When I enter iwlist wlan0 scan, I get 4 connections, with the essids as "williamsnet", wiredawghall etc., could I use these? One has no encryption.

If they have no encryption then yes you could use them, that is if you use dhcpcd and they have a dhcp server or else you'll have to guess on a IP address.

It also might be polite to ask if you can use it. I realize an open AP is asking for people to connect, but the owner may be unaware that the AP is open.

I know these people.

So I just use their essid and ap?

That should do the trick, but as Brian said, you have to figure out if you can use dhcp or if you have to use a static IP.

Shit.
Now, when I enter iwlist wlan0 scan, I get about 20-30 connections with all the same frequency and settings of mine, except for one or two with a essid as "B" or "D", and a different frequency and ap.

I can't find any useable connections and I can't find the linksys one which is in the room next door, is there any way it could be hidden?

My sister too next door to me who's on a wireless laptop can't find the ap computer on the network either, now she's getting "williamsnet". Wtf, mate?

Also. Would I need to have found the linksys connection through the iwlist wlan0 scan for me to be able to change my comps essid to that? Because when i try it now nothing happens it just stays at ESSID:Off/Any.

Any idea what's going on? Do you think simply unplugging my adapter for a couple dasy could just make this problem go away?

Hidden is unlikely, secured with WEP is a more likely possibility. Maybe they changed the ESSID. If you live in an apartment building, I suppose it is possible that you could have a bunch of AP that you are seeing. 20-30 seems a bit much though.

To be honest, the best way to solve this is to talk to the person owning the AP. Have them change the ESSID to something besides linksys and set up a WEP key. That would let you set up the card to see that AP without having to scan and it should also help at least somewhat if you have a bunch of competeing APs.

And no, taking the card out for a couple of days isn't going to help.

Ok, I've ran the scan since and everythings back to normal, but I still haven't found the AP's connection in the room next door, the essid isthe default linksys, but I can't find it with the scan, and when I just try and use iwconfig wlan0 essid "linksys", it never changes.

I'm going to try and enter the wep as well and see if that changes anything. Any idea on how to find it.

If the system is WEP protected, then that is why you can't see it. The usual wireless router security steps are to turn off ESSID broadcast and turn on WEP and if they've done that, you wont see the ESSID without the WEP key.

The only legitimate way to get the WEP key is to ask the owner of the router.

I have access to that computer I just don't know how to find the wep, it's winxp pro, this is all legit, I'm not using another connection, I'm going to try to use my ap.

The only place the WEP key is going to be stored in a readable fashion is on the AP. The XP box may have a copy, but it is encrypted so no one can read it. That is why I keep saying you need to talk to whoever owns the AP. If that is you, then you should know your own WEP. If it isn't your AP, then you need to ask.

Good god, it's not my AP but I live with the person. I'm pretty sure I've said this already. Anyway, they wouldn't know their WEP, they're not really an option, but I have access to the AP. I've just never had to find the WEP on that computer.

Well, since I'm just annoying you, I'll stop helping.

What was the point of replying then?

The point in replying was that I've taken my time to help you find a solution to your problem and in return I've gotten attitutde. If nothing else, maybe you'll learn that manners count.