[SOLVED]Mint 12 (Lisa) & Ralink Wifi card running SLOW...

[stantonworrier]

Hi all
I am a relative noob to Linux I have built a test machine:
Dual CPU AMD Opetron 250 @ 2.4ghz
6 gib Ram
512mib Graphics Card

Linux Mint 12 (Gnome 3.2.1)
Kernel Linux 3.2.9-030209-generic

My issue is that I have a 300mbs Ralink Wifi card (an ADD-NWP210) that runs erratically (drops out and the only way t get it back is to turn it off and on again). Linux report that the card peaks between 6mbs and 13mbs. The AP is on a 30Mbit cable connection.

The Test PC is situated approx 12 feet from the Wifi AP and signal strength is excellent. The Test PC is a dual boot with WinXP pro 64bit and the card consistently runs at 270mbs in Windoze.

T.I.A.

Simon


Screen snatch:

simon@simon-desktop ~ $ inxi -N
Network: Card-1 Intel 82541GI Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver e1000
Card-2 Ralink Device 3062 driver rt2800pci

simon@simon-desktop ~ $ lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] AMD-8151 System Controller (rev 14)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] AMD-8151 AGP Bridge (rev 14)
00:06.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] AMD-8111 PCI (rev 07)
00:07.0 ISA bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] AMD-8111 LPC (rev 05)
00:07.1 IDE interface: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] AMD-8111 IDE (rev 03)
00:07.2 SMBus: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] AMD-8111 SMBus 2.0 (rev 02)
00:07.3 Bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] AMD-8111 ACPI (rev 05)
00:07.5 Multimedia audio controller: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] AMD-8111 AC97 Audio (rev 03)
00:18.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] HyperTransport Technology Configuration
00:18.1 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Address Map
00:18.2 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] DRAM Controller
00:18.3 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Miscellaneous Control
00:19.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] HyperTransport Technology Configuration
00:19.1 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Address Map
00:19.2 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] DRAM Controller
00:19.3 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Miscellaneous Control
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc RV570 [Radeon X1950 Pro] (rev 9a)
01:00.1 Display controller: ATI Technologies Inc RV570 [Radeon X1950 Pro] (secondary) (rev 9a)
02:00.0 USB Controller: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] AMD-8111 USB OHCI (rev 0b)
02:00.1 USB Controller: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] AMD-8111 USB OHCI (rev 0b)
02:03.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82541GI Gigabit Ethernet Controller
02:04.0 Network controller: Ralink corp. Device 3062
02:05.0 Mass storage controller: Silicon Image, Inc. SiI 3114 [SATALink/SATARaid] Serial ATA Controller (rev 02)
02:0b.0 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (rev 61)
02:0b.1 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (rev 61)
02:0b.2 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. USB 2.0 (rev 63)

simon@simon-desktop ~ $ sudo /usr/lib/linuxmint/mintWifi/mintWifi.py
[sudo] password for simon:
-------------------------
* I. scanning WIFI PCI devices...
-- Ralink corp. Device 3062
==> PCI ID = 1814:3062
-------------------------
* II. querying ndiswrapper...
-------------------------
* III. querying iwconfig...
lo no wireless extensions.

wlan0 IEEE 802.11bgn ESSID:"bs4wap"
Mode:Managed Frequency:2.462 GHz Access Point: C4:3D:C7:42:29:78
Bit Rate=13 Mb/s Tx-Power=20 dBm
Retry long limit:7 RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Encryption key:off
Power Management:off
Link Quality=63/70 Signal level=-47 dBm
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:2812 Invalid misc:177 Missed beacon:0

eth0 no wireless extensions.

-------------------------
* IV. querying ifconfig...
eth0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:e0:81:2d:fe:f4
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)

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:23 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:23 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
RX bytes:1750 (1.7 KB) TX bytes:1750 (1.7 KB)

wlan0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr c8:3a:35:c0:64:fd
inet addr:192.168.10.9 Bcast:192.168.10.255 Mask:255.255.255.0
inet6 addr: fe80::ca3a:35ff:fec0:64fd/64 Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:5054 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:3538 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:6672642 (6.6 MB) TX bytes:457579 (457.5 KB)

-------------------------
* V. querying DHCP...
Rather than invoking init scripts through /etc/init.d, use the service(8)
utility, e.g. service smbd reload

Since the script you are attempting to invoke has been converted to an
Upstart job, you may also use the reload(8) utility, e.g. reload smbd
RTNETLINK answers: File exists
-------------------------
* VI. querying nslookup google.com...
Server: 194.168.4.100
Address: 194.168.4.100#53

Non-authoritative answer:
Name: google.com
Address: 173.194.41.105
Name: google.com
Address: 173.194.41.99
Name: google.com
Address: 173.194.41.102
Name: google.com
Address: 173.194.41.104
Name: google.com
Address: 173.194.41.98
Name: google.com
Address: 173.194.41.101
Name: google.com
Address: 173.194.41.96
Name: google.com
Address: 173.194.41.100
Name: google.com
Address: 173.194.41.103
Name: google.com
Address: 173.194.41.97
Name: google.com
Address: 173.194.41.110

simon@simon-desktop ~ $

[phoenix1963]

Simon, I'm afraid I'm no expert, but I have the same card (running in g mode, so I can't comment directly on the speed issue).
You may see above in my struggle to get this card work I ended up compiling the Ralink driver and disabling the default driver.

I think from the diagnostics you post that you may be using the default driver - that may be your problem because it's actually for the RT2860 not your RT3060.

You could try compiling the Ralink driver. I posted links to the method above http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=98209 .
phoenix1963

[stantonworrier]

Simon, I'm afraid I'm no expert, but I have the same card (running in g mode, so I can't comment directly on the speed issue).
You may see above in my struggle to get this card work I ended up compiling the Ralink driver and disabling the default driver.

I think from the diagnostics you post that you may be using the default driver - that may be your problem because it's actually for the RT2860 not your RT3060.

You could try compiling the Ralink driver. I posted links to the method above http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=98209 .
phoenix1963

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for the point in the right direction. I see what you mean about the wrong chipset driver. I have also found the post on the Ubuntu forums ( http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.p ... 08095.html) that confirms your findings. I have never used a compiler before but I will give it a go and let you know the results.

Simon

[phoenix1963]

You'll need the linux-source package before you compile, I didn't bother with the gcc one the ubuntu folks recommend. You need to be a little careful about differences between Mint and Ubuntu I think.

It's a bit confusing that the Ralink 3060 files seem the same as the 2860 ones, but I think there's a crucial difference in an extra directory with some chipset headers.

A minor point- I had to extract the Ralink compile folder with the "mount archive" tool or some such thing because the extractor didn't recognise the compression format - some odd Mint glitch.

Good luck,
phoenix1963

[stantonworrier]

Thanks again for the help. I have the CD that came with that card it has the linux drivers on it. I will try with them and update the post.

Simon

[phoenix1963]

I tried that first and it didn't work for me, but then that might have been my failure to disable the default driver.

If you want me to post a full set of instructions I can, but would have to move to my desktop machine in the next room. I'm off work with the lurgy, but it's nice to be able to help .
phoenix1963

[phoenix1963]

First download the drivers from here (it will ask for your email, seems innocent!) http://www.ralinktech.com/en/04_support/license.php?sn=5019 - I would open it directly in the Archive Manager when asked, it makes things easier.

Drag-and-drop the folder DPO_RT3562_3592_3062_LinuxSTA_V2.4.1.1_20101217 onto your desktop.

Start the Software Manager: Menu->Software Manager
type "linux-source" in its search box, click on the linux-source icon to install.

Start a Terminal: Menu->Terminal

Click in the Terminal and type the following:

Code: Select all

cd Desktop/DPO*/os/linux
gedit config.mk


Now you will need to find two lines in the editor that has opened, namely "HAS_WPA_SUPPLICANT=n" and "HAS_NATIVE_WPA_SUPPLICANT_SUPPORT=n".
Change both these to "HAS_WPA_SUPPLICANT=y" and "HAS_NATIVE_WPA_SUPPLICANT_SUPPORT=y".
Save the file (Control-S will do) and exit gedit.

Go back to your Terminal and type the following:

Code: Select all

cd ../..
make


You should be in the top level directory DPO_RT3562_3592_3062_LinuxSTA_V2.4.1.1_20101217 at this point.
It will take some time. If there are any "1" or "2" errors it is likely that linux-source hasn't been installed.

Then type:

Code: Select all

sudo make install

Almost last, you need to disable the default drivers by starting the editor by typing in the Terminal:

Code: Select all

sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf


And in the editor, add the following lines at the end:

Code: Select all

# blacklist for rt3562sta
blacklist rt2800pci
blacklist rt2800lib
blacklist rt2800usb
blacklist rt2x00pci
blacklist rt2x00lib
blacklist rt2x00usb


Finally, to load the drivers at boot you need to edit /etc/modules, type the following into the Terminal:

Code: Select all

sudo gedit  /etc/modules


and add as the last line:

Code: Select all

rt3562sta.ko


Save (Control-S, or the menu) and exit the editor.
Now reboot the system.
Now I THINK that's all you need to do! The Ubuntu forums suggest you need to switch on the driver, but the reboot should do that.

I feel a bit better now, too much moving around and yuck!

phoenix1963

[stantonworrier]

I am grateful for your efforts many thanks I will let you know when I get to sorting this out.

Simon

[ddalley]

Can LM not supply the fix through updates, especially for other users who may not know what is going on, either with the problem or how to fix it?

[ddalley]

I have yet to get the driver created, since the make process keeps on getting errors.

As far as Synaptic is concerned, both versions of linux-source are installed and are not flagged with errors.

However... make keeps on getting errors with the linux-source-3.0.0 part.

Code: Select all

make: *** /lib/modules/3.0.0-16-generic/build: No such file or directory.  Stop.
make: *** [LINUX] Error 2


When I check that folder, there is nothing with "build" in its name.

Full stop.

Can anyone make the compiled file available for downloading?

[phoenix1963]

I'm sorry to report that I get a kernel panic after about 400 MB network transfer following my "solution" above.

Apologies, to all, it really looked as if it was working. I presume there's a bug or incompatability in those Ralink drivers.

I don't know what to do now, as I can't even access my WPA2 wifi with the default drivers.

@ddailey: I don't have that file /lib/modules/3.0.0-16-generic/build either, but my compile worked.

phoenix1963

[ddalley]

I don't know what to do now, as I can't even access my WPA2 wifi with the default drivers.

Because the install script doesn't blacklist the r8169 module, a reboot may help fix that.
It seems to be unloaded with the rmmod but not deleted.

I still have no clue as to why this script fails, but it does, and I'm getting nowhere fast.

[stantonworrier]

I'm sorry to report that I get a kernel panic after about 400 MB network transfer following my "solution" above.

Apologies, to all, it really looked as if it was working. I presume there's a bug or incompatability in those Ralink drivers.

I don't know what to do now, as I can't even access my WPA2 wifi with the default drivers.

@ddailey: I don't have that file /lib/modules/3.0.0-16-generic/build either, but my compile worked.

phoenix1963

Phoenix
I successfully followed your step by step and can report that Mint is now reporting that the card has a link speed of 270mps. I have tested it by moving large files around my network and downloading from the net. To date I have not experienced the issue with the Kernel panic you reported in your last post.

Thanks

Simon

[phoenix1963]

@Simon - I'm delighted I was able to help. It's weird it doesn't wholly work for me!

@ddailey: Blacklisting the r8169 module didn't help.

I suggest we move my problem back to http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=98356 .

phoenix1963

[phoenix1963]

Simon - As you have the same card, can you please do me a favour and post the results of the command:

Code: Select all

lspci -v

?

I only need the bit about the card, like this:

Code: Select all

01:09.0 Network controller: Ralink corp. Device 3062
   Subsystem: Ralink corp. Device 3062
   Flags: bus master, slow devsel, latency 32, IRQ 17
   Memory at e9000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=64K]
   Capabilities: <access denied>
   Kernel driver in use: rt2860
   Kernel modules: rt3562sta, rt2800pci


Thanks in advance,
phoenix1963

[stantonworrier]

If I can help in any way (log files etc) please let me know.

Simon

[ddalley]

OK, I finally found out why my driver would not compile.

A few weeks ago, I had installed the Linux header files for devs (as per instructions) and, since there were no signs of problems or complaints from the system, I figured they were OK. They were listed with exclamation marks in the installed list, so I had to manually update them.

After I did that, the driver compiled.

I have no idea why the system would not correct their state automatically, but it didn't, and it didn't warn me of any issues.