Package: wicd-gtk Version: 1.7.4+tb2-1 Changing bitrate to 1 from 2 gives $ diff /etc/wicd/wireless-settings.conf /tmp/ 42c42 < bitrate = True --- > bitrate = 2 108c108 < bitrate = True --- > bitrate = 2 Which is probably why it becomes "auto" instead of staying at 1 when one looks at /etc/wicd/wireless-settings.conf again. In fact just hitting Refresh there wipes out our painstakingly entered bitrates.