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[Fix] Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG not working [Debian] [Fix] - Printable Version
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+--- Thread: [Fix] Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG not working [Debian] [Fix] (/Thread-Fix-Intel-Corporation-PRO-Wireless-3945ABG-not-working-Debian-Fix)

[Fix] Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG not working [Debian] [Fix] - EmperorDAZ - 03-09-2012

So, since I use a Ethernet cable for my computer, I had never to worry about the wireless, but someday I decided to use the wifi. For my surprise this magnificent wireless card wasn't working, and I was sure this couldn't be a hardware fault. After digging in the internet for a while, I have found the solution.

If during the Debian installation setup, it showed something like couldn't load the following firmware:
Code:
iwlwifi-3945-2.ucode

And your command outputs indicate this:
  • cat "/var/log/messages"

    Code:
    [   14.239229] iwl3945 0000:02:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-3945-2.ucode
    [   14.304245] iwl3945 0000:02:00.0: iwlwifi-3945-2.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
    [   14.306153] iwl3945 0000:02:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-3945-1.ucode
    [   14.308434] iwl3945 0000:02:00.0: iwlwifi-3945-1.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
    [   14.310254] iwl3945 0000:02:00.0: Could not read microcode: -2
    [   14.650954] iwl3945 0000:02:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-3945-2.ucode
    [   14.653331] iwl3945 0000:02:00.0: iwlwifi-3945-2.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
    [   14.655173] iwl3945 0000:02:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-3945-1.ucode
    [   14.657535] iwl3945 0000:02:00.0: iwlwifi-3945-1.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
    [   14.659288] iwl3945 0000:02:00.0: Could not read microcode: -2

  • cat "/var/log/dmesg"

    Code:
    Sep  3 14:32:02 debian wpa_supplicant[1387]: Failed to initiate AP scan.
    Sep  3 14:33:02 debian wpa_supplicant[1387]: Failed to initiate AP scan.
    Sep  3 14:34:02 debian wpa_supplicant[1387]: Failed to initiate AP scan.
    Sep  3 14:35:02 debian wpa_supplicant[1387]: Failed to initiate AP scan.
    Sep  3 14:36:02 debian wpa_supplicant[1387]: Failed to initiate AP scan.
    Sep  3 14:37:02 debian wpa_supplicant[1387]: Failed to initiate AP scan.
    Sep  3 14:38:02 debian wpa_supplicant[1387]: Failed to initiate AP scan.
    Sep  3 14:39:02 debian wpa_supplicant[1387]: Failed to initiate AP scan.
    Sep  3 14:40:02 debian wpa_supplicant[1387]: Failed to initiate AP scan.

  • iwlist scan

    Code:
    wlan0     Interface doesn't support scanning : Network is down

  • lspci

    Code:
    Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [Golan] Network Connection (rev 02)

The package you need is firmware-iwlwifi
You will need to do the following:
  • Add the following repository to your /etc/apt/sources.list
    Code:
    deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian squeeze main contrib non-free

  • Run
    Code:
    apt-get update
    apt-get install wireless-tools
    apt-get install firmware-iwlwifi

Or you can just download the .deb package from http://cur.lv/3lci, then installing it with:
Code:
dpkg -i <filename>.deb


RE: [Fix] Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG not working [Debian] [Fix] - EmperorDAZ - 03-09-2012

(03-09-2012, 02:04 PM)NeoTerra Wrote: This is awesome! I have an old laptop with an Intel wireless card, I was planning to put linux on it but had trouble with the wireless. Thanks!

You're welcome. One day I was at the point of smashing this goddamn laptop lol. Glad it helped.