NetworkManager can't connect to wireless networks
 

I'm using NetworkManager, and it can see wireless networks in the area just fine - but I am unable to connect to them. When I try, I get the swirling animation for awhile with neither of the lights coming on and then it gives up. I have the proper ipw3945 drivers installed.

are the networks encrypted?

From the command line as root try "iwconfig" and post the output.

You'll need to know a little about the router you are trying to connect to - especially if it is "open" or encrypted via WPA or WEP.

can you connect to a network manually using iwconfig (as stated above)?

you can try wicd, instead of network-manager:

http://wicd.sourceforge.net/download.php

there is a sources.list entry for it, for easy install. IMO, i like to have network connect at boot without requiring a login, and detest the need for a keyring

IMO, network-manager is notoriously flaky