When I try to use my wireless on linux, I get an error message stating that wlan0 fails to activate due to an error 0686. This happens whether I try to activate manually or set it to activate on start-up. Here is the complete error message:

Component: system-config-network
Version: 1.3.99.18
Summary: TB3c0e7198 GUI_functions.py:466:gui_run_dialog:AttributeError: 'NoneType' object has no attribute 'connect'
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/share/system-config-network/netconfpkg/gui/maindialog.py", line 722, in on_activateButton_clicked
self.activateButtonFunc[self.active_page](button)
File "/usr/share/system-config-network/netconfpkg/gui/maindialog.py", line 939, in on_deviceActivateButton_clicked
(status, txt) = dev.activate(dialog = self.dialog)
File "/usr/share/system-config-network/netconfpkg/NCDevice.py", line 427, in activate
dialog = dialog )
File "/usr/share/system-config-network/netconfpkg/NC_functions.py", line 573, in generic_run_dialog
dialog = dialog)
File "/usr/share/system-config-network/netconfpkg/gui/GUI_functions.py", line 466, in gui_run_dialog
dlg.connect( "delete-event", __on_Dialog_close )
AttributeError: 'NoneType' object has no attribute 'connect'
Local variables in innermost frame:
xml: <glade.XML object (PyGladeXML) at 0xa18ab44>
stdin: 0
dlg: None
string: <module 'string' from '/usr/lib/python2.4/string.pyc'>
img: None
title: system-config-network:
Network device activating...
root: /
gtk: <module 'gtk' from '/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/gtk-2.0/gtk/__init__.pyc'>
command: /sbin/ifup
CancelException: netconfpkg.gui.GUI_functions.CancelException
label: Activating network device wlan0, please wait...
catchfd: (1, 2)
searchPath: 0
argv: ['/sbin/ifup', 'wlan0', 'up']
closefd: -1
dialog: <gnome.ui.App object (GnomeApp) at 0x9f6ef2c>
swindow: None
os: <module 'os' from '/usr/lib/python2.4/os.pyc'>
lbl: None
select: <module 'select' from '/usr/lib/python2.4/lib-dynload/selectmodule.so'>
errlabel: Cannot activate network device wlan0!

Now, I am running RedHat 5.4 in a dual boot with Windows XP. (It works fine in Windows.) I am using an Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG adapter. Furthermore, this has worked before. Has anybody had a similar problem? Is it just a matter of entering the password? (If so, how do I enter the password without first activating the network adapter?)

It's possible that your wireless may be identified as eth1, rather than as wlan0.

Please post the output of ifconfig and of lspic, being sure to surround it with "code" tags, which become available when you click the "Go Advanced" button at the bottom of the quick reply window.

Since you are using RHEL, you could call them for support if you purchased a license that provides support.