Wireless ISSUEs and I'm LOST

[JFAWCETT]

I'm sorry, I just joined this site and I'm very far from knowing where I should POST this, so I'll try it here.

I have a DELL MINI 9 with Ubuntu 8.04 loaded on it. I LOST(forgot) my ADMIN Password. I tried and tried to get DELL support to help me, no luck even getting through. I came to the conclusion I needed to reinstall the OS. I don't have a CD-DRIVE for the OS Disk. I did however get my hands on a USB memory stick with Ubuntu 9.1 on it. So I loaded it...I could NOT for the life of me get my wireless to work. I tried everything( I think). In addition to that problem I was getting HARDDRIVE ERROR messages. I searched all these forums for answers without any success. So, I went to the local Office Supply and purchased a "stand alone" CD-DRIVE so I could reload the original OS. My HARDDRIVE errors have vanished(that's a good thing). Now, I still can't get the Wireless to work??? It worked fine before I messed with the computer?
It "finds" my wireless network just fine, shows I have a very strong signal. It asks me to input my "passphrase", I do, as I have for all my wireless computers,etc. It tries to log-on, it always comes right back to asking me to enter my passphrase....an endless loop.
What am I doing wrong????? I'm clearly not a computer expert.
I need to add, my system worked fine from Oct'09 when I oginally purchased it. All my issues started yesterday when I tried to get my ADMIN password.
Thank you in advance for your help.
John

[JFAWCETT]

I'm sorry, I just joined this site and I'm very far from knowing where I should POST this, so I'll try it here.
I have a DELL MINI 9 with Ubuntu 8.04 loaded on it. I LOST(forgot) my ADMIN Password. I tried and tried to get DELL support to help me, no luck even getting through. I came to the conclusion I needed to reinstall the OS. I don't have a CD-ROM for the Disk. I did however get my hands on a USB memory stick with Ubuntu 9.1 on it. So I loaded it...I could NOT for the life of me get my wireless to work. I tried everything( I think). In addition to that problem I was getting HARDRIVE ERROR messages. I searched all these forums for answers without any success. So, I went to the local Office Supply and purchased a "stand alone" CD-ROM so I could reload the original OS. My HARDDRIVE errors have vanished(that's a good thing). Now, I still can't get the Wireless to work??? It worked fine before I messed with the computer?
It "finds" my wireless network just fine, shows I have a very strong signal. It asks me to input my "passphrase", I do, as I have for all my wireless computers,etc. It tries to log-on, it always comes right back to asking me to enter my passphrase....and endless loop.
What am I doing wrong????? I'm clearly not a computer expert.
Thank you in advance for your help.
John

[JFAWCETT]

I'm sorry, I just joined this site and I'm very far from knowing where I should POST this, so I'll try it here.
I have a DELL MINI 9 with Ubuntu 8.04 loaded on it. I LOST(forgot) my ADMIN Password. I tried and tried to get DELL support to help me, no luck even getting through. I came to the conclusion I needed to reinstall the OS. I don't have a CD-ROM for the Disk. I did however get my hands on a USB memory stick with Ubuntu 9.1 on it. So I loaded it...I could NOT for the life of me get my wireless to work. I tried everything( I think). In addition to that problem I was getting HARDRIVE ERROR messages. I searched all these forums for answers without any success. So, I went to the local Office Supply and purchased a "stand alone" CD-ROM so I could reload the original OS. My HARDDRIVE errors have vanished(that's a good thing). Now, I still can't get the Wireless to work??? It worked fine before I messed with the computer?
It "finds" my wireless network just fine, shows I have a very strong signal. It asks me to input my "passphrase", I do, as I have for all my wireless computers,etc. It tries to log-on, it always comes right back to asking me to enter my passphrase....and endless loop.
What am I doing wrong????? I'm clearly not a computer expert.
Thank you in advance for your help.
John

[cariboo]

Please don't create multiple threads on the same subject. I have Merged three of the threads, the fourth was closed..

[cariboo]

First off, there many threads with instruction on what to do if you have lost/forgotten your password. A quick google search with the words "Ubuntu lost password", would have brought you this link.

As for your wireless problem, can you connect if you turn off wireless protection?

[JFAWCETT]

First off, there many threads with instruction on what to do if you have lost/forgotten your password. A quick google search with the words "Ubuntu lost password", would have brought you this link.

As for your wireless problem, can you connect if you turn off wireless protection?

I don't know what "wireless protection" is....or, where to find it to see if it's "on or off"....