I have recently given Mandriva 2009 a go. My first obstacle is connecting to the internet.
I have an internal wireless card Intel Corporation Pro/Wireless 2200BG. The card is recognised and drivers loaded. Wireless networks are found but I cannot connect to them. There is no error message just a simple acknowledgement of a connection attempt then nothing. The same applies when I try my neighbours unsecured network.

Have you entered the WPA or WEP key if necessary.What's the output of iwconfig? I don't use Mandriva but wicd should work on Mandriva too.I recommend it.Here's the site.Download the tar.gz file.

I am not a Linux or a Mandriva GURU but I have been using Mandriva 2009 Gnome for several months and I have found that even when an unsecured network that most often they are not completely accessible. On the other hand I have never had any problems connecting to my own broadband connection providing I use the correct WAP. I think that even though many unsecured networks don't have a password persay they do require a special number found on the modem or router especially when the router or modem comes from a service provider. At least here in the US.