Spiral-Plasma does not connect to wifi

[antipodes5]

Discussed in https://github.com/orgs/SpiralLinux/discussions/433

^{Originally posted by antipodes5 May 16, 2024}
Pretty much as it says: Spiral-Plasma live does not connect to wifi.

Just tried a full installation. Everything went well, it looks great, but the wifi still doesn't work.

Process:

• click icon to configure wifi
• enter password (yes, its check and correct)
• wait while it cycles, then
• prompt for password again
• repeat...

in contrast, Spiral-XFCE live usb connects just fine. In fact, I've tried a variety of linux distros recently and everything (Fedora, Ubuntu, etc) connects fine.

The wifi is phone hotspot WPA2/WAP3.
The PC uses an Intel Corp. Centrino Advanced-N 6205 [Taylor Peak] (Centrino Advanced-N 6025 (802.11a/b/g/n)).

[geckolinux]

Hi there, are you using one of the recommended methods to write the live USB?
https://github.com/SpiralLinux/SpiralLinux-project/wiki#how-to-create-a-bootable-spirallinux-usb-stick

Could you please test this live ISO from the Debian Live project to confirm if it has the same issue?
https://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/amd64/iso-hybrid/debian-live-12.5.0-amd64-kde.iso

If that one does work then please try creating the SpiralLinux USB again using a recommended method, and if it fails to connect please immediately open a terminal and run sudo dmesg and post the last 10 lines or so of the output.

[antipodes5]

Sorry for the late reply.

sorry again - I have to put aside my distro hopping for now, I need my machines in production.

However... I can't resist, so I will try that Debian-kde live iso and try to report back in ~24h.

I can tell you I used dd for the creation, like so many other times before with other distros (including your XFCE version). There really was nnothing remarkable in making the live usb.

[antipodes5]

For the record/clarity, the dd command I use is:

sudo dd if=SpiralLinux_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=1M conv=sync status=progress

[antipodes5]

Ok

• Downloaded the .iso, checked against checksum and signature files = good.
• dd command to make live usb
• boot from usb
• -> 'connect' on wifi widgwt
• enter password
• system throws up dialog box for "KDE wallet service" wizard -> cancel
• fails to connect, prompts for wifi password again.

Then:

• click 'connect' for wifi again
• in KDE Wallet Service wizard, choose gpg option -> complaining about no gpg keys exist. I don't make any, cancel.
• this time in wizard choose blowfish option -> make password -> accepted
• wifi connection still fails, get prompt for password again.

After all that,

• tried again just on connecting to the wifi (again, launching it from the widget)
• Wallet wizard did not appear.
• fail
• dmesg:

user@debian:~$ sudo dmesg | tail -n 10
[ 1236.238664] wlp3s0: associated
[ 1236.306547] wlp3s0: deauthenticating from 26:06:e5:06:f5:6f by local choice (Reason: 1=UNSPECIFIED)
[ 1249.894921] wlp3s0: authenticate with 26:06:e5:06:f5:6f
[ 1249.898400] wlp3s0: send auth to 26:06:e5:06:f5:6f (try 1/3)
[ 1249.938656] wlp3s0: authenticated
[ 1249.939060] wlp3s0: waiting for beacon from 26:06:e5:06:f5:6f
[ 1250.041941] wlp3s0: associate with 26:06:e5:06:f5:6f (try 1/3)
[ 1250.043349] wlp3s0: RX AssocResp from 26:06:e5:06:f5:6f (capab=0x11 status=0 aid=2)
[ 1250.063280] wlp3s0: associated
[ 1250.118402] wlp3s0: deauthenticating from 26:06:e5:06:f5:6f by local choice (Reason: 1=UNSPECIFIED)

This is a Lenovo x230, with a fairly typical network hardware (Intel Centrino Advanced-N [Taylor Peak] 6025). Flavours of Fedora, Ubuntu - any non-KDE distro - seems to have no problem, so I am a little surprised.

[antipodes5]

I looked to report it to KDE, but they don't seem to have an issues page, only a Matrix room. I'm not signed up for that and don't have time to do so now.

Good luck!

[munawar77]

I have the same issue here as well. My wifi card is Ryzen or open source hardware. Regular debian image still handles everything fine but problem lies with Spiral itself. If you have workarounds do share here. Using Eternet atm

[geckolinux]

I have the same issue here as well. My wifi card is Ryzen or open source hardware. Regular debian image still handles everything fine but problem lies with Spiral itself. If you have workarounds do share here. Using Eternet atm

Hi there @munawar77 , we would need a lot more details to be able troubleshoot, similar to what was mentioned here: #434 (comment)

[munawar77]

I didn’t have enough patience to stay on Spiral. I have a suggestion that could avoid many issues for the Plasma model. The current built-in setup is based on GTK, and since Plasma relies on the QT structure, a mixture of GTK and QT somewhat ruins the Plasma desktop experience.

What can you do? Grab a net install image of Debian 12.7 and install a minimal, lightweight version of Plasma desktop. The install will recommend QT as the system backend. Afterward, you can add Gecko’s recipe patches, such as Pipewire, apt rollback, and many other tools, but make sure to avoid picking any GTK tools since it’s not Cinnamon or GNOME, but the glorious Plasma Desktop. Thus you need to find alternate packaging to QT most and there are plenty ones from KDE but surely not to bloat with all.

You might be surprised, but Spiral Plasma lacks many of the Plasma system’s “base packages,” which causes imperfections and basic functionality errors, leading to user complaints. A net install, as described earlier, would fulfill the base package installation. We’re hopeful Gecko’s is ready for something exciting! :))))

https://www.pragmaticlinux.com/2020/10/install-a-minimal-kde-on-debian-10-buster/