hello open source world...I have recently installed Ubuntu lucid lynx and at my old house I had a regular cable modem (no wifi) and never used wireless internet. I would simply unplug the ethernet from the windows desktop plug it to my laptop and I was good 2 go. I have recently moved and my roommate has a cable modem w/ wifi capabilities. When I plug in I am told that I am connected but......Nothing. I dont know if the problem is due to the modem having wireless capabilities when my old one did not or the fact that my roommate has a win7 laptop that is connected via wifi etc. There have been a FEW times that I have walked out plugged in and everything has ran well. when I do plug in I look under connection information and I am told that I am connected at 100Mbps but whenever I try to visit a page I am out of luck. I define newbie (as far as Linux distros) and I have tried everything including going to work w/no sleep because I'm going through massive trial & errors. Any help at all would be appreciated. I am sorry for being long winded, thank you for your time.

I have always found wicd to be a better GUI connection manager than "network manager", I suggest you install it. Network manager will automatically be uninstalled.

You have 2 options for your connection: Wireless or wired.

Things may not work if you have both enabled. Try one, or the other.

Turn your wireless off. Plug in a (known to be good) ethernet cable. Boot. You should be connected.
Or, unplug the cable, and use wicd to select and configure your connection.

Do not use "Static IP" at your first attempt, your PC will automatically ask the modem/router for an address by DHCP, and be given a suitable address and DNS server.

The win7 PC doesn't make any difference.

No matter, but a few paragraphs help

Welcome to LQ.

thank you very much for your response but I'm sad to say that wicd wont connect, it searches and says that it cant locate my IP address. After I installed it via the terminal I noticed that at one point it said "fail" This is a copy of the terminal readout...


brian@HP-Unix:~$ sudo apt-get install wicd
[sudo] password for brian:
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
sdparm fglrx-kernel-source
Use 'apt-get autoremove' to remove them.
The following extra packages will be installed:
python-iniparse python-wicd wicd-daemon wicd-gtk
The following NEW packages will be installed:
python-iniparse python-wicd wicd wicd-daemon wicd-gtk
0 upgraded, 5 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
Need to get 559kB of archives.
After this operation, 3,117kB of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue [Y/n]? y
Get:1 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid/universe python-wicd 1.7.0+ds1-2 [76.3kB]
Get:2 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid/main python-iniparse 0.3.1-1 [19.0kB]
Get:3 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid/universe wicd-daemon 1.7.0+ds1-2 [277kB]
Get:4 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid/universe wicd-gtk 1.7.0+ds1-2 [146kB]
Get:5 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid/universe wicd 1.7.0+ds1-2 [40.1kB]
Fetched 559kB in 5s (103kB/s)
Preconfiguring packages ...
Selecting previously deselected package python-wicd.
(Reading database ... 153494 files and directories currently installed.)
Unpacking python-wicd (from .../python-wicd_1.7.0+ds1-2_all.deb) ...
Selecting previously deselected package python-iniparse.
Unpacking python-iniparse (from .../python-iniparse_0.3.1-1_all.deb) ...
Selecting previously deselected package wicd-daemon.
Unpacking wicd-daemon (from .../wicd-daemon_1.7.0+ds1-2_all.deb) ...
Selecting previously deselected package wicd-gtk.
Unpacking wicd-gtk (from .../wicd-gtk_1.7.0+ds1-2_all.deb) ...
Selecting previously deselected package wicd.
Unpacking wicd (from .../wicd_1.7.0+ds1-2_all.deb) ...
Processing triggers for ureadahead ...
ureadahead will be reprofiled on next reboot
Processing triggers for man-db ...
Processing triggers for python-gmenu ...
Rebuilding /usr/share/applications/desktop.en_US.utf8.cache...
Processing triggers for desktop-file-utils ...
Processing triggers for hicolor-icon-theme ...
Processing triggers for python-support ...
Setting up python-wicd (1.7.0+ds1-2) ...

Setting up python-iniparse (0.3.1-1) ...

Setting up wicd-daemon (1.7.0+ds1-2) ...
* Starting Network connection manager wicd [fail] <------------------

Setting up wicd-gtk (1.7.0+ds1-2) ...

Setting up wicd (1.7.0+ds1-2) ...
Processing triggers for python-support ...
brian@HP-Unix:~$

Again, I thank you for any & all help.

That's odd.
Just [fail] with no explanation????

Here are some things for you to check:

It is important that Network Manager (NM) is removed before wicd will work. NM was removed automatically when I installed wicd.

Use synaptic to make sure NM has truly gone (the install for wicd text you posted made no reference to removing NM, when I think it should have done). If NM is still there, remove it and then reboot.

Your /etc/network/interfaces file should contain only the following:
If that fails, then I wonder if your wireless is working?

Make sure the wireless switch (if you have one) is on
Open a terminal and type sudo iwlist scan

You should see a list of available access points, and yours should be among them.

A couple of clarifications please:
1] Can I take it that you managed to get a connection with your ethernet cable [which was your original question] ?

2] After your initial install, did you let the package manager apply all the updates?

hello again. I wish I could say that I'm having better luck. 1st to answer your questions, I am told that I do have a connection through my ethernet cable but when I open my homepage the connection times out after 20 seconds or so. 2nd, I used a karmic koala live CD and after installing when I updated I was told that a new long term release was available so I updated to Lucid. I did this at my mothers home, she does not have a wireless modem and the internet was perfect. I went into synaptic after I read your response and removed the network manager and I'm still stuck. I've tried with my wireless button on and with it off. Same results. I apologize for my ignorance but I don't quite understand the code that you listed. I'm still trying to learn the whole file system configuration of Linux. (it's rather intimidating after using windows for so long) I went into the directory _ /etc/network/interfaces _ and there were 4 folders (1) if-down.d (2) if-post-down.d (3) if-pre-up.d (4)if-up.d
also there is a file that says interfaces. I'm not sure if this is important but in etc-file browser next to my network folder there is still a folder for NetworkManager. I don't know if I should delete the folder or just go ahead and reinstall karmic without updating to lucid. Sorry to be so long winded but I am just trying to be as descriptive as possiable. Thank you very much for your time.

brian@HP-Unix:~$ sudo iwlist scan
[sudo] password for brian:
lo Interface doesn't support scanning.

eth0 Interface doesn't support scanning.

wlan0 Scan completed :
Cell 01 - Address: 00:18:3A:BB:29:6A
Channel:1
Frequency:2.412 GHz (Channel 1)
Quality=25/70 Signal level=-85 dBm
Encryption keyn
ESSID:"08FX08032740"
Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
Mode:Master
Extra:tsf=00000066371a25c4
Extra: Last beacon: 4120ms ago
IE: Unknown: 000C303846583038303332373430
IE: Unknown: 010882848B962430486C
IE: Unknown: 030101
IE: Unknown: 2A0100
IE: Unknown: 2F0100
IE: Unknown: 32040C121860
IE: Unknown: DD090010180200F0000000
IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101000003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
Cell 02 - Address: 00:18:3A:BB:29:6B
Channel:1
Frequency:2.412 GHz (Channel 1)
Quality=28/70 Signal level=-82 dBm
Encryption keyn
ESSID:"\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"
Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
Mode:Master
Extra:tsf=00000066371a200a
Extra: Last beacon: 4124ms ago
IE: Unknown: 000A00000000000000000000
IE: Unknown: 010882848B962430486C
IE: Unknown: 030101
IE: Unknown: 050402030000
IE: Unknown: 2A0100
IE: Unknown: 2F0100
IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
Group Cipher : CCMP
Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP
Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
IE: Unknown: 32040C121860
IE: Unknown: DD0E0050F204104A0001101044000102
IE: Unknown: DD090010180200F0000000
IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101000003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
Cell 03 - Address: 00:25:56:49:42:CE
Channel:1
Frequency:2.412 GHz (Channel 1)
Quality=36/70 Signal level=-74 dBm
Encryption keyn
ESSID:"5f7a"
Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
Mode:Master
Extra:tsf=000000000120fc4e
Extra: Last beacon: 88ms ago
IE: Unknown: 000435663761
IE: Unknown: 010882848B962430486C
IE: Unknown: 030101
IE: Unknown: 2A0100
IE: Unknown: 2F0100
IE: Unknown: 32040C121860
IE: Unknown: DD090010180200F0000000
IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101800003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
Cell 04 - Address: 00:12:17:E1:CE:28
Channel:6
Frequency:2.437 GHz (Channel 6)
Quality=22/70 Signal level=-88 dBm
Encryption keyn
ESSID:"\x00\x00\x00"
Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
Mode:Master
Extra:tsf=00000066393d0185
Extra: Last beacon: 2304ms ago
IE: Unknown: 0003000000
IE: Unknown: 010882848B962430486C
IE: Unknown: 030106
IE: Unknown: 050400010000
IE: Unknown: 2A0100
IE: Unknown: 2F0100
IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
Group Cipher : TKIP
Pairwise Ciphers (2) : CCMP TKIP
Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
IE: Unknown: 32040C121860
IE: Unknown: DD06001018020004
IE: WPA Version 1
Group Cipher : TKIP
Pairwise Ciphers (2) : CCMP TKIP
Authentication Suites (1) : PSK

Im having to split this into 2 post because I'm being told that I am including too many images in my post, I'm sorry to be so difficult but here is the 2nd part of the terminal readout.......... sorry about the smilies I did not put them there this is just copy/paste from the terminal


Cell 05 - Address: 00:22:3F:88:E0:E4
Channel:11
Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11)
Quality=25/70 Signal level=-85 dBm
Encryption keyff
ESSID:"NETGEAR"
Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
Mode:Master
Extra:tsf=00000066383cc183
Extra: Last beacon: 88ms ago
IE: Unknown: 00074E455447454152
IE: Unknown: 010882848B962430486C
IE: Unknown: 03010B
IE: Unknown: 2A0100
IE: Unknown: 2F0100
IE: Unknown: 32040C121860
IE: Unknown: DD090010180202F0000000
IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101800003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
Cell 06 - Address: 00:0F:66:03:74:7C
Channel:11
Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11)
Quality=22/70 Signal level=-88 dBm
Encryption keyn
ESSID:"drivera"
Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
Mode:Master
Extra:tsf=00000066397ea18b
Extra: Last beacon: 112ms ago
IE: Unknown: 000764726976657261
IE: Unknown: 010882848B962430486C
IE: Unknown: 03010B
IE: Unknown: 2A0100
IE: Unknown: 2F0100
IE: Unknown: 32040C121860
IE: Unknown: DD06001018020004
IE: WPA Version 1
Group Cipher : TKIP
Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP
Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
Cell 07 - Address: 00:11:24:0D2:55
Channel:6
Frequency:2.437 GHz (Channel 6)
Quality=21/70 Signal level=-89 dBm
Encryption keyn
ESSID:"Lance Stephan's Network"
Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s
Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s
36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
Mode:Master
Extra:tsf=00000065fa52cf75
Extra: Last beacon: 2312ms ago
IE: Unknown: 00174C616E6365205374657068616E2773204E6574776F726B
IE: Unknown: 010482848B96
IE: Unknown: 030106
IE: Unknown: 2A0100
IE: Unknown: 2F0100
IE: Unknown: 32080C1218243048606C
IE: Unknown: DD0700039301660000
IE: Unknown: DD06001018020000
IE: WPA Version 1
Group Cipher : TKIP
Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP
Authentication Suites (1) : PSK

Sorry to hear you have been having such a frustrating time.

Linux is different from windows, and yes, it does take time to be able to use it intuitively. Windows probably took you a while to learn too, but you may have forgotten your initial frustrations.

You have been doing fine though, just persevere with linux, and gradually things will become clearer, and you begin to think "of course, that's the obvious way to do it!". When win (at work) fails I think "OK, I'll just ps -Al | grep ... ooops, it's win, can't do that, so I'll remain ignorant of the real problem and reboot". Tedious, and boring, and keeps on failing.

Now, I think I know where the basis of your problems lies:

You installed 9.10 and then upgraded to 10.04. I don't think you gave 9.10 a chance to update itself before you upgraded.

Upgrades are flaky at best (a clean install, then copy your data files over, works much better), and more likely to end in a muddle if the version that is being upgraded (to the next version) isn't already completely up to date (as the old version). As a new user, you cannot be expected to know this.

So, I suggest you reinstall, but just start afresh with 10.04, lucid-whatever from here.

10.04 has the advantage that it is Long Term Support (LTS) and will be supported for 3 years, so you won't have to keep "upgrading", though you will have to "update" from time-to time. I was using 8.04 (LTS) till 10.04 came out. The intermediate releases were not LTS. Fun to play with, but not for my "workhorse".

As to your other comments:

Your wireless listing is perfectly satisfactory - your wireless chipset is working, and can see access points. You don't say if yours is listed, but it probably is. The full list isn't needed for us to help you, just the fact that your AP is seen. Getting a connection should be trivial, but not worth bothering with now, as your current system is probably in a confused mess. So please start with a clean install of 10.04

Your /etc/network/interfaces file is just that, a file, and you found it (but did not, I think open, or read it).

It's just a text file, and describes your internet interfaces, in more or less plain text (lots of abbreviations, we tend to be lazy) and how they should be set up. Many linux configuration files are just that: Plain text, usually with plenty of comments (comment lines always start with the # symbol) telling you what things mean, and what the options are. That said, interfaces has few comments (unless you put them there, as I do, in mine) but you can find out more about it with the man interfaces command in a terminal.

This is a refreshing change from other operating systems, which try to hide how things work from you. Linux is "open" in more ways than "you can read and change the source code". If something is broken, and you can read how it is supposed to work, the chances are that you can fix it, or find someone (maybe even here on LQ,) who can help you help yourself.

So, start with a fresh install. Nothing lost (except some time), and the gain is that you have already learnt some new things.

Then come back to LQ (to this thread if you like).

Good luck, and above all, have fun.

you sir..........are the man!!!!!!!!! you are absolutely correct, right after my karmic install I was informed that a new LTS was available and I said yes (b4 updating anything else) due to the 3 year support. I'm going to go with a fresh install and maybe clear up this mess. I sincerely appreciate all your help and patience. I will without doubt return to LQ and with time hopefully be able to assist others. I will keep you posted and if you where in the states I'd take you out for a pint and have my wife bake you a cheesecake!

I went ahead and burned an ISO of 10.04 and gave that a go, I had the same exact problem with Auto Eth0 (recognize connection, no activity) I then installed wicd and received the the -fail- in terminal. After that I had 2 options, throw the laptop across the room or try a new distro. I chose new distro and everything is cool like a fool in a pool. Thank you for all your help.

I had similar issue with 10.4. I was doing a fresh install but I couldn't connect to the internet. No wireless for me so I couldn't try that. What worked for me is the mac address was pre-sent on installation. wasn't sure if the mac was correct so I left it alone. I decided to try and add another wired connection and left the mac blank. wa la! internet connection. So, to go further, I deleted the new wired connection, went back to auto eth0 and removed the mac address. Connection work.

For those who want to skip the above details:

If there's a mac address when you edit the connection for eth0, clear it out and save.

If it doesn't connect, just disconnect and reconnect.

Can't thank you enough, your solution worked perfectly.