RTL8188CE Issues

tab1293 · 2011-09-08 21:53:57

I have a RTL8188CE wireless card in my Thinkpad T420 and I am experiencing some issues with it. On Windows my download speed is about 5Mbps while on Arch while connected to the same AP in the exact same location I am only getting speeds of barely 1Mbps. I am using Realtek's drivers which I downloaded from here: http://rghost.ru/16783051 (https://aur.archlinux.org/packages.php?ID=46797) The comments had a patched version for kernel 3.0

Realtek's website does not have drivers for the 3.0 kernel. Besides my download speed, my connection just seems very unstable as sometimes I can not even connect to the internet. Does anyone have this wireless card and have it working 100%? Are there any other drivers that I can try to use? Thank you.

[tom@arch-thinkpad ~]$ lspci |grep Realtek
03:00.0 Network controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8188CE 802.11b/g/n WiFi Adapter (rev 01)

[tom@arch-thinkpad ~]$ lsmod
Module                  Size  Used by
fuse                   67290  3 
ipv6                  290791  50 
snd_hda_codec_hdmi     22092  1 
joydev                  9895  0 
snd_hda_codec_conexant    46356  1 
i915                  707339  3 
drm_kms_helper         25409  1 i915
drm                   183380  4 i915,drm_kms_helper
uvcvideo               64963  0 
videodev               78006  1 uvcvideo
media                  10437  2 uvcvideo,videodev
v4l2_compat_ioctl32     8292  1 videodev
snd_hda_intel          22122  2 
snd_hda_codec          77927  3 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_conexant,snd_hda_intel
snd_hwdep               6325  1 snd_hda_codec
r8192ce_pci           500376  0 
arc4                    1410  2 
snd_pcm                73888  3 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec
thinkpad_acpi          62743  0 
snd_timer              19416  1 snd_pcm
i2c_algo_bit            5199  1 i915
serio_raw               4294  0 
rtl8192ce              72663  0 
rtl8192c_common        56295  1 rtl8192ce
psmouse                55192  0 
coretemp                5947  0 
snd                    57818  12 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_conexant,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hwdep,snd_pcm,thinkpad_acpi,snd_timer
video                  11228  1 i915
battery                10905  0 
btusb                  11577  0 
bluetooth             139297  1 btusb
sg                     25557  0 
rtlwifi                92065  1 rtl8192ce
mac80211              216021  3 rtl8192ce,rtl8192c_common,rtlwifi
firewire_ohci          29586  0 
evdev                   9530  11 
firewire_core          50360  1 firewire_ohci
e1000e                142449  0 
ac                      3265  0 
pcspkr                  1819  0 
processor              24256  0 
button                  4470  1 i915
cfg80211              160740  2 rtlwifi,mac80211
sdhci_pci               8530  0 
tpm_tis                 8193  0 
sdhci                  22194  1 sdhci_pci
i2c_i801                8187  0 
tpm                    11589  1 tpm_tis
crc_itu_t               1297  1 firewire_core
mmc_core               73353  1 sdhci
tpm_bios                5057  1 tpm
intel_agp              10904  1 i915
i2c_core               20133  6 i915,drm_kms_helper,drm,videodev,i2c_algo_bit,i2c_i801
wmi                     8347  0 
intel_gtt              14423  3 i915,intel_agp
nvram                   5805  1 thinkpad_acpi
thermal                 7863  0 
iTCO_wdt               12717  0 
iTCO_vendor_support     1929  1 iTCO_wdt
soundcore               6146  1 snd
snd_page_alloc          7121  2 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm
mei                    31313  0 
rfkill                 15402  4 thinkpad_acpi,bluetooth,cfg80211
tp_smapi               20651  0 
thinkpad_ec             4189  1 tp_smapi
ext4                  370398  1 
mbcache                 5817  1 ext4
jbd2                   71074  1 ext4
crc16                   1297  2 bluetooth,ext4
sr_mod                 14951  0 
cdrom                  36329  1 sr_mod
sd_mod                 28307  3 
usbhid                 35256  0 
hid                    81635  1 usbhid
ahci                   20865  2 
libahci                18885  1 ahci
libata                173297  2 ahci,libahci
scsi_mod              131546  4 sg,sr_mod,sd_mod,libata
ehci_hcd               39511  0 
usbcore               142576  6 uvcvideo,btusb,rtlwifi,usbhid,ehci_hcd

Last edited by tab1293 (2011-09-08 22:00:30)

TheHebes · 2011-09-09 01:44:17

I have this card in the x120e. Initially, I used the drivers from the AUR, but they were slow and buggy. When kernel 3.0 came out, I swapped to the ones built into the kernel. For the most part, the built-in modules have outperformed every other solution I have seen.

tab1293 · 2011-09-09 02:26:30

Ok so I uninstalled the drivers I downloaded by running "make uninstall" in the source directory but after I rebooted lsmod shows the same drivers loaded. Did the uninstall not work or are the built in kernel drivers named the same? I am still seeing very slow download speeds.

TheHebes · 2011-09-09 18:52:54

These are the output of lsmod on my system (using kernel drivers)

rtl8192ce              72663  0 
rtl8192c_common        56263  1 rtl8192ce
rtlwifi                91969  1 rtl8192ce
mac80211              215605  3 rtl8192ce,rtl8192c_common,rtlwifi
cfg80211              160516  2 rtlwifi,mac80211

What does your lsmod say?

tab1293 · 2011-09-10 01:17:51

I have the same modules loaded so I guess the built in kernel and realtek driver modules are named the same thing. I am still seeing very slow speeds and an unstable connection. It seems that a lot of people are having issues with this card. I hope things get sorted out with it soon. Anyone else have any suggestions of how I can get this card 100% working?

tab1293 · 2011-09-10 19:10:59

It seems as though Realtek fixed this issue with their latest driver. http://www.realtek.com/downloads/downlo … loads=true

The AUR package (https://aur.archlinux.org/packages.php?ID=46797) should be updated.

EDIT: Still experiencing slow speeds. Still not fixed.

Last edited by tab1293 (2011-09-10 19:16:26)

nogoma · 2011-09-28 11:04:28

I have a t420s, and while I didn't have the exact issue you describe, I was having frequent disconnects. I upgraded to the 0004.0816.2011 driver from the realtek site (presumably the one you're talking about) and it seems to be behaving better (so far). A few things to note:
* I used the AUR package, but the new version doesn't require the patch to compile against 3.0, and some of the filepaths have changed. My PKGBUILD now contains:

	mkdir -p ${pkgdir}/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/rtl8192{c,d,s}e
	cp -f rtl8192ce/rtl8192ce.ko ${pkgdir}/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/rtl8192ce
	cp -f rtl8192de/rtl8192de.ko ${pkgdir}/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/rtl8192de
	cp -f rtl8192se/rtl8192se.ko ${pkgdir}/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/rtl8192se
	cp -f rtlwifi.ko ${pkgdir}/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi
    find ${pkgdir}/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/net/wireless -name '*.ko' -exec gzip {} \;

* Note that I also gzip the modules when packaging them up, which leads me to my second point: If you were able to "make uninstall" and did not have to reinstall the linux pacman package, you may not have been using your compiled modules. The linux pacman package has these drivers in it already, but as .ko.gz, whereas the realtek driver doesn't gzip the .ko. When you 'make install' the realtek version, it doesn't overwrite the kernel version, so I'm not sure what version would get loaded preferentially by the kernel. Anyway, the surest way to see if you're on the driver you expect would be using modinfo:

[2011-09-28 06:52:24 sigurd:~/tmp]
1004 tmp % modinfo rtl8192ce                                                                                          47% 01:05 min
filename:       /lib/modules/3.0-ARCH/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/rtl8192ce/rtl8192ce.ko.gz
firmware:       rtlwifi/rtl8192cfw.bin
description:    Realtek 8192C/8188C 802.11n PCI wireless
license:        GPL
author:         Larry Finger	<Larry.Finger@lwfinger.net>
author:         Realtek WlanFAE	<wlanfae@realtek.com>
author:         lizhaoming	<chaoming_li@realsil.com.cn>
alias:          pci:v000010ECd00008176sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000010ECd00008177sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000010ECd00008178sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000010ECd00008191sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
depends:        rtlwifi,mac80211
vermagic:       3.0-ARCH SMP preempt mod_unload 
parm:           swlps:bool
parm:           swenc:using hardware crypto (default 0 [hardware])
 (bool)
parm:           ips:using no link power save (default 1 is open)
 (bool)
parm:           fwlps:using linked fw control power save (default 1 is open)
 (bool)
[2011-09-28 06:52:25 sigurd:~/tmp]
1005 tmp % modinfo rtlwifi                                                                                            47% 01:05 min
filename:       /lib/modules/3.0-ARCH/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/rtlwifi.ko.gz
description:    Realtek 802.11n PCI wireless core
license:        GPL
author:         Larry Finger	<Larry.FInger@lwfinger.net>
author:         Realtek WlanFAE	<wlanfae@realtek.com>
author:         lizhaoming	<chaoming_li@realsil.com.cn>
depends:        mac80211,cfg80211
vermagic:       3.0-ARCH SMP preempt mod_unload

Verify the the files at the filepath shown are your compiled version (look at date, filesize, etc.). When I create my own package with makepkg (and gzip them), I am prompted by pacman that the files exist in the filesystem, and I have to force it to install. So, I know I'm replacing the kernel version.

Hopefully something in here helps you get on the right track.

JamieKitson · 2011-10-04 11:22:21

What rate it connecting at? Check with:

sudo iwconfig wlan0

If it's connecting at a low rate try:

sudo iwconfig wlan0 rate 24M

Last edited by JamieKitson (2011-10-08 14:07:45)

cirnOS · 2011-11-11 00:27:17

TheHebes wrote:

I have this card in the x120e. Initially, I used the drivers from the AUR, but they were slow and buggy. When kernel 3.0 came out, I swapped to the ones built into the kernel. For the most part, the built-in modules have outperformed every other solution I have seen.

How do you switch in between? And whne you install the AUR driver does it switch to that one automatically?

JamieKitson · 2011-11-11 09:47:17

You need to black list the kernel modules, see Comment by: ValdikSS on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:12:53 +0000 here:

https://aur.archlinux.org/packages.php? … mments=all

The module you need to load is called r8192ce_pci.

Incidentally I disagree with TheHebes, for me I think the AUR driver did better than the kernel driver.

TheHebes · 2011-11-12 18:10:26

I wouldn't be particularly surprised. I was using the AUR driver quite a while ago, so it may have come a long way. I simply haven't found the time to try the latest AUR package. But, seeing as it may have improved, I may test it. DHCP has been sorely lacking for a while now with the kernel module.

TheHebes · 2011-11-13 05:56:22

Hmm... How unfortunate. The AUR version isn't yet compatible with 3.1.0-4. Guess I'll be sticking with the kernel modules for now.

danger89 · 2011-12-17 15:23:53

There is a new release of the driver on the Realtek website (2011/11/22):
http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/dow … #RTL8188CE

JamieKitson · 2011-12-19 13:17:35

I don't know, that date does seem to change without the version number changing.

robotrobert · 2012-02-11 08:38:25

TheHebes wrote:

I have this card in the x120e. Initially, I used the drivers from the AUR, but they were slow and buggy. When kernel 3.0 came out, I swapped to the ones built into the kernel. For the most part, the built-in modules have outperformed every other solution I have seen.

I've installed the current one from REALTEKs site, but still struggling with the bandwidth issues - can not reach the maximum speed.
How does one swap back to the driver built into the kernel? my detailed problem

JamieKitson · 2012-02-11 12:25:04

I can't remember the details, but if the drivers are different names/files then you should be able to blacklist the RealTek ones and/or specify the kernel ones in your rc.conf. Otherwise you could reinstall the kernel image, that should overwrite the RealTek files with the kernel ones.... maybe.

I think these are the kernel driver files:

[jamie@jamie-laptop ~]$ ls /lib/modules/3.2.2-1-ARCH/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/ -l
total 72
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Jan 26 07:48 rtl8192c
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Jan 26 07:48 rtl8192ce
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Jan 26 07:48 rtl8192cu
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Jan 26 07:48 rtl8192de
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Jan 26 07:48 rtl8192se
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 51488 Jan 26 07:47 rtlwifi.ko.gz

ValdikSS · 2012-02-11 16:33:23

If you can, just replace this card. When I had it, I always had to switch between kernel and realtek driver because on some APs kernel driver is better and on others is realtek's. Now I have intel 6250 and have no issues with my wireless. Thinkpad X220.

Toxcity · 2012-02-11 16:39:31

I'm getting all the same issues that you guys are describing. At the moment I have realtek driver installed. Complete pain in the arse. Anyone know a good place to get hold of a new wireless chip?
I'm on a Thinkpad E320.

JamieKitson · 2012-02-11 17:12:06

Be careful, I found to my cost that the X220 has a strict whitelist of cards. I put an Intel 6200 in and got it to work eventually, but contrary to what ValdikSS says I found it no better and so went back to the RealTek. I have been meaning to sell the 6200 if you want it.

robotrobert · 2012-02-11 23:58:54

JamieKitson wrote:

I can't remember the details, but if the drivers are different names/files then you should be able to blacklist the RealTek ones and/or specify the kernel ones in your rc.conf. Otherwise you could reinstall the kernel image, that should overwrite the RealTek files with the kernel ones.... maybe.
I think these are the kernel driver files:
[jamie@jamie-laptop ~]$ ls /lib/modules/3.2.2-1-ARCH/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/ -l
total 72
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Jan 26 07:48 rtl8192c
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Jan 26 07:48 rtl8192ce
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Jan 26 07:48 rtl8192cu
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Jan 26 07:48 rtl8192de
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Jan 26 07:48 rtl8192se
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 51488 Jan 26 07:47 rtlwifi.ko.gz

Thanks for the advice. If I want to install back the kernel image how do i proceed? I mean where do I find it? Is it like a package like the realtek one?

ValdikSS wrote:

If you can, just replace this card. When I had it, I always had to switch between kernel and realtek driver because on some APs kernel driver is better and on others is realtek's. Now I have intel 6250 and have no issues with my wireless. Thinkpad X220.

Well, under other OS it just works 100% good ( Ubuntu / Win 7 ) but I do like arch very much, so I think by the time, there'll be some solution.

JamieKitson · 2012-02-12 13:02:56

robotrobert wrote:

Thanks for the advice. If I want to install back the kernel image how do i proceed? I mean where do I find it? Is it like a package like the realtek one?

You should be about to do

pacman -S linux

to reinstall the kernel and modules.

robotrobert · 2012-02-12 23:10:40

JamieKitson wrote:

robotrobert wrote:
Thanks for the advice. If I want to install back the kernel image how do i proceed? I mean where do I find it? Is it like a package like the realtek one?
You should be about to do
pacman -S linux
to reinstall the kernel and modules.

So I guess, first I should remove my actual driver, witch I can do with:

pacman -R rtl8192

Right? Then I need to use the command u wrote, to be able to install the driver from the kernel, right?

It kinda made me think how could this card work properly in other OS. I mean, thats the point of the whole TCP/IP layering, to define a standard interface, what the OS can use, right? So if ubuntu can use the driver correctly then other linux-flavours should be able to use it perfectly as well. Then what/where is going wrong?

Last edited by robotrobert (2012-02-12 23:11:05)

meako · 2012-04-11 23:06:33

Any news on this?
I'm still expiriencing loss of connectivity with rtl8188ce on Thinkpad Edge e520.

JamieKitson · 2012-04-12 09:41:24

Are you using the stock driver with the latest kernel? It's been good for me for a while now.

TheHebes · 2012-04-12 17:10:14

I can confirm this. 3.3, stock drivers, no issues.

Arch Linux

#1 2011-09-08 21:53:57

RTL8188CE Issues

#2 2011-09-09 01:44:17

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#3 2011-09-09 02:26:30

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#4 2011-09-09 18:52:54

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#5 2011-09-10 01:17:51

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#6 2011-09-10 19:10:59

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#7 2011-09-28 11:04:28

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#8 2011-10-04 11:22:21

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#9 2011-11-11 00:27:17

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#10 2011-11-11 09:47:17

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#11 2011-11-12 18:10:26

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#12 2011-11-13 05:56:22

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#13 2011-12-17 15:23:53

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#14 2011-12-19 13:17:35

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#15 2012-02-11 08:38:25

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#16 2012-02-11 12:25:04

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#17 2012-02-11 16:33:23

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#18 2012-02-11 16:39:31

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#19 2012-02-11 17:12:06

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#20 2012-02-11 23:58:54

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#21 2012-02-12 13:02:56

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#22 2012-02-12 23:10:40

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#23 2012-04-11 23:06:33

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#24 2012-04-12 09:41:24

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

#25 2012-04-12 17:10:14

Re: RTL8188CE Issues

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