Wicd doesn't find any networks

codeman1234 · 01-16-2011, 12:21 PM

Hey everyone,

I just installed Debian Lenny on my new laptop, I uninstall network-manager and install wicd but, it looks that wicd when it scans for networks doesn't find any networks and I don't understand why.

I look over my sources.list and it looks ok, then I check the lspci command and my wifi card is detected by the kernel because is an Atheros card, also I install madwifi-tools, so, if anyone can help me solve this I will appreciatte.

Cheers!!!

jmd9qs · 01-16-2011, 01:25 PM

First, I'd suggest you try to do a manual scan to make sure the card is working. I haven't done this with an Atheros chipset but I'm sure it's the same. Do this:

Code:

sudo iwlist <name-of-wifi-interface> scan | less

That should bring up some wifi access points... if it doesn't you may not have your card configured properly or it's not functioning (unlikely, IMHO).

With wicd, I've had problems before because I wasn't in the "netdev" group. Make sure you are a part of this group, it could potentially solve your problem:

Code:

sudo gpasswd -a <username> netdev

If none of this works, we'll need to see your wifi card's information. Post the output of:

Code:

sudo lspci

Good luck!

codeman1234 · 01-16-2011, 03:23 PM

Hey mate,

first of all I just did a ifconfig and I got the following:

XXXX:/home/XXX# ifconfig

eth0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:1d:72:2c:33:ad
UP BROADCAST MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:0 (0.0 B) TX bytes:0 (0.0 B)
Interrupt:16

lo Link encap:Local Loopback
inet addr:127.0.0.1 Mask:255.0.0.0
inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
UP LOOPBACK RUNNING MTU:16436 Metric:1
RX packets:8 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:8 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
RX bytes:560 (560.0 B) TX bytes:560 (560.0 B)

So, there is no ath0 or wlan0 but, the funny thing is when I do a lspci (as you ask)

XXXX:/home/XXX# lspci | grep Atheros
04:00.0 Ethernet controller: Atheros Communications Inc. AR242x 802.11abg Wireless PCI Express Adapter (rev 01)

Here is my interfaces file

XXXX:/home/XXX# cat /etc/network/interfaces
# This file describes the network interfaces available on your system
# and how to activate them. For more information, see interfaces(5).

# The loopback network interface
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

# The primary network interface
allow-hotplug wlan0
iface wlan0 inet static
address 192.168.XXX.XX
netmask 255.255.255.0
network 192.168.1.0
broadcast 192.168.1.255
gateway 192.168.1.1
# wireless-* options are implemented by the wireless-tools package
wireless-mode managed
wireless-essid XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
wireless-key1 s:XXXXXXXXXXX
# dns-* options are implemented by the resolvconf package, if installed
dns-nameservers XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX
LT-LD:/etc/network#

I dont understand why my card is detected but, it doesnt work, how can I make it work?

Cheers!!!

jmd9qs · 01-16-2011, 11:20 PM

Sorry it took so long to reply...

Try this:

Code:

sudo ifconfig wlan0 up

That should bring up your wireless card. After that, you can try the scan again.

ps - if wlan0 doesn't work, try ath0 like you said... since it's atheros that might be what it is, not sure.