WLAN LED under Kubuntu 9.10

[king_ben]

Hey Folks!

It's so cool to have special support for Linux on NC10. I installed Linux many times so far, but always returned to Windows for usability reasons. Finally, Ubuntu and its derivates seem to be what I waited for. So, I gave it a try and installed Kubuntu 9.10 on a new partition on my NC10. It worked fine, most hardware seemed to work out of the box, but not the Fn-Keys. But luckily I found this site.

I installed the scripts, and that was easy enough for even a total Linux newbie like me. After a reboot, I could use the Fn-Keys. Seemed to work as far as I can tell, except for one thing: When switching the wireless network on and off, I got a popup on my screen telling me it was on or off now. However, the state of the WLAN LED did not change.

• Is that normal?
• Does it mean that WLAN is not really switched on or off?
• Or is the LED status of no significance?

It would be far more comforting to have this working correctly, there are situations when you want to know at a glance whether or not WLAN is running.

Oh, and another question: I have no idea how to get the built-in UMTS/HSPA/3G modem to work. I entered all the data in the network manager, but when I choose the mobile broadband connection from the tray icon, it just tells me something like "Disconnected" or so. Are there any tutorials how to start a connection on Linux?

Regards
Ben

[Nixus Maximus]

hm, I'm using Ubuntu 9.10 and the wlan LED turns on and off when pressing the buttons. Maybe you should install Powertop and look if it still consumes power when turned off.

Coming to the 3G connection, I had the same problem with connecting via a mobile phone. Seems to be a bug in Network-Manager. You may try using the daily builds:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:network-manager/trunk

and update the system afterwards.

That worked for me!

Cheers,
NM

[king_ben]

Thanks for the reply! So if you use Ubuntu, maybe the LED issue is due to me using Kubuntu...? Another thing: I switched the integrated 802.11g card for a draft n model, that could be the reason too, I guess.

[voria]

No, the problem is not related to Kubuntu.
My scripts insert/remove the 'ath5k' module in order to enable/disable the wireless card, so they don't work for you because they are specific for the original wireless card shipped with NC10.
You have to manually edit the file '/usr/lib/nc10/wifi.sh' and change the 'ath5k' module with the one used by your new wireless card.

[king_ben]

Okay, thanks for the explanation! I'll try that.

[OphiuchuS]

May I ask if you managed to get the light off? I'm asking this because I've got the exact same problem (using Kubuntu on the N140 though) and I'm not happy with this issue.

kind regards

[king_ben]

Hi!

I'm sorry, but I didn't have the time to try lately. Plus, I ordered a replacement WLAN card, so I figured it made no sense to try it.

Regards
Ben

[OphiuchuS]

Hmm too bad...

I'd be really satisfied with Kubuntu IF the Fn Keys would work correctly and IF the Light would go off when turning off Wlan and IF the powermanager would state the expected length of the battery remaining and IF these strange freezes would go away...

Well wait 'n see I guess.

[voria]

On my kubuntu the LED turns off when wireless is disabled.

I don't know what wireless card the N140 is shipped with, probably is different from the one in NC10?
If so, find the kernel module used by your wireless card, and set it in /etc/default/nc10-scripts (replacing 'ath5k').

[OphiuchuS]

I've already changed it to ath9k I can turn off WLAN but the light's still on.

[voria]

Please try this command to disable wireless:

Code: Select all

sudo iwconfig wlan0 txpower off

and this one to enable it:

Code: Select all

sudo iwconfig wlan0 txpower auto

Let me know if they work.
I'm considering to change the way my scripts work (I think module removal is not needed anymore in any case).

[OphiuchuS]

They both work, but the light is still on. Strange...