I've read approx 60 different threads on this topic but with no help to my problem. I installed Wicd since I couldn't get Network Manager to work. It too could "see" the networks, but couldn't connect. I've also removed all security from my router and even renamed it and made sure it is on broadcast.

lshw -C network gives me

description: Wireless interface
physical id: 2
logical name: wlan0
serial: 00:0e:3b:0d:50:5d
capabilities: ethernet physical wireless
configuration: broadcast=yes multicast=yes wireless=IEEE 802.11bgn

I'm using a USB Hawking HWDN1. Connects great on Windows 7 on same pc. This is my first time using a linux os and really don't wanna give up before I can get it going. Please explain exactly any steps I need to fix this, I am a n00b.

Also, using Ubuntu "karmic" and have tried Wicd version 1.5.9, 1.5.4. 1.6.1 and 1.6.2. Please help

I had a similar problem. WEP defaults to "open" while many access points run "shared". It can be troublesome to track down where to make this change depending on your distro and network utilities.

~~~ 0;-Dan