Airlink101 model #AWLL6075 finds network but drops packets in Ubuntu 12.10

Question

I'm running Ubuntu 12.10, 32-bit, and trying to get hooked up to wireless (I've been using ethernet until now, and it's no longer possible where I am living). I could try to set up a router with DD-WRT as an access point if I have to, but I already have an AirLink101 Golden N (model AWLL6075) dongle and would rather use that if possible. Ubuntu finds it okay, and it finds the network okay, and when I enter the password it tells me I've connected to the network - but nothing loads. Chrome just gives me "Unable to connect to the Internet" or "This website is unavailable," and when I do ifconfig, it shows a LOT of packet loss. What do I do? Is it a driver issue (I'm using whatever Ubuntu came with)? Or something else? Other devices in the house work fine.

Partial ifconfig:

wlan0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:21:2f:35:6d:2f inet addr:192.168.1.29 Bcast:192.168.1.255 Mask:255.255.255.0 inet6 addr: fe80::221:2fff:fe35:6d2f/64 Scope:Link UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1 RX packets:39469 errors:0 dropped:445553 overruns:0 frame:0 TX packets:34526 errors:0 dropped:1014 overruns:0 carrier:0 collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000 RX bytes:27667361 (27.6 MB) TX bytes:7729976 (7.7 MB)

It eventually started "working," but still drops a lot of packets and stops working sporadically.

Please help us help you. You mention ifconfig shows a lot of packet loss. Show us. The more information you provide, the better the question and the better the answer — Elder Geek, May 05 '14 at 20:43
what model Airlink 101 do you have? Perhaps you can recognize it from http://airlink101.com/products/wireless.php — Elder Geek, May 05 '14 at 21:42
It says "Golden N," which I can only assume is the model...someone gave it to me. — Rae, May 05 '14 at 21:44

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:23

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Based on the information provided IMHO it's RF interference. This may be similar although the brand of wifi is different. See if this link helps you and let us know!Rtl8187 wireless card drops signal within seconds

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:23

Community

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answered May 05 '14 at 21:51

Elder Geek

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I might be silly...but RF interference sounds like a different thing than "buggy driver." I'm going to try dealing with the buggy driver thing first, but if RF interference is different, how do I fix that? Thanks. – Rae May 05 '14 at 22:21
@Rae Not silly at all. Sorry, wrong link!!!! airlink101 has no linux drivers or support – Elder Geek May 05 '14 at 22:27
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My roommate came home and suggested, based on your answer about RF interference, that I use a USB extender to bring the dongle up and away from my computer. It works beautifully so far. Thank you! I wouldn't have guessed RF on my own. – Rae May 05 '14 at 22:29
@Rae Excellent! Please answer your own question with the info in the comment so that I can upvote it. – Elder Geek May 05 '14 at 22:32

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered May 06 '14 at 03:40

Based on Elder Geek's answer about RF interference, my roommate suggested I try a USB extension cable to bring the dongle up and away from my computer. The cable is only about a foot and a half long, but it worked beautifully - no new drivers necessary.

Airlink101 model #AWLL6075 finds network but drops packets in Ubuntu 12.10

2 Answers2