Automatic wireless connections

**arphaus** · May 22nd, 2008

I've made the permanent switch to Ubuntu about a month ago, but one issue is confounding me. My wireless network is setup for WPA security, and Ubuntu does not automagically connect when I'm at home. I've got to repeatedly enter the WPA password and after about 5-6 times Ubuntu finally joins the network. How can I get Ubuntu to just connect automatically? Our Windows laptop has no such issues.

thanks!

**pointone** · May 22nd, 2008

Are you getting a strong signal from your router/AP? Try moving closer to the router/AP and connect a few times.

**arphaus** · May 22nd, 2008

i'd like to know - except i managed to lose the wifi signal meter from the panel! the windows laptop is showing 80% - and i have noticed that mine seems to logon quicker when i'm next to the router. so you're probably on to something.

but ... why would the windows laptop just get online with no problems and ubuntu is a pita?

**wertyuiop408** · May 22nd, 2008

does your wpa password get stored in the keyrings, mine stores there and automatically connects on startup, or just asks for my keyrings password (login password for your ubuntu account)

**arphaus** · May 22nd, 2008

i haven't looked into keyrings yet - lemme take a peek...

**wertyuiop408** · May 22nd, 2008

Originally Posted by arphaus

- except i managed to lose the wifi signal meter from the panel!

what do you mean, do you mean the wireless option has disappeared from the network settings?

**arphaus** · May 22nd, 2008

Originally Posted by wertyuiop408

what do you mean, do you mean the wireless option has disappeared from the network settings?

No, just the meter showing signal strength in the panel.

I'm not sure how to setup a keyring for the WPA pw. I'll have to research it when I get a chance.

**wertyuiop408** · May 22nd, 2008

for the signal strength you can right click the pannel --> add to panel under the system and hardware area choose the network monitor, that shows the signal strength when you double click on it, but i dont think its that accurate

**pointone** · May 22nd, 2008

Originally Posted by arphaus

but ... why would the windows laptop just get online with no problems and ubuntu is a pita?

Better Windows drivers, perhaps? What brand of wireless card/device is it?

**arphaus** · May 22nd, 2008

the Windows drivers I'm not sure - I just got a used Thinkpad x41. For my Dell, I'll have to figure it out - not sure what the Device Manager equivalent is yet! For the most part, things have Just Worked, and I run XP in Virtualbox for some web design apps.