I can currently and easily associate in linux so long as what I'm associating with has wep key. I put in the essid, then the key, and I'm instantly associated. However if I try to associate with an AP that doesn't require a key, I put in the essid and no association. I try also entering the mac address of the AP and still no association. Is there a trick to having it associating when no authentication is required?

I should note that it usually brings up some of the information about the AP at this point (Frequency and such) but clearly says "unassociated"

What command are you using to report "unassociated"? IWCONFIG?
Are you using fixed IP addresses or DHCP?

Yes I've been using IWCONFIG to set the ESSid, mac and check for association. I'm also using DHCP to get an IP

Like I Said, when I set the essid and key, it hooks right up, I run dhclient and get an IP no issue. I try another AP, and put in the essid, and mac ID of the Ap and run dhclient and it fails everytime and when running iwconfig it says "unassociated"