Trouble setting up wireless with Network Manager

Ichimaru_Gin · #1 19th April 2008, 07:14 PM

Hello,

I'm new to the Linux OS and so far my experience has been great. My only problem is using Network Manager to get online through wireless. Please keep in mind that my physical connection does work.

Specs:
Laptop: Sony Vaio FSN-FS775P/H
OS: WinXP (wireless works fine on this partition), Fedora 8 (ethernet is fine, wireless is not)
Wireless Card: Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG

Basically here is the problem. I used NM to set up the wireless connection, put in the SSID and the WEP key, but for some reason it just wont connect. Is there anyway that I can flush or delete the settings or changes that I made and have NM re detect my wireless network and start from scratch? Or is there something else that I have to do.

I know this may be a bit vague, but if you need any extra information, please let me know and I'll get it to you as soon as I can. Thank you

bbfuller · #2 19th April 2008, 07:33 PM

Hello Ichimaru_Gin

There is more than one way of controlling wireless in Fedora.

If you are using NetworkManager in Fedora (the more usual of the two ways) you need to ensure the other way is not still trying to control the card or you won't get connected.

If you are using Gnome, go to the System Menu - Administration - Network, on the "Devices" tab, highlight your wireless connection and select "Edit" from the toolbar. Make sure that the item "Activate device when computer starts" is NOT ticked and that "Controlled by NetworkManager" and "Allow all users...." are ticked. The middle of those three options may not be in place unless you have a fairly up to date Fedora 8.

Try restarting the machine and connecting with NM.

If you need to start again with the wireless key, navigate to:

Code:

<your home directory>/.gnome2/keyrings

and delete the file:

Code:

default.keyring

Hope that helps

***glennzo*** · #3 19th April 2008, 07:36 PM

Hate to just throw links at you, sorry for that but it's a start anyhow.
http://www.fedoraforum.org/forum/sho...hlight=ipw2200
http://www.fedoraforum.org/forum/sho...hlight=ipw2200
Also, use the search feature near the top of the page. Search this forum on the term [B]ipw2200[/ ]

Edit: Looks like bbfuller beat me to the punch. Forget what I said then. bbfuller is one guy here with a solid grip on wireless issues.

Ichimaru_Gin · #4 19th April 2008, 08:15 PM

bbfuller,

Thanks for the advice. Just to confirm, I am using Gnome. Unfortunately, when I go into my </home> directory, I cannot find the file or directory you specified (/.gnome2/keyrings). Is there anything else that I can do? Do I have to login as the root?

Glennzo,

Thanks for the links, I will be looking into these.

bbfuller · #5 19th April 2008, 09:23 PM

Hello Ichimaru_Gin

The directory ".gnome2" is a hidden directory the full stop prefacing the name indicates that.

If you are using Nautilus as your file browser "View menu - Show hidden files" should do it.

Don't take too much notice of what Glennzo says, I'm just nibbling away at the edges of wireless, learning more every time I come across a question. If what I suggested doesn't work we'll both be reading those links!

Ichimaru_Gin · #6 21st April 2008, 06:52 AM

bbfuller,

Thanks that worked. I was able to go through the settings again. But for some reason I am unable to connect to my home wireless. When I go to school, I am able to connect to the wireless without issue. Does NW have a issue with dealing with WEP keys?

bbfuller · #7 21st April 2008, 09:18 AM

Hello Ichimaru_Gin

WEP is one of the encryption types that NetworkManager is supposed to have been good at from the outset. It had a bit of trouble with WPA back in the beginning but seems to be over that now.

Is it autodetecting your security type when you try to connect?

Two things I might suggest.

If your system is not completely up to date then get it up to date and try again. NetworkManager has improved a lot in the six months Fedora8 has been out. Do be prepared for a large download though if you haven't done it previously, several hundred megabytes.

Try taking security off your access pint if you can, just as a temporary measure, and see if you can connect then. It will at least remove one point of uncertainty.

rsk · #8 21st April 2008, 10:09 AM

Hi,
FWIW NetworkManager works for me with WEP.

NM is quite chatty -- so there should be lots of messages in the system log that might tell you where it's failing.
try
applications->system tools->system log
or look in /var/log/messages

HTH
Richard

Iron_Mike · #9 21st April 2008, 02:03 PM

Are you using DHCP or STATIC ip addressing at home? Network Manager doesn't play well with STATIC ip addressing.

Ichimaru_Gin · #10 21st April 2008, 05:12 PM

To all,

Thanks for your wonderful advice. I was finally able to figure out the problem. The issue was by default NW was selecting the wrong WEP key input to use. It was asking for the Passcode by default. I tried to use hex input and just typing my WEP key and it worked. Thanks guys for all of your suggestions. I can finally enjoy wireless at home!!!

Ichimaru_Gin