Bug#641749: firmware-atheros doesn't load for Atheros AR3011

[Andres Cimmarusti <acimmarusti@gmail.com>]

> This device is rather peculiar. I currently have a dual boot with
> Ubuntu 11.04. In Ubuntu, using kernel 2.6.38 the device works
> correctly as expected. The bluetooth LED turns on and everything. In
> Debian, however, running either my vanilla kernel 3.0.4 or official
> Debian kernel 3.0.0-1-amd64 leads to the same error at boot time. The
> weird thing is that, sometimes when I restart Ubuntu and go into
> Debian, the firmware loaded into the AR3011 does not get wiped out and
> I get a clean boot with no errors using Debian.

I forgot to mention something extra about this problem. I'm almost
certain this is causing my system to freeze at the Pre-BIOS post
screen after rebooting from Debian (when firmware has not been
loaded).

The reason for this assertion is that, as I told you above, when I
boot into Ubuntu and restart to go into Debian, the device keeps the
firmware loaded and remains so in the Debian session. Upon rebooting
Debian (with firmware loaded from previous Ubuntu session) everything
works as expected.

This is a very annoying bug! I have to hard press the power button at
post screen to be able get the system "unstuck"

This is a LC2131 Linux certified Inc. Laptop, but it's really an ASI
SP13R (Spring Peak) for reference.

Andres