The problem with that is this: I am not see any of the problems in those
threads.  They are basically complaining about the driver causing three
different problems.  My wireless shows up (problem 1), my wireless will
connect (problem 2), and finally, as long as encryption is not turned on, it
will browse the Internet all day long (problem 3).

Here is a test:
  - Disconnect from wired network
    -> Network Manager goes off line

  - On my cell phone (E71) app->Installed->JoikuSpot
  - Allow sharing your Internet Connection = yes
  - AT&T Internet
  - Add JoikuSpot to connection groups = yes, Default
    -> JoikuSpot started on phone

  - Wait a few moments for laptop to see phone
    -> Since it has connected this way before, it automatically connects

  - Open Firefox and browse to a random page not visited before
    -> success!!!

This is not a driver, or wireless card issue.  The wireless hardware is
working perfectly.  Security is WEP, not WPA/TKIP, so it works.  It will
also connect when there is no encryption.  This is, as I said in my original
post, a problem that used to be solved by installing wpa_supplicant, but
that is already installed.  There is something else... Ubuntu based, that is
causing it, the hardware is fine.  Not System76's fault as far as I can see.

So, I ask again, anyone have any (other) ideas on what could be causing
this?

Kevin

On Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 3:46 PM, Jim March <1.jim.march@gmail.com> wrote:

> Huh.  OK, we're dealing with a Realtek RTL8187B chipset.  So the next step
> is to see if anybody is having issues with it, googling:
>
> ubuntu karmic 8187B
>
> Sure enough:
>
> http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1194838
>
> http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=765671
>
> https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Device/RealtekRTL8187b
>
> http://ubuntu-ky.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=8445810
>
> Looks like a total mess.  If it were me, assuming I was running 32bit
> Karmic, I'd consider trying the NDISWrapper instructions (with link to a
> Windows driver) in the top-most item above.
>
> The next question is, why is System76 shipping a WiFi chipset with Linux
> drivers that are known to be flakier than a box of corn flakes?
>
> Assuming your WiFi card inside the laptop is in a mini-PCI or mini-express
> slot, I'd complain to System76 and demand something based on an Atheros or
> Intel chipset that works right out of the box.
>
> Jim
>
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