Atheros AR9271 works only when I switch ON Laptop wifi (HP8710W)

sl13 · 08-24-2013, 11:09 AM

The problem arise about one month ago (after some of the current upgrade through slackpkg).
There is no way I could turn on my TP Link WN722N USB wi-fi card, until I turn on my Laptop (Intel 4965 AG ) wi-fi card.
Mostly, Intel "wins" TP link and take over the wi-fi connection. The reason why I want my USB wifi card to use is less hotness in and around my laptop and greater battery life.
Again, that was possible earlier.

What can I do? What to configure?
I have used WICD, Now I am trying networkmanager, but without desired result.

cynwulf · 08-25-2013, 09:20 AM

I'm not sure what you mean by "turn on"? If you're referring to the physical kill switch on the laptop itself? Then it may be that this switch somehow disables the radio on both devices. In that case you want to leave that switch alone...

You don't need to disable the device. You can set network manager to use wlanX (where X is the number of the device). The other device won't be used, if it is, then you need to remove it's configuration as it's probably set up to connect automatically.

If you just want it disabled then the best way to disable the unwanted device is to blacklist the kernel module(s) it uses as follows

Code:

echo "blacklist iwlegacy" > /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-iwlegacy.conf

It may also be a good idea, though probably unnecessary, to blacklist some of the other intel wireless kernel modules. So you could edit the above blacklist file and some other relevant modules

Code:

blacklist iwlegacy
blacklist iwlwifi
blacklist ipw2200

At this point reboot. The interface (presumably wlan0) for the intel wireless NIC should be gone.

Ensure that you have radio enabled (as if you are enabling the laptop's intel wifi). Verify this with

Code:

$ rfkill list

Then

Code:

# ifconfig

Should not show the extra interface, it should only show e.g. wlan1. You should then configure network manager to use that device.

sl13 · 08-25-2013, 02:38 PM

Thanks for reply.
First,to answer you, yes I think on hardware switch on my laptop.
Second, I don't won't to disable my integrated wireless, because I am using it, outside the house. That mean, I want to use both of wireless adapters (HP wifi and USB wifi),like before. (Maybe, we must wait for next Slackware stable release. or someone to fix the bug) I don't plan to restore my system from current to 14.0 initial release. Everything else works perfect, as for now.