Linux does not recognize laptop hardware wifi switch.

kiryuin · 2014-02-22 23:45:03

All distros but Ubuntu don't recognize my laptop's hardware switch. (The kind that is on the f12 key and that I have to use an fn key to use f12 with.) I have to suspend my laptop to disable the hardware block on the switch because pressing the key does nothing even after the block is disabled via suspending. I would like to know how to enable support for my laptop's wifi hardware switch so that I do not need to relogin to Steam manually everytime I boot my laptop just because the wifi isn't on by default when it tries login since it is set to run on start. Thanks to anyone who may be able to provide an answer in advanced, I really don't want to go back to Ubuntu and an update killed Windows compatability with my system. My laptop is an HP Pavillion dv6.

Last edited by kiryuin (2014-02-22 23:46:29)

nomorewindows · 2014-02-23 00:19:55

Do you have the firmware installed for it and what is it?

kiryuin · 2014-02-23 02:01:33

The card is a Intel Corporation Centrino Wireless-N 2230 (rev c4) and yes I do have firmware. The issue is that Linux does not recognize a physical switch for it, not the card itself.

Lone_Wolf · 2014-02-23 14:06:43

Fn + function key combinations on laptops are NOT physical switches .

The common way they work is like this :
Fn + F12 are pressed , the keyboard sends a keycode specific for that combination
Special software sees that Fn+F12 corresponds to enable/disable wifi, and executes a command (specific to YOUR laptop model) to change the state of the wifi.

On your archlinux system Fn+F12 is NOT linked to that command.

You should try to find out what command ubuntu has linked to that key.

nomorewindows · 2014-02-23 14:21:39

Lone_Wolf wrote:

Fn + function key combinations on laptops are NOT physical switches .
The common way they work is like this :
Fn + F12 are pressed , the keyboard sends a keycode specific for that combination
Special software sees that Fn+F12 corresponds to enable/disable wifi, and executes a command (specific to YOUR laptop model) to change the state of the wifi.
On your archlinux system Fn+F12 is NOT linked to that command.
You should try to find out what command ubuntu has linked to that key.

Try xev to see what Arch recognizes it as (other than fn+f12).

Blµb · 2014-03-22 19:40:08

Sorry for the bump, came across this while investigating the same issue here, and while I'm not getting any response from that key (showkeys, as well as catting /dev/input/eventX, etc.), I can at least tell you that your relogin-workaround is a bad one. Use the 'rfkill' commandline tool. (Set it up with your windowmanager's hotkey system).
`rfkill block wifi` and `rfkill unblock wifi` should enable/disable it respectively.
I'm on an HP Envy 15-j013sg (E8N68EA), the LED on the F12/WIFI key reacts to the above commands accordingly, too.
All that's missing is a way to get the key to send some actual data... looks like a driver thing...
(as serio_raw device that key also doesn't send any data... weird)

Last edited by Blµb (2014-03-22 21:51:22)

Steffen185 · 2014-05-23 23:18:41

I have an HP EliteBook 840 G1. Two solutions that both work for me:

a) CONFIG_HP_WIRELESS=y (available since Linux 3.14)

b) Kernel parameter: acpi_osi='!Windows 2012'

Btw, does your mute button led change its color when muted? Update: Fixed by enabling CONFIG_SND_JACK=y, CONFIG_SND_HDA_INPUT_JACK=y and CONFIG_SND_HDA_CODEC_SIGMATEL=y (maybe the last one is enough).

Last edited by Steffen185 (2014-05-24 00:14:30)

saz · 2014-06-03 13:53:31

Steffen185 wrote:

a) CONFIG_HP_WIRELESS=y (available since Linux 3.14)

I've seen this on the wiki also, but where should I set that variable?

Steffen185 · 2014-06-03 14:59:35

It's a Linux kernel configuration option. Device Drivers -> X86 Platform Specific Device Drivers -> HP WIRELESS.

Arch Linux

#1 2014-02-22 23:45:03

Linux does not recognize laptop hardware wifi switch.

#2 2014-02-23 00:19:55

Re: Linux does not recognize laptop hardware wifi switch.

#3 2014-02-23 02:01:33

Re: Linux does not recognize laptop hardware wifi switch.

#4 2014-02-23 14:06:43

Re: Linux does not recognize laptop hardware wifi switch.

#5 2014-02-23 14:21:39

Re: Linux does not recognize laptop hardware wifi switch.

#6 2014-03-22 19:40:08

Re: Linux does not recognize laptop hardware wifi switch.

#7 2014-05-23 23:18:41

Re: Linux does not recognize laptop hardware wifi switch.

#8 2014-06-03 13:53:31

Re: Linux does not recognize laptop hardware wifi switch.

#9 2014-06-03 14:59:35

Re: Linux does not recognize laptop hardware wifi switch.

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