USB wifi module

[RadioGnome1971]

I bought a small USB wifi module for use with my raspberry pi, running ARCH.

When I plug the module in, the pi immediately stops / crashes, leaving no records in any logfile I could find. As I run the Pi headless, I can not see if there is a last minute crash-message on the screen (which is not there).

The module is detected normally by my laptop (running Arch as well).

Anyone have a clue? I have not yet installed any wifi-related stuff on my Pi, but find it very strange it crashes the moment I plug in the module. The USB port has been functioning without problems for the last year or so, using a USB drive.

Will check using a TTL debugging cable later, but I have not found the time to dismantle the Pimori case, and not yet ever used such a cable (just got it). In the mean time I am curious if someone has something sensible to say about this matter.

Kind regards,

Martin

[moonman]

You haven't given any details at all. I am assuming it is rpi 1 since you are posting in this subforum. What dongle and what kernel module?

[RadioGnome1971]

There are at this moment no more details...

Plug in dongle, kazam... dead Pi (model B, you guessed right). No log-entries, no nothing. Have not seen such a crash on one of my computers in the 21-st century.

Had no extra kernel modules installed other than 'standard' in ARCH for pi.

Was curious for clues. Your question (kernel module) strengtens my believe I should install some Wifi-stuff first and try again. Will do that tonight and see if that fixes things. Find it strange the dongle activates something in the OS (search for missing kernel module or something like that) when it is merely a USB thingy.

Thanks for your attention to my post.

Kind regards,

Martin

[pepedog]

The likeliest things
1/cable from power supply to pi is a thin one
2/power supply not good enough
3/wifi stick drawing too much power (that's why brand and model needed, and chipset it uses), it's not likely it's not supported and even if it isn't it wouldn't cause a crash

[RadioGnome1971]

Thanks pepedog for your thoughts.

Had not been thinking about power myself, but you are right. Transmitting Wifi-waves does not come cheap. Swapped the 'heavy duty' powersupply for a lesser one on this Pi when I bought a second Pi. Could well be the cause.

Enough homework to do tonight....

Kind regards,

Martin

p.s. Am at work now, so do not have the type / brand of the dongle availible now

[RadioGnome1971]

With a better powersupply, pluggin the module in still brought the pi down. But now it was able to boot with the module in place so I can start enabeling it.

It is a 'Ralink Technology, Corp. RT5370 Wireless Adapter' by the way.

Thanks all for your thoughts.

Kind regards,

Martin