How come KDE has no problem getting online with my wireless network, but its impossible for xfce or lxde to do so?

Wicd has a bad password error whereby the correct password is rejected. In KDE, this error disappears and the network works as normal. If one suspends to RAM, you have to sudo su and run ifconfig wlan0 down and then ifconfig wlan0 up when using KDE.

I'm running Linux mint. My network uses a Linksys router wpa/wpa2 personal with tkip.

Strangely enough, when running PC-BSD with these desktops, I run into the identical issue.

Its like some codec is missing from the stripped down desktops.

Hi

while you have a working network with KDE pls install wicd-gtk

which is a graphical independent wireless network control app

you will need to see preferences and properties to input the passphrase etc