[SOLVED] Realtek RTL8712U

[Dan]

Well ... that's what I get for doing my own thinking.

I've got a USB dongle wireless containing the Realtek RTL8712U chip, and I'll be dipped if I can make heads nor tails of what I'm finding in the way of drivers and firmware. Feeling a bit confused and brain-dead about it by now. <....>

...

HALP! <....>

[PabloTwo]

I suspect you'll have to compile a kernel module driver for this chipset yourself. But the good news is, recent Fedora kernels will at least give you the firmware to go with it once you do have a working kmod for it.

BASH:~/-> locate rtl87
/lib/firmware/rtlwifi/rtl8712u.bin

[Dan]

*Sigh!*

Ok.

So I get to ask some more dumb (and embarrassing) questions.
How, exactly does one go about that. The last time I compiled anything was pretty much by accident and several years ago. I've slept since then.

EDIT: It seems there are some bits and chunks here:

$ locate rtl8712
/lib/firmware/rtlwifi/rtl8712u.bin
/usr/src/kernels/3.2.9-2.fc16.x86_64/drivers/staging/rtl8712
/usr/src/kernels/3.2.9-2.fc16.x86_64/drivers/staging/rtl8712/Kconfig
/usr/src/kernels/3.2.9-2.fc16.x86_64/drivers/staging/rtl8712/Makefile
/usr/src/kernels/3.3.0-8.fc16.x86_64/drivers/staging/rtl8712
/usr/src/kernels/3.3.0-8.fc16.x86_64/drivers/staging/rtl8712/Kconfig
/usr/src/kernels/3.3.0-8.fc16.x86_64/drivers/staging/rtl8712/Makefile
/usr/src/kernels/3.3.1-3.fc16.x86_64/drivers/staging/rtl8712
/usr/src/kernels/3.3.1-3.fc16.x86_64/drivers/staging/rtl8712/Kconfig
/usr/src/kernels/3.3.1-3.fc16.x86_64/drivers/staging/rtl8712/Makefile

[JEO]

Since it says staging you could try installing kmod-staging from rpmfusion.

[PabloTwo]

Good call JEO. I just examined contents of that package (for kernel 3.3.1-3.fc16.x86_64) and looks like Dan is in luck with it:

/lib/modules/3.3.1-3.fc16.x86_64/extra/staging/r8712u.ko

[Dan]

Dandy. It modprobed clean ... but now inserting the device gives me the following:

usb 1-5: new high-speed USB device number 13 using ehci_hcd
[ 8940.018051] hub 4-0:1.0: Cannot enable port 2. Maybe the USB cable is bad?
[ 8943.039079] hub 4-0:1.0: Cannot enable port 2. Maybe the USB cable is bad?
[ 8946.060076] hub 4-0:1.0: Cannot enable port 2. Maybe the USB cable is bad?
[ 8949.081085] hub 4-0:1.0: Cannot enable port 2. Maybe the USB cable is bad?
[ 8949.081104] hub 4-0:1.0: unable to enumerate USB device on port 2

<....>

[PabloTwo]

And this same USB port works OK with other USB devices plugged into it?
Laptop or dekstop PC here? If a desktop pc, try one of the rear panel USB ports which might be on a different "hub".
Does the device actually have a "cable", or is it a "direct" plugin connector?
"Plug and Play" just doesn't always play fair, eh?

[Dan]

It's a desktop, my jumpdrives still work peachy-keen in that slot, it's direct plug in, and you were absolutely correct about the rear connectors. Thanks!

[PabloTwo]

Next time you have the side cover off of that desktop pc for cleaning, check that the front panel USB cable is securely plugged into the USB mb header. Also, in some case, the front panel USB ports don't provide as much power (current) capability as the directly connected to the mb rear panel USB ports and some USB devices can get pretty persnickety about that.

[Dan]

The connections look fine. But ...

The USB ports which won't play well are the USB2.0/1.1 ports, whereas the ones that play nice are the USB 3.0/2.0 high current ports.

EDIT:

This is the motherboard involved: http://www.gigabyte.us/products/prod...px?pid=3258#ov

This is the USB unit involved: http://www.asus.com/Networks/Wireless_Adapters/USBN10/

[Dan]

Ok ... another dumb question.

Which metapackage should I grab to keep this current? The naming nomenclature leaves me a bit baffled.

See attached illustration.

[JEO]

How about the most modern one in the list? (ends in 16.4)

[PabloTwo]

I think all you need is "yum install kmod-staging" or "yum update kmod-staging".

BASH:~/-> yum list kmod-staging
Loaded plugins: langpacks, presto
Available Packages
kmod-staging.x86_64                                                3.3-1.fc16.5                                                 rpmfusion-free-updates

There is a newer version than is showing in your PackageKit screenshot. They should automatically update along with any new kernel that comes along to keep you going.

[Dan]

That would have been my guess, but Yumex is listing a 16.5 version. Methinks I'm in that hideous no-man's-land between updates.

...


... Ayup. Packagekit just got around to announcing a new bug-fix kernel. <....>


EDIT: Just caught that, Pablo. Weekend updates strikes again! <..>.>

[Dan]

Ayup. That did it. I took the lazy man's way, and installed the .4 version, and then ran updates. All is peachy keen fine now. Thanks again, guys!