iwlist

davidcollins001 · 12-29-2008, 11:53 AM

Hi,

I have just installed debian etch onto a Dell Inspiron 9100. Up until this afternoon I had the wireless working well. I was able to see about 9 different wireless networks, and then now it is not working.

It is a broadcom chipset that I managed to get working using the b43-fwcutter tool.

The kernel module is installed:

Code:

sandangel:~# modprobe -l | grep bcm43
/lib/modules/2.6.18-6-686/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/bcm43xx/bcm43xx.ko

The kernel does recognise the wireless card:

Code:

sandangel:~# iwconfig eth2
eth2      IEEE 802.11b/g  ESSID:off/any  Nickname:"Broadcom 4306"
          Mode:Managed  Frequency=2.484 GHz  Access Point: Invalid
          Bit Rate=1 Mb/s   Tx-Power=15 dBm
          RTS thr:off   Fragment thr:off
          Encryption key:off
          Link Quality:0  Signal level:0  Noise level:0
          Rx invalid nwid:0  Rx invalid crypt:0  Rx invalid frag:0
          Tx excessive retries:0  Invalid misc:0   Missed beacon:0

But I am unable to scan for aps:

Code:

sandangel:~# iwlist eth2 scan
eth2      No scan results

Does anyone have any ideas why this suddenly broke? I have googled about and not managed to find anything that solves this problem.

Thanks

farslayer · 12-29-2008, 03:02 PM

did you do any updates recently ? Was there a kernel update included ? if so you may need to rebuild the bcm43 module.

interesting another post with about the same exact problem.. I wonder if he found a resolution. I wish people would post back when they solve their issues..
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...cm4312-666698/

from the b43 FAQ

Code:

Q: It all loaded but my signal strength is 0

A: If iwconfig shows
    *      Link Quality:0 Signal level:0 

then you may have wireless disabled in the BIOS. Check for things like "Wireless : Application Control".

Disabled by Switch or function key on Laptop perhaps ?

davidcollins001 · 12-29-2008, 03:39 PM

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. I feel a bit silly! After reading your reply I tried pressing a few buttons that may be linked to the wireless, and all of a sudden it worked. I didn't think they worked.

As an aside is there a package that will display a dialog to show me that the button has been pressed?

Thanks

farslayer · 12-29-2008, 03:57 PM

typically if a function key is tied to wireless power it will have a blue icon like an antenna printed on the key..

so you would press FN+F2 to enable/disable wireless. (some posts indicated that is the key combo for your laptop, See page 50 of the Inspiron 9100 Owners manual for other key combos..)