SOLVED* Wireless Network Problem in Ubuntu *SOLVED

[swampler]

I installed Ubuntu 8.10 on the kids' computer today, but can't get the wireless network to work with it. It connects to the local pay-as-you-go wireless, but won't connect to my linksys router. I tried disabling WPA / security completely, but still no go.

Anyone here happen to use Ubuntu and have a clue on what I might try to get it to connect? It works fine with an ethernet cable, but the wife won't let that stay strung across the floor for long.

Thanks.

[swampler]

Update: Seems to be working...for now...the signal is real weak, even though I'm in the same room as the router. Perhaps it has interference from the cabling around the antenna.

[brian.austin]

Try switching channels on your wireless router. The clients will find the new channel automatically.

[swampler]

Originally Posted by brian.austin

Try switching channels on your wireless router. The clients will find the new channel automatically.

Thanks, Brian. That seems to have helped...now to make sure it didn't adversely affect the laptops. Seems I had it optimized for the laptop at one time.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by swampler

Thanks, Brian. That seems to have helped...now to make sure it didn't adversely affect the laptops. Seems I had it optimized for the laptop at one time.

The laptops should pick up the new channels automatically. At the very worst, you might have to reboot or restart the wireless connection.

[OdzBodkinz]

Have you tried updating the firmware on the router?

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by OdzBodkinz

Have you tried updating the firmware on the router?

What he's probably seeing is channel contention between other wireless access points (APs). This is common, especially where there are a lot of APs. The standards only allow for 11 channels and when you've got a lot of APs in the area, there is usually someone on the same channel.

If the signal is weak enough, it's not a big deal. If it's closer or more powerful, though, it can be a problem. Changing channels is usually the fastest fix.

[swampler]

It's working now, much better. I swapped from ch 3 to ch 10 and that took care of it.

Now, if I can just get the sound working and get access to the 2nd hard drive... (and people complain about Windows! ).

[JDArt]

How is Ubuntu? I've been considering putting it on a machine I have here.

[swampler]

It actually works fairly well. I installed wine (Windows emulator) to try to get some games to work for the kids, but they wouldn't run well. If you can get by without stuff that only runs on Windows, then it would be fine. Only thing I never got to work is the sound, though. The drivers appeared to be loaded, but no sound came out of the speakers.

Oh, and they have a 32 bit and 64 bit version. I installed the 32 bit 'cause it was just an Athlon 850 that I put it on. You can also boot off the CD and play with it without affecting your hard drive / current OS at all.

[FatNakedGuy]

scope this link out.. it makes reference to Ubuntu 8.10 sound issues and how to fix them. worked on my kids computer a few weeks back


[all variants] Comprehensive Multimedia & Video Howto - Ubuntu Forums

[swampler]

Originally Posted by FatNakedGuy

scope this link out.. it makes reference to Ubuntu 8.10 sound issues and how to fix them. worked on my kids computer a few weeks back


[all variants] Comprehensive Multimedia & Video Howto - Ubuntu Forums

Thanks, but as it turns out, the CD reader in the computer was bad (got lucky with the Ubuntu install, I guess) and I finally got XP to load once I replaced the CD drive.