Re: [GNU-linux-libre] Internal USB WiFi on laptops.

[Christopher Waid]

> Many laptops do have mini-PCIe connectors internally.
> Theses connectors also have pins for USB (D+ and D-).
>
> On some laptops[2], the BIOS refuses to boot if the internal PCIe WiFi
> card is not in its white-list[1].
> Some laptop's BIOS[2] even go so far that they will refuse to boot if 
> no
> card found in the white-list is present.
>
> In the case where the BIOS doesn't check for the presence of a card,
> but still checks it against its white-list, using an USB card in a
> mini-pcie form factor could work.
>
> A wiki page on the elinux wiki[4] may suggest that it might exist.
> Does ath9k_htc compatible WiFi cards exist in that format?
>
> If so, shops selling RYF hardware such as ThinkPenguin and Tehnoetic
> may be able to also sell it.
>
> Internal cards have the advantage of not breaking easily during
> transportation.
> External cards also have a dilemma where the user has to choose between
> compactness and good range.

It's a great idea, but unfortunately no such designs/cards that exist 
with an ath9k-htc USB chipset already in the PCIE form and there is zero 
chance that one will exist. ath9k-htc is history at this point. The last 
run of cards to be manufactured is fast approaching. We'll hopefully get 
one last run in before the AR9271 chipset is discontinued. The other 
chipset supported by this ath9k-htc driver is the AR7010+AR9280.

That said it might be possible to simply combine our mini USB dongle 
with a USB half height mini PCIE card depending on the amount of space 
inside the machine to get around the problem.

Here is what such a USB half height card looks like:

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/260/530/469/469530260_401.jpg

Here is our mini USB wifi adapter with the AR9271 chipset:

https://www.thinkpenguin.com/gnu-linux/penguin-wireless-n-usb-adapter-gnu-linux-tpe-n150usb

At a minimum testing could be done to see how well this works. There are 
a number of factors which make it less than desirable or not workable 
including the size of the adapter, implementation of the BIOS white 
listing functionality, range, and potentially further reduction in range 
due to the laptop's enclosure.

I don't think we actually have any laptops with the DRM encumbered 
software and slot still in place to play with so I can't really test 
this easily conceptually. Otherwise I probably would.

This said I'm not entirely sure this is a great solution for those with 
a DRM encumbered BIOS. It's a hack that might barely be better than an 
external USB wifi dongle only in that it does eliminate the external 
obtrusion.

There is actually a better solution for some users that have one of 
these encumbered systems. While it doesn't work for newer systems 
(because the slot has been phased out) if you have a system with a 34MM 
or 54MM ExpressCard slot we're going to be stocking ath9k (not 
ath9k-htc) cards shortly. This should work around not being able to 
replace the internal card due to the BIOS white listing. At least I'm 
pretty sure it will. The ath9k PCIE chipsets are better than the 
ath9k-htc chipsets. I don't believe the white lists are implemented to 
check every PCIE/ExpressCard slot, but rather only the main mini PCIE 
card slot where the wifi card is expected in the systems where BIOS 
white listing exists.

> References:
> -----------
> [1]It usually does that by checking the PCI ids of the card.
> [2]I've laptops fitting each of theses case:
>    The Lenovo X60 default BIOS[3] only checks if the card is not in the
>    white-list.
>    Also, I was given a broken HP Envy laptop that refuses to boot when
>    you remove its (Intel) WiFi card.
> [3]Libreboot doesn't have such restrictions and is compatible with
>    that machine.
> [4]http://elinux.org/Embedded_Open_Modular_Architecture/EOMA-68/Tablet
>
> Denis.