Topic: Connecting Ubuntu To Internet

[GillE]

How can I connect Ubuntu 10.10 to the internet using a wireless dongle on my laptop?  When I go to Network Connections - Wireless a box opens asking for the SSID, BSSID, Device MAC address and Cloned MAC address.  What values should I enter and how do I find them?

[Rik]

Sam!!!! 

[sam]

I've been having my own computing issues today.... and I just upgraded to Ubuntu 10.10.

Ok - network connections...  for me I just get a list of all the networks I can see. Firstly I'd try and click on the network icon on the desktop (right hand side by the clock) - this should list all networks detected. If not then you should just need your wifi routers SSID....

[Simon]

Perhaps you should try Windows, Sam. 

[sam]

oh no - I had a hd error. had to fsck this disk and then i decided it was time to distribution upgrade.

I have vista and will be using it shortly to play FM2011... :-)

[Simon]

Luckily, I've never had a fscked disc, but that reminds me, I must run a backup.  

[GillE]

Firstly I'd try and click on the network icon on the desktop (right hand side by the clock) - this should list all networks detected.

Done that - I get a message that wireless is disabled.

If not then you should just need your wifi routers SSID....

I've tried that but the dialogue box also asks for all the further information listed in my original post.

[sam]

The wireless is disabled? I don't suppose the computer has a WLAN has a switch somewhere on the computer?

As for ask for the rest of the info - hmm, so it doesn't let you continue without all the boxes filled in? For me (and I'm running Ubuntu 10.10) - it allows me to hit ok only with SSID filled in - which is just your wireless connection name.

[Simon]

Should it not detect the other settings automatically, once a connection has been established?  

[GillE]

No, there's no WLAN switch on the computer.  The only switch turns the power on or off.

Could it be that Ubuntu 10.10 doesn't recognise my wireless dongle?  It's a Belkin, but I don't have much more info than that*.  I've just run a system test which detected the following controllers:

Broadcom Corporation BCM4311 802.11b/g WLAN (rev 01)
Broadcom Corporation BCM4401-B0 100Base-TX (rev 02)

*Edit:  It's a Belkin F6D4050 v1 which has a MAC code and SN number.

[D-Dan]

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1509403

Read through the whole thread. The OP there got it working.

Steve

[GillE]

That's a very useful link, Steve - thanks .

I've followed the advice in that thread and my dongle is now recognised .  However, the icon at the top right of the screen insists that the wireless network is disabled.  Any more thoughts?

[sam]

Can you open a terminal, type:

iwconfig


- this should give you some output about the device.


As with no swtich there is no key commadn like FN+some F function that could disable the card?

[D-Dan]

Try right clicking the network icon in the tray (I assume it's there in Ubuntu - debian user myself) which should pop up a menu. Make sure that wireless is enabled there.

Steve

[GillE]

Sam, you were right - there's a function key on the keyboard which was locking the wireless signal.

After many years of enduring a slow Windows XP OS, my husband bought a new laptop yesterday and gave me his old one to see if I could run Ubuntu on it.  So far I like what I see .