I have a Gateway T-series laptop running 12.04. Upon start-up, the wifi works and the webcam (sometimes) works with Cheese. But if I close Cheese and try to re-open it, not only does it not work, but it causes my wireless capability to disappear. It's like the wireless card is gone. And sometimes Cheese doesn't work at all, and the wireless will sometimes just shut off on its own.

I know I have an rtl8187b wireless card which I had to work some voodoo with when I was running 9.10 but I figured it wouldn't be a problem in 12.04.

Ideas will be appreciated. Thanks.