(Resolved) DWA-140 Wireless Card (ralink chipset)

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mt01

(Resolved) DWA-140 Wireless Card (ralink chipset)

Post by mt01 »

Hello everyone,
I am as the topic suggested using a D-Link DWA-140 wireless usb adapter (ralink chipset) under linux Mint 10 "Julia", the card worked right out of the box. Even the liveCD had no problems loading this card for use, i was able to view wireless networks and even connect to them. I've had many problems with this particular card on just about every distro i've come across, so just seeing it working under Mint 10 is a big KUDOS to the Mint team. I'm honestly not sure which driver version they have installed to make it run, but i am having a few minor issues with connectivity that i dont have under windows. I can connect to wireless networks and get internet directly from the public access point (unsecured) right outside of my house.. the problem occurs randomly where it'll just disconnect from the network.. and sometimes i have to unplug and re-seat the card back into the USB port in order to get it running again. I have noticed that connectivity is a bit better when the card is under load, like when watching youtube videos, it may stay active 8 minutes or so before disconnecting as opposed to 2-5 minutes approx.

(newbie questions)
Does linux use any kind of "Keep Alive" signal for wireless networking?
Could this be a product of the third party drivers, since the card likely was never intended for linux use?
How valid is the claim that WiCD is "unstable"..? it didnt seem unstable to me in that the wireless manager never "crashed" or anything..

Any Ideas or Suggestions would be welcomed greatly

I am presently logged into my Windows partition to write this post so i apologize i couldnt get the information requested in the "before you post please read this" sticky.
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
TBABill
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Re: DWA-140 Wireless Card (ralink chipset)

Post by TBABill »

I personally would not fear trying wicd instead of any other network manager. Worst case, just reinstall the old one. Your hardware issue could just be a flaky interface with the NM, as you already suspect, so experimenting shouldn't hurt anything as long as you can just put it back like it was if it fails. Track what you install/uninstall and just return it to its previous state if you see no improvement.
mt01

Re: DWA-140 Wireless Card (ralink chipset)

Post by mt01 »

I attempted to use wicd to connect to the wireless access point outside, and that failed entirely wicd would hang on "Obtaining IP Address" and then just fail to connect. NM connects with no problem here is the output from mintwifi.

sudo /usr/lib/linuxmint/mintWifi/mintWifi.py
[sudo] password for mtorres139:
-------------------------
* I. scanning WIFI PCI devices...
-------------------------
* II. querying ndiswrapper...
-------------------------
* III. querying iwconfig...
lo no wireless extensions.

eth0 no wireless extensions.

eth1 no wireless extensions.

wlan0 IEEE 802.11bgn ESSID:"BIG BEND RV PARK"
Mode:Managed Frequency:2.427 GHz Access Point: 00:1F:D4:00:52:4B
Bit Rate=48 Mb/s Tx-Power=5 dBm
Retry long limit:7 RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Encryption key:off
Power Management:on
Link Quality=70/70 Signal level=63 dBm
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:0 Invalid misc:0 Missed beacon:0

-------------------------
* IV. querying ifconfig...
eth0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:01:29:d5:fe:5d
inet6 addr: fe80::201:29ff:fed5:fe5d/64 Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:1 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:32 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:256 (256.0 B) TX bytes:4835 (4.8 KB)
Interrupt:18

eth1 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 16:5d:dd:94:e9:3b
UP BROADCAST MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:0 (0.0 B) TX bytes:0 (0.0 B)
Interrupt:23 Base address:0x2000

lo Link encap:Local Loopback
inet addr:127.0.0.1 Mask:255.0.0.0
inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
UP LOOPBACK RUNNING MTU:16436 Metric:1
RX packets:135 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:135 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
RX bytes:9976 (9.9 KB) TX bytes:9976 (9.9 KB)

wlan0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:21:91:7e:d8:1f
inet addr:192.168.11.76 Bcast:192.168.11.255 Mask:255.255.255.0
inet6 addr: fe80::221:91ff:fe7e:d81f/64 Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:808 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:948 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:601819 (601.8 KB) TX bytes:172176 (172.1 KB)

-------------------------
* V. querying DHCP...
Internet Systems Consortium DHCP Client V3.1.3
Copyright 2004-2009 Internet Systems Consortium.
All rights reserved.
For info, please visit https://www.isc.org/software/dhcp/

Listening on LPF/eth1/16:5d:dd:94:e9:3b
Sending on LPF/eth1/16:5d:dd:94:e9:3b
Listening on LPF/eth0/00:01:29:d5:fe:5d
Sending on LPF/eth0/00:01:29:d5:fe:5d
Listening on LPF/wlan0/00:21:91:7e:d8:1f
Sending on LPF/wlan0/00:21:91:7e:d8:1f
Sending on Socket/fallback
DHCPDISCOVER on eth1 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 3
DHCPDISCOVER on eth0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 3
DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 3
DHCPOFFER of 192.168.11.76 from 192.168.11.1
DHCPREQUEST of 192.168.11.76 on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67
DHCPACK of 192.168.11.76 from 192.168.11.1
bound to 192.168.11.76 -- renewal in 8137 seconds.
-------------------------
* VI. querying nslookup google.com...
Server: 24.205.192.61
Address: 24.205.192.61#53

Non-authoritative answer:
Name: google.com
Address: 74.125.224.49
Name: google.com
Address: 74.125.224.48
Name: google.com
Address: 74.125.224.50
Name: google.com
Address: 74.125.224.51
Name: google.com
Address: 74.125.224.52

That being said, my wireless internet comes from a public gateway outside my home and has almost all ports blocked i dont know if that could be causing problems with wicd or not, but it seems like information i should share.
capt

Re: DWA-140 Wireless Card (ralink chipset)

Post by capt »

Here's my guess on your problem? Look at the Tx-Power =5 dbm ( from your mint wifi list ) I have this problem also with a RT2571 chipset Raylink usb adapter. I have other usb adapters that show Tx-Power = 28 dBm and performance is MUCH better. I have found Linux drivers are crap. Example, on the same computer with same adapter I have connected over 500' away through window glass both buildings and can watch utube video the connection is so good, using Win XP. With 4 different Linux OS (M-8 M-9 M10 etc. none can even see the AP, even taking a laptop outside on a balcony. I'm curious if you have the same chipset? I may try using the windows driver or the one from Raylink but don't want to do a re-install right now if I trash my OS. :?
TBABill
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Re: DWA-140 Wireless Card (ralink chipset)

Post by TBABill »

Perhaps checking to see if any power saving features are enabled that would disable to connectivity for any reason? Some people set various configs to limit power consumption, usually on battery, but even if you are using a performance setting it's possible something is disabling the device as part of the config of the power saving settings. Just a guess, but seems to happen when either used less or not at all?
mt01

Re: DWA-140 Wireless Card (ralink chipset)

Post by mt01 »

@capt the chipset i believe this card uses is RT2870, so you are correct mostly the same driver version and chipset..
how did you fix your problems or did you just change to another card? it sounded to me like you've done some expirimentation with various cards.

@TBABILL Honestly i dont know if it is a power save setting, this is default settings for the install and its a brand new install as of three days ago and i have not really messed around with it a whole lot due to connectivity issues. Though i will look at the power save settings to see if they could be getting in the way.
TBABill
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Re: DWA-140 Wireless Card (ralink chipset)

Post by TBABill »

mt01 wrote:@capt the chipset i believe this card uses is RT2870, so you are correct mostly the same driver version and chipset..
how did you fix your problems or did you just change to another card? it sounded to me like you've done some expirimentation with various cards.

@TBABILL Honestly i dont know if it is a power save setting, this is default settings for the install and its a brand new install as of three days ago and i have not really messed around with it a whole lot due to connectivity issues. Though i will look at the power save settings to see if they could be getting in the way.
Interesting that you use the RT2870. Can you open two files and paste their contents? They are /etc/modules and /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf

Thanks! Could just be a matter of a conflict. The 2860 and 2870 both have had issues with how they are setup by default.
mt01

Re: DWA-140 Wireless Card (ralink chipset)

Post by mt01 »

@TBABill Here are the file dumps you requested

/etc/modules:
------------
# /etc/modules: kernel modules to load at boot time.
#
# This file contains the names of kernel modules that should be loaded
# at boot time, one per line. Lines beginning with "#" are ignored.

lp
rtc

----
EOF


/etc/modprobe.d/blacklists.conf:
--------------------

# This file lists those modules which we don't want to be loaded by
# alias expansion, usually so some other driver will be loaded for the
# device instead.

# evbug is a debug tool that should be loaded explicitly
blacklist evbug

# these drivers are very simple, the HID drivers are usually preferred
blacklist usbmouse
blacklist usbkbd

# replaced by e100
blacklist eepro100

# replaced by tulip
blacklist de4x5

# causes no end of confusion by creating unexpected network interfaces
blacklist eth1394

# snd_intel8x0m can interfere with snd_intel8x0, doesn't seem to support much
# hardware on its own (Ubuntu bug #2011, #6810)
blacklist snd_intel8x0m

# Conflicts with dvb driver (which is better for handling this device)
blacklist snd_aw2

# causes failure to suspend on HP compaq nc6000 (Ubuntu: #10306)
blacklist i2c_i801

# replaced by p54pci
blacklist prism54

# replaced by b43 and ssb.
blacklist bcm43xx

# most apps now use garmin usb driver directly (Ubuntu: #114565)
blacklist garmin_gps

# replaced by asus-laptop (Ubuntu: #184721)
blacklist asus_acpi

# low-quality, just noise when being used for sound playback, causes
# hangs at desktop session start (Ubuntu: #246969)
blacklist snd_pcsp

# ugly and loud noise, getting on everyone's nerves; this should be done by a
# nice pulseaudio bing (Ubuntu: #77010)
blacklist pcspkr

# EDAC driver for amd76x clashes with the agp driver preventing the aperture
# from being initialised (Ubuntu: #297750). Blacklist so that the driver
# continues to build and is installable for the few cases where its
# really needed.
blacklist amd76x_edac


-----
EOF
TBABill
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Re: DWA-140 Wireless Card (ralink chipset)

Post by TBABill »

I don't see your driver listed at all in modules. Can you do the following:

Code: Select all

sudo gedit /etc/modules
(if in KDE, then "sudo kate...." instead)

Then add the following to the end of that file and save:

Code: Select all

rt2870sta
Then

Code: Select all

sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
(if in KDE, then "sudo kate ...." instead)

And add the following to the end and save:

Code: Select all

blacklist rt2800pci
blacklist rt2800usb
blacklist rt2x00lib
blacklist rt2x00pci
blacklist rt2x00usb
Then restart and see if it works.
capt

Re: DWA-140 Wireless Card (ralink chipset)

Post by capt »

[quote="mt01"]@capt the chipset i believe this card uses is RT2870, so you are correct mostly the same driver version and chipset..
how did you fix your problems or did you just change to another card? it sounded to me like you've done some expirimentation with various cards.

mt01, I have a few older reliable adapters I use when traveling. They are ok if close to the signal like in a coffe shop. The problem ones are higher powered longer range that I would like to use but only seem to like Win XP! For home I found the best solution is a Engenius EOC2611P. This works as well with Linux as Windows, very high tech and is set up through your web browser. This is a solution for long range! :)
mt01

Re: DWA-140 Wireless Card (ralink chipset)

Post by mt01 »

@TBABill I'm not sure which driver version that mint is using, but when i looked up the model of this card, ubuntu forums etc, every place i looked referred to it as (rt2770/2870).
is there a command for me to see the wireless driver version being used? (still pretty new to linux) With that information i could tell you exactly which version it's using
mt01

Re: DWA-140 Wireless Card (ralink chipset)

Post by mt01 »

just as a side note, i am considering purchasing a wireless card from newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

Which when you read the System Requirements, it says: "Works with Windows 98SE/ME/200/XP/Vista/Linux kernel v 2.6.6 and up"

its a cheap card but i figure it it works correctly right out of the box on both OS's it's worth the money, we'll see i have not committed to
the purchase just yet but it's cheap enough and if i do i'll post it's performance here.

Also if anyone happens to already have this card i'd like to hear about that as well..
mt01

Re: DWA-140 Wireless Card (ralink chipset)

Post by mt01 »

@TBABill Those adjustments you suggested to /etc/modules and /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf cleared up all my problems, i'm now operating at -65 dBm and streaming a youtube video in the background and operating almost as fast as windows with this DWA-140 wireless card so thank you so much for the help! This issue was solved for me!
TBABill
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Posts: 1355
Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2009 1:02 pm
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Re: DWA-140 Wireless Card (ralink chipset)

Post by TBABill »

mt01 wrote:@TBABill Those adjustments you suggested to /etc/modules and /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf cleared up all my problems, i'm now operating at -65 dBm and streaming a youtube video in the background and operating almost as fast as windows with this DWA-140 wireless card so thank you so much for the help! This issue was solved for me!
You are very welcome mt01! For some reason the Ralink drivers enable, but improperly. The user ends up with conflicting drivers so certain ones have to be blacklisted and the proper one enabled. Best regards!
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