RPI3 + Official WiFi dongle: can't get it to connect

dangert

I am having difficulties using the official RP wifi dongle with Rune (latest official image, RuneAudio_rpi2_rp3_0.4-beta_20160321_2GB.img). I don't have a problem with builtin WiFi, nor I had a problem with stock Raspbian and the dongle.

The device is displayed correctly under Network and is able to see my SSID, but nothing happens when I try to connect: it stays disconnected. The reason to use an external dongle is that I've read that the builtin one is not intended for streaming, but only for IoT tasks.

Is official dongle supported or I better try a different one?

Debug information:
http://pastebin.com/sf9xC1cL

hondagx35

Hi dangert,

welcome to Rune Audio.

I would try to disable the internal wifi first.
Get access to the console or a sftp program to edit the file /etc/modprobe.d/disable_rpi3_wifi_bt.conf:

##wifi
#blacklist brcmfmac
#blacklist brcmutil
##bt
#blacklist btbcm
#blacklist hci_uart

This will disable wifi:

##wifi
blacklist brcmfmac
blacklist brcmutil
##bt
#blacklist btbcm
#blacklist hci_uart

Frank

- Get access to the console:
Use SSH from your PC

If you are not familiar with SSH read this for Windows or this for Linux/MacOS
The default login for RuneAudio is "root" with the password "rune" (without quotes).

- Use sftp to access files on Rune Audio:
Get WinSCP from here and install it.
When it opens setup the following:
- Session
File Protocol: SCP
Host name: The IP address of you Raspberry Pi
User name: root
Password: rune

That's it, connect and you can transfer files just by dragging and dropping.

OSX: Try Cyberduck

dangert

Thank you, Frank. I didn't know it is necessary.

Is my statement about internal WiFi correct (low powered and not suitable for streaming)?

hondagx35

Hi,

Is my statement about internal WiFi correct (low powered and not suitable for streaming)?

For short distances it works and speed is also OK for streaming.
The most limiting factor is the onboard chip antenna.

Frank

dangert

Thank you, Frank!

dangert

Blacklisting the builtin adapter didn't help. When disabled, the WiFi dongle wasn't detected at all.

hondagx35

Hi danger,

sorry it was my mistake.
The official usb wifi dongle uses the also a broadcom, so disabling it was for sure not a good idea.

Frank

dangert

Is there anything else I can do? With stock Raspbian the dongle was working.

hondagx35

Hi dangert,

it should also work with rune (arch linux).

You can try to update the kernel to the latest version.

* get access to the console (ssh)

* check the free space on your sd card (<=85%). If not resize your partition (see documentation)

* update the kernel and firmware (this is needed to get the EDIMAX dongle working and doesn't hurt anyway)

pacman -Sy --force raspberrypi-firmware-bootloader linux-raspberrypi

* add "dtparam=audio=on" to your /boot/config.txt

    # Uncomment one of these lines to enable an audio interface
    #dtoverlay=hifiberry-dac
    #dtoverlay=hifiberry-dacplus
    #dtoverlay=hifiberry-digi
    #dtoverlay=hifiberry-amp
    #dtoverlay=iqaudio-dac
    #dtoverlay=iqaudio-dacplus
    dtparam=audio=on

* delete the file /etc/modules-load.d/ras....conf

Frank

dangert

Thank you, Frank for all the help. It finally worked.

dangert

I am now back to the point where I have started. Both builtin and external WiFi are based on Broadcom chipset and neither works with HifiBerry DAC+ Pro. Without HifiBerry card the internal adapter did work.

I have also tried moode player with similar results.

So, in order to to actually solve it, should I buy an Edimax dongle? Seems it is readily available compared to Ralink one.

dangert

Frank, and a follow-up question. Which Ralink chipsets are supported besides 5370?

hondagx35

Hi dangert,

this seems to be a known issue:
https://github.com/raspberrypi/linux/issues/1588
One workaround is to use special channels for the wifi connection.

Which Ralink chipsets are supported besides 5370?

This is a question for the linux kernel guys, nothing i can reply to.

Frank

Yatsushiro

dangert wroteFrank, and a follow-up question. Which Ralink chipsets are supported besides 5370?

I'm using an RT5572N, it's plug & play on Rune, both Pi2 & Pi3, 300Mbps, specifically this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271928946887?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

dangert

Many thanks Frank and Yatsushiro. I have switched the WiFi router to channel 10 and the builtin adapter is back in business!

I will be more careful when buying WiFi dongles next time...