new to Linux - wifi and cable connection but extremly slow

Hi I have recently installed ZorinOs 8 ( another ex xp er) I am using a wifi adapter on this pc to connect to the internet with Atheros . I tried downloading the adaptors driver and installing it with the windows wireless driver installer which seemed to work,(said hardware [present Yes) but the connection is still only 2 bars. I tried connecting with a cable but that was just as slow.
I have another pc with windows 7 connected to the same router via cable running with full speed connection.

any ideas? thanks

here are some specs if that helps -

Bus 002 Device 004: ID 0ace:1215 ZyDAS ZD1211B 802.11g
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

*-network
description: Ethernet interface
product: RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+
vendor: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
physical id: a
bus info: pci@0000:03:0a.0
logical name: eth0
version: 10
serial: 00:0b:6a:56:8e:e2
size: 10Mbit/s
capacity: 100Mbit/s
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pm bus_master cap_list ethernet physical tp mii 10bt 10bt-fd 100bt 100bt-fd autonegotiation
configuration: autonegotiation=on broadcast=yes driver=8139too driverversion=0.9.28 duplex=half latency=32 link=no maxlatency=64 mingnt=32 multicast=yes port=MII speed=10Mbit/s
resources: irq:17 ioport:d400(size=256) memory:dfeff700-dfeff7ff
*-network
description: Wireless interface
physical id: 1
bus info: usb@2:2
logical name: wlan0
serial: b4:82:fe:61:21:40
capabilities: ethernet physical wireless
configuration: broadcast=yes driver=zd1211rw driverversion=3.11.0-20-generic firmware=4725 ip=192.168.0.4 link=yes multicast=yes wireless=IEEE 802.11bg


-P4I45D:~$ lsmod
Module Size Used by
arc4 12536 2
zd1211rw 57498 0
mac80211 517444 1 zd1211rw
snd_wavefront 38120 0
snd_cs4236 29167 0
gpio_ich 13229 0
snd_intel8x0 33069 2
snd_opl3_lib 18651 2 snd_wavefront,snd_cs4236
snd_hwdep 13272 2 snd_wavefront,snd_opl3_lib
snd_ac97_codec 105668 1 snd_intel8x0
snd_wss_lib 29835 2 snd_wavefront,snd_cs4236
ac97_bus 12642 1 snd_ac97_codec
snd_pcm 89488 4 snd_ac97_codec,snd_intel8x0,snd_wss_lib,snd_cs4236
snd_page_alloc 14230 3 snd_intel8x0,snd_wss_lib,snd_pcm
snd_mpu401 13724 0
snd_mpu401_uart 13865 3 snd_wavefront,snd_cs4236,snd_mpu401
snd_seq_midi 13132 0
snd_seq_midi_event 14475 1 snd_seq_midi
ip6t_REJECT 12826 1
xt_hl 12465 6
snd_rawmidi 25094 3 snd_wavefront,snd_mpu401_uart,snd_seq_midi
ip6t_rt 13259 3
nf_conntrack_ipv6 18414 7
nf_defrag_ipv6 26070 1 nf_conntrack_ipv6
ipt_REJECT 12485 1
xt_LOG 17446 10
xt_limit 12541 13
ppdev 17391 0
xt_tcpudp 12756 18
xt_addrtype 12563 4
nf_conntrack_ipv4 14492 7
nf_defrag_ipv4 12649 1 nf_conntrack_ipv4
rfcomm 53664 0
xt_conntrack 12664 14
bnep 18959 2
ip6table_filter 12711 1
bluetooth 323656 10 bnep,rfcomm
cfg80211 401762 2 mac80211,zd1211rw
snd_seq 55383 2 snd_seq_midi_event,snd_seq_midi
ip6_tables 17819 1 ip6table_filter
microcode 18894 0
nf_conntrack_netbios_ns 12585 0
nf_conntrack_broadcast 12541 1 nf_conntrack_netbios_ns
nf_nat_ftp 12645 0
nf_nat 25588 1 nf_nat_ftp
nf_conntrack_ftp 14056 1 nf_nat_ftp
nf_conntrack 82913 8 nf_nat_ftp,nf_conntrack_netbios_ns,nf_nat,xt_conntrack,nf_conntrack_broadcast,nf_conntrack_ftp,nf_conntrack_ipv4,nf_conntrack_ipv6
iptable_filter 12706 1
ip_tables 17987 1 iptable_filter
x_tables 22067 13 ip6table_filter,xt_hl,ip_tables,xt_tcpudp,xt_limit,xt_conntrack,xt_LOG,iptable_filter,ip6t_rt,ipt_REJECT,ip6_tables,xt_addrtype,ip6t_REJECT
snd_seq_device 14137 4 snd_seq,snd_rawmidi,snd_opl3_lib,snd_seq_midi
dm_multipath 22402 0
snd_timer 24447 4 snd_wss_lib,snd_pcm,snd_seq,snd_opl3_lib
scsi_dh 14458 1 dm_multipath
psmouse 90642 0
lpc_ich 16864 0
serio_raw 13189 0
snd 60790 19 snd_ac97_codec,snd_intel8x0,snd_hwdep,snd_timer,snd_wss_lib,snd_pcm,snd_seq,snd_rawmidi,snd_wavefront,snd_mpu401_uart,snd_seq_device,snd_cs4236,snd_opl3_lib,snd_seq_midi,snd_mpu401
binfmt_misc 13140 1
parport_pc 31981 1
ns558 12586 0
gameport 14952 2 ns558
shpchp 32129 0
soundcore 12600 1 snd
mac_hid 13037 0
lp 13299 0
parport 40795 3 lp,ppdev,parport_pc
btrfs 808940 0
zlib_deflate 26445 1 btrfs
raid6_pq 97455 1 btrfs
libcrc32c 12543 1 btrfs
dm_raid45 75297 0
xor 26221 2 btrfs,dm_raid45
dm_mirror 21715 0
dm_region_hash 15984 1 dm_mirror
dm_log 18072 3 dm_region_hash,dm_mirror,dm_raid45
radeon 1312378 3
i2c_algo_bit 13197 1 radeon
8139too 32530 0
firewire_ohci 35463 0
ttm 75982 1 radeon
drm_kms_helper 46867 1 radeon
8139cp 27130 0
firewire_core 57656 1 firewire_ohci
mii 13654 2 8139cp,8139too
drm 242400 5 ttm,drm_kms_helper,radeon
crc_itu_t 12627 1 firewire_core
floppy 55378 0

Hi, and welcome to Zorin!

First off, make sure you are connected via hard wired connection to router, open Synaptic Package Manager (Menu | System Tools | Administration | Synaptic Package Manager).

In the search bar enter 'ndiswrapper' - if you don't see a green square against 'ndiswrapper-dkms' and 'ndiswrapper-source' - mark both of them for installation, then click on 'Apply' - these are the two packages that for some reason are never included in any iso - I just can't figure it - I know that 'dkms' is kernel related - guess they don't want to have a screwed install of the OS but that is pure guess work on my part.

Also check all your settings in the guide I created here:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7359

Also check your MTU settings for the wired connection. Most GNU/Linux distributions set this to 'Automatic' - which = 1500 - here in the UK the max is 1432 so check what your locale supports for this.

Enjoy Zorin!

Thanks -that was quick. I'll try all you suggest and get back

ndiswrapper-dkms and ndiswrapper-source both installed now ( they weren't ) the wifi speed has improved a little but is still only 1/2 what it is on the other pc after a speed test ( and 2 bars )
would it help to buy a newer wifi adaptor at all?
one other thing, don't know if it's connected( no pun intended) but there is no connection( no connection found)when I restart or start up until I unplug the usb adaptor and re plug it

Hi,

establish a network connection then run this terminal (Ctrl + Alt + t) command then restart and see if it helps:

Code:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade -f

See also:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2247

Even if you have installed ndiswrapper, your usb dongle is using the native linux firmware to connect to the internet.
As you will see in the results you uploaded, the driver used is zd1211rw instead of ndiswrapper.

configuration: broadcast=yes driver=zd1211rw

The driver for your usb dongle is already included in the kernel, therefore you do not need windows wireless drivers.
I suspect that the problem might be that you have enabled both ndiswrapper and zd1211rw and you created a conflict.
My advise would be to try the following:
Open ndiswrapper and unload the windows driver, and then restart. Can you connect to the internet wirelessly?
If not, try also the following commands:

Code:

sudo modprobe -r ndiswrapper
sudo modprobe -r zd1211rw
sudo modprobe zd1211rw

Also please post back the result of:

Code:

modinfo zd1211rw

So..back I did the upgrade - f which failed to load 1 download - ppa lauchpad.net
unloaded the windows drivewer as madvinegar suggested
tried speed testing with the cable and got full speed then tried a wifi connection and also got a raging connection So seems like it may have been a conflict. I'll do another speed test tomorrow and see how I go. Thanks for all the help
Heres the result of the 'modinfo zd1211rw' anyway

modinfo zd1211rw
filename: /lib/modules/3.11.0-20-generic/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd1211rw.ko
firmware: zd1211/zd1211_uphr
firmware: zd1211/zd1211b_uphr
firmware: zd1211/zd1211_ub
firmware: zd1211/zd1211b_ub
firmware: zd1211/zd1211_ur
firmware: zd1211/zd1211b_ur
version: 1.0
author: Daniel Drake
author: Ulrich Kunitz
description: USB driver for devices with the ZD1211 chip.
license: GPL
srcversion: 817C1BEA6F3C341449010F2
alias: usb:v0ACEp20FFd*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0ACEp2011d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v2019pED01d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v2019p5303d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v1582p6003d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v157Ep300Dd*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v13B1p0024d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v129Bp1667d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0DF6p0036d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0CDEp001Ad*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0BAFp0121d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0B05p171Bd*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0ACEpB215d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0ACEp1215d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v083ApE506d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v083ApE503d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v083ApE501d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v083Ap4505d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v07FAp1196d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v07B8p6001d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v079Bp0062d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0586p3413d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0586p3412d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0586p3410d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0586p340Fd*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0586p340Ad*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v054Cp0257d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v050Dp705Cd*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0471p1237d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0471p1236d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0411p00DAd*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0409p0248d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0053p5301d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v6891pA727d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v1740p2000d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v157Ep3207d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v157Ep3204d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v157Ep300Bd*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v157Ep300Ad*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v14EApAB13d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v14EApAB10d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v1435p0711d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v13B1p001Ed*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v129Bp1666d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v126FpA006d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0DF6p9075d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0DF6p9071d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0B3Bp5630d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0B3Bp1630d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0B05p170Cd*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0ACEpA211d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0ACEp1211d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v07B8p6001d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v079Bp004Ad*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0586p3409d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0586p3407d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0586p3402d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0586p3401d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
alias: usb:v0105p145Fd*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
depends: mac80211,cfg80211
intree: Y
vermagic: 3.11.0-20-generic SMP mod_unload modversions 686

back to snail speed today and no wifi found at start up until the usb is unpluged and re pluged ?

Plug an ethernet cable to get internet, open terminal and execute the following 2 commands:

sudo apt-get install --reinstall linux-firmware
echo 'zd1211rw' | sudo tee -a /etc/modules

Then, restart and check if all is ok.

still have a snail ...1/2 speed with cable and wifi

Hi,

did you do a disk install and follow this advice?:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4771

The same applies to USB if you didn't do a full format of the stick!.

yes I did a disk install using burnaware free didn't check the speed( I'll check later and see what it runs at by default) ...but the forced updates etc that I've done since wouldn't fix anything that's missing?

Hi,

then I would first check the burn speed as that is most likely the culprit in this mystery!.

there seems to be no adjustable speed in the software but I just read it runs at around 10x on a forum

The best burn software is imgburn from http://imgburn.com (on Windows) I wouldn't use anythig else!

Thanks for that - downloaded I'll re-burn it ...and try another install then............

looks like the min drive speed for my windows pc is 4x ( according to ingburn) ...is that slow enough?
I just used Imgburner to verify the original DVD i used to install Zorin to start with (against a new download using downthemall, which I used originally anyway to download the ISO) and it passed, So that should mean the original install should be OK?

Hi,

this is from the Zorin download page:

"Download Information

ATTENTION: To avoid any complications, we recommend you to download Zorin OS using Google Chrome or Firefox as other browsers may corrupt the file and may cause errors. It is strongly advisable to do a full install of Zorin OS to enjoy its full potential as some features of Zorin OS may be less stable in Live mode.".

The above is what is recommended by the devs so it may answer your own question!.

http://zorin-os.com/free8.html

The disk burn speed depends on the disk, some have a low of 2.4, some 4.0, if you read the packaging, it will tell you the miniumum burn speed for the disks you are using!.

until this forum I had no idea about disc speed etc ...I understood the actual disc drive speed was what you were talking about not the actual DVD disc itself ( which is 16x) I set IMGburner to burn the ISO at 2.4 as suggested and half way through the process in informed me with a warning icon that the drive speed only supported 4x...so I assumed that meant my disc drive speed.

I will look for a DVD with as low a speed as I can, set IMGburner to 2.4x and all should be well ?

Hi,

the disks have a minimum and max burn speed, the disk burners also have that too!, if the disk says it can only do a minimum of 4, then that is okay, all you need to watch for is what both minimum speeds are!.

Thanks re burnt at 4x will try a re-install this weekend and see how I go.

SO..done the reinstall using slow burnt DVD (at 4x) used " sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade" then used "sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade-f" connection for these and install was a cable. now wifi is....still 5Mb/s not 10 as it should be...................
think I'll just buy a newer wifi adaptor with an antena

Hi,

is your router using WEP security?, if it is, that may be the reason, also; your ISP may only provide a limited speed on the WiFi router!, does it run faster under Windows?.

it uses WPA2-psk(AES) ( it also has the option of WPA-PSK(TKIP) + WPA2-PSK(AES) would that help? I have another pc with Windows 7 in the same room as the router connected with a cable it runs at the full 10Mb/s all the time, the Zorin pc is in the next room, maybe its a channel problem?

Does your ISP set limits on download/upload speed?:

No, I have unlimited

Have you checked to see if changing wireless channel at router makes a difference? Useful package to ensure you are not getting overlap from neighbours is INSSIDER v3 - but I think it only works on Windows:

http://www.techspot.com/downloads/5936-inssider.html

(Just found out that metageek have brought out 4 - and that you have to now buy it!!! - 3 is free from that link I gave you.)

thanks ..will look at that ,that's what I had read somewhere too and I know there is someone with the same router as mine around me somewhere too, so the default channel would be the same as mine

tried changing channel didn't help either, also still no wifi on start up. I have unplug and replug the adapter to connect
also ran wavemon and link qual. is max 49/100 ( signal level 17dBm)

To load the wifi module on startup run the folowing command:

echo 'zd1211rw' | sudo tee -a /etc/modules

thanks for that, ran the command and restarted ..still no wifi without unpluging.
I tested the adapter on my Windows7 pc and works no problem fast etc( thought it may be the adapter at fault). Is there an easy way to install windows drivers with ndiswrapper then and test it that way?