Ubuntu driver for SMCWUSB-N2 WIFI adapter not working. Alternatives?
 

I am using Xubuntu distribution, and just installed the SMCWUSB-N2 wireless adapter in a Compaq desktop (around year 2000). The adapter is recognised and starts working fine with the "default" (built-in) Xubuntu driver, but after 2 to 4 minutes, the adapter shuts down and internet connection is lost.
I have tried installing windows adapters using ndiswrapper, with different outocomes, none sucessful. Vista driver is installed and adapter recognised, but will not work. XP driver is installed but adapter is not recognised.
According to SMC support, linux is not supported by this model.
I wonder is someone had the same problem and was able to solve it.
This is an old Compaq computer i am restoring for my daughter, and wouldn't mind installing any other linux distribution if this problem is solved.

Model Number: SMCWUSB-N2
Part Number: 98-012084-705INT
Serial Number: T393609572
Operating system: Xubuntu


Thanks to everyone.

Don't pay any attention to this sort of comment. It just means they don't offer linux support, not that it doesn't exist.

But, if it doesn't work with vista or xp, and it only partly works with linux, I expect the device or your MoBo is broken.

Have you tried the wireless adapter in another computer?

Welcome to LQ.

Thanks for your quick reply, tredegar. I still did not test the USB WIFI adapter ( SMCWUSB-N2 ) in my notebook. I will install it and will let you know if it works in my Dell XPS M1330.

Regards

Discarded device failure. It's been working properly for over 3 hours on my Dell Notebook (OS Vista).

So the device works OK on another computer.

But there are problems recognising it on your (old) Compaq. Perhaps the Compaq is at fault:
- Check USB options in the BIOS
- Try different USB sockets
- Do other USB devices work?

If it is being "seen", it should show up when you give the command lsusb in a terminal. If it does show up, please tell us its device ID (Eg 046d:c03e )

this is it:

Bus 001 Device 002: ID 0cf3:1002 Atheros Communications, Inc. TP-Link TL-WN821N v2 [Atheros AR9001U-(2)NG]

wlan0 IEEE 802.11bg ESSID:"WLANDE8410"
Mode:Managed Frequency:2.422 GHz Access Point: Not-Associated
Tx-Power=20 dBm
Retry long limit:7 RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Encryption key:off
Power Management:off

Ok.
It is being "seen", which is good.

I suggest you install wicd and use that to get your connection up and running.

Wicd is currently much more reliable than network-manager when it comes to configuring wireless interfaces.

more info.

it connects once:

[ 1266.923547] ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
[ 1269.764956] wlan0: deauthenticating from 00:22:2d:3d:e8:36 by local choice (reason=3)
[ 1269.765242] wlan0: direct probe to AP 00:22:2d:3d:e8:36 (try 1)
[ 1269.769351] wlan0: direct probe responded
[ 1269.769369] wlan0: authenticate with AP 00:22:2d:3d:e8:36 (try 1)
[ 1269.771944] wlan0: authenticated
[ 1269.772266] wlan0: associate with AP 00:22:2d:3d:e8:36 (try 1)
[ 1269.787949] wlan0: RX AssocResp from 00:22:2d:3d:e8:36 (capab=0x431 status=0 aid=1)
[ 1269.787964] wlan0: associated

and suddly its stops:

[ 1269.802852] ADDRCONF(NETDEV_CHANGE): wlan0: link becomes ready
[ 1287.268266] wlan0: no IPv6 routers present
[ 1310.384885] eth0: link down
[ 1351.836086] No probe response from AP 00:22:2d:3d:e8:36 after 500ms, disconnecting.
[ 1354.528109] wlan0: direct probe to AP 00:22:2d:3d:e8:36 (try 1)
[ 1354.728073] wlan0: direct probe to AP 00:22:2d:3d:e8:36 (try 2)
[ 1354.928085] wlan0: direct probe to AP 00:22:2d:3d:e8:36 (try 3)
[ 1355.128091] wlan0: direct probe to AP 00:22:2d:3d:e8:36 timed out
[ 1551.580091] usb 1-1: kill pending tx urbs.
[ 1553.027872] ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
[ 1645.565621] ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
[ 1731.354203] ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready

Are you using wicd or nm to set it up?

It might be worth disabling IPV6

It's an OLD MoBo, as I said before, check your BIOS settings for USB and also unset "PnP BIOS" if it is available/set in your BIOS setup.

Finally working for many hours without interruption!!!
 

Well, that was a good advice. I installed WICD and followed step by step the instruction to install AR9170.fw driver for Device 002: ID 0cf3:1002 Atheros Communications, Inc. TP-Link TL-WN821N v2 [Atheros AR9001U-(2)NG]
which is the chipset of SMC's SMCWUSB-N2 device.

BTW, I uninstalled Ubuntu and installed Debian.

I can say now to all the guys with my problem, that this device DOES WORK (AT LEAST) UNDER DEBIAN DISTRO, and wicd should be used to install the AR9170 driver