Bug#665881: ath5k reports "gain calibration timeout" errors and loses connectivity (Re: not Debian-specific)

[Jonathan Nieder <jrnieder@gmail.com>]

Steve Graham wrote:

> [Subject: Bug#665881: not Debian-specific]

Please keep in mind that these messages appear as emails in a crowded
inbox, so the subject line can be a good place to put valuable
context.

> I have just compiled a custom 3.3.0 kernel for an Acer netbook,
> previously running 3.0.0, and see the same problem as reported by
> Hans. In my case, after 36 hours of uptime with the new kernel, the
> ath5k began to report constant "gain calibration timeout" errors and
> connectivity was lost.
>
> Rebooting with the previous kernel without powering off did not
> restore wireless connectivity. The old ath5k was reporting "gain
> calibration timeout" too. Powering off and on, and booting the old
> 3.0 kernel seems to have restored correct functionality.

Thanks!  This agrees with Hans's observations, too.

Please send a summary of your observations to
linux-wireless@vger.kernel.org, cc-ing Hans, ath5k-devel@lists.ath5k.org,
and either me or this bug log so we can track it.  Be sure to mention:

 - precise steps to reproduce, expected result, actual result, and how
   the difference indicates a bug (should be simple in this case)
 - how reproducible and how quickly reproducible it is (e.g., within
   5 hours 50% of the time?)
 - which kernel versions you have tested and what happened with each
 - full "dmesg" output from a working and a non-working boot, as
   attachments
 - a pointer to http://bugs.debian.org/665881 for the backstory
 - any workarounds or other weird observations

Hopefully someone upstream may have ideas for commands or patches to
try in order to narrow down the problem.

Thanks and hope that helps,
Jonathan