Resolved - Issues with wireless configuration

I just installed the updates through the package manager. After I rebooted, I could not pull a IP address. I tried network configuration and it worked for a bit, but then the IP address dropped and I couldn't get it back.

During the package upgrade process, it asked me if I wanted the default or keep my version. I selected the default. Before I accepted the default, I did view differences and it listed items concerning networking, so I suspect that this is the root of my problem. I am sorry that I don't know more details about it, however, I am fairly new to Linux.

I am using a machine that has multi-boot options (XP, Mepis, Mandriva). I booted into Mandriva -- which is working fine on networking -- to make this post.

[Jerry3904]

And reset your configuration, one tab at a time. Happened to everybody.

I will try that (again), but didn't appear to work for me the first time. Will post update after trying that.

I am at a loss. For some reason the network interface will not start automatically. I checked during boot script and saw that it was unable to start the service during the boot process.

I have been back through network assistant on several cases and it appears to have no affect.

The problem occurred after the last update from the package manager and accepting defaults during installation.

Recently (before this problem, the system booted and worked fine several times following the installation of the following:

Gnome Desktop
WiFi-Radar
KWiFiManager

Both the Wifi apps were installed because of the notorious problem with detecting wireless networks in an area. I don't know how to find an unknown SSID using the "MEPIS Network Assistant".

The way I get the network started is using a new application that I believe was installed with Gnome -- "Networking". It appeared under the systems programs tab. Once I open that up (provide "root" privledges), and activate the interface, it pulls the address and works.

KWifimanager doesn't allow me to do anything and even has a tab called "vendor" that I can do nothing with.

Wifi-Radar will not pull an IP, but tries.

HELP?

[Jerry3904]

• Did you reenter your ESSID?
• What card do you have?
• Were you using manual or automatic?
• Is ndiswrapper enabled of disabled?
• If ndiswrapper is enabled, which driver are you using and does entering ndiswrapper -l show a driver and hardware present?
• What does entering iwconfig as root say?

Hopefully this will get us closer to the solution.

OK. Thanks for the reply. Pardon the vagueness of my responses, as I am a newbie to Linux and some of the things are not always clear to me.

ESSID: That was part of the error I saw during boot. Not sure where to reenter it at, but I did put the SSID in the Net Assistant field.

The NETWORK CARD is built into my Acer Tablet (C300). I believe it is an intel wireless card b/g. Not sure of details on that.

I used both Automatic and Manual. You have to be in Manual to update some of the fields.

NDIS Wrapper enabled or disabled??? I have the windows support enabled (I think that is what you are referencing) and that was what it was before the problem. Haven't tried disabling that one.

root@2[xxxx]# ndiswrapper -l
airplus : driver installed
bcmwl5 : driver installed
bcmwl5a : driver installed
lsbcmnds : driver installed
lsbcmnds6 : driver installed
lstinds : driver installed
mrv8k51 : driver installed
netr33x : driver installed
prismnic : driver installed
wlanuig : driver installed
wlipnds : driver installed

How do I tell if it is enabled or not.

OUTPUT from iwconfig
lo no wireless extensions.

eth0 no wireless extensions.

eth1 IEEE 802.11b ESSID:"DRUM_LODGING_AP14"
Mode:Managed Frequency:2.452 GHz Access Point: 00:0F:F8:58:E6:C8
Bit Rate:11 Mb/s Tx-Power=20 dBm Sensitivity=8/0
Retry limit:7 RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Encryption key:off
Power Management:off
Link Quality=90/100 Signal level=-39 dBm Noise level=-86 dBm
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:0 Invalid misc:11 Missed beacon:3

NOTE: I did activate the card using the "NETWORKING" utility under system that I think came with GNOME. That worked to activate, but it should be automatic like before... :(

Does that help???

[Jerry3904]

The command

lspci | grep -i network

will tell us more about the card. The command says: list (ls) the connections of devices to the motherboard (pci) and look for (grep) one that has the word "network" in either upper or lower case (-i). Please run that command and post back.

Ndiswrapper enabled/disabled: first tab of Network Assistant

Ndiswrapper driver: the correct driver will have "hardware present" listed as well as driver. Your list tells us that you do not have a Windows driver installed for your card.

ESSID goes in the SSID field, right. If the card does not connect to an access point, it may not stick. Be sure to click on Apply before moving away from any tab where you have entered information.

BTW: did you go through the Basic Steps listed on the sticky post in the networking section? Also in the Wiki:
http://www.mepis.org/docs/en/index.p...ess_connection

Since it worked before, we should have this settled pretty soon

Output:
output results

lspci | grep -i network
0000:02:06.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection (rev 05)

I will check the posts in the link you provided also.

I have also noticed some other issues that aren't working well right now either -- but just mentioning if you see possible link. AbiWord (installed with Gnome) isn't launching. It doesn't appear that GNumeric is either. Both ran before this problem.

Thanks for the help. I have to run to a meeting and will check in later.

:)

[Jerry3904]

Thanks for running that, it helps a lot. Two thoughts:

1) did you get this package: mepis-extra-modules (see Wiki, again)
2) if you have other problems as well, maybe you should just do a clean install of MEPIS 6.5.02

I'm leaving for the evening, but will check tomorrow morning to see where you are. Good luck.

The Gnome apps are running again... that fixed itself.

YES, i did get the MEPIS EXTRA MODULES.

There has to be something in the configuration files that got changed during the upgrade of those packages I did today. I can turn it on, but when I do, I have to select the profile and deactivate and reactivate the connection using the Networking Module. As soon as I do that, it pops in...