installed kali-linux-2016.2-i386.iso to harddrive
tried a few apps like reaver
all good

updated kali (from settings->details->check updates)
tried a few apps like reaver & wifiite
all fail :-( wash and wifite can see aps, but can't associate with them (suspect problem transmitting packets - but can receive promiscuously?)

boot 2016.2 from usb
everything works again.

clearly updating kali broken things.

the wifi nic is an atheros ar242x/ar542x pcie using ath5k driver.

is there any suggestions on what and how to rollback? eg did ath5k get updated since 2016.2?