Wifi Can't Connect
I had wifi, now I don't.
I just upgraded my kernel (using aptitude) from 2.6.26-686 to 2.6.32-3-686 and followed that with "aptitude full-upgrade", which removed a number of packages (that I wasn't using anyway) because I had previously always used apt-get (and I understand the consequences of this). I also installed kde-minimal (version 4).
I know that the wifi was working for at least one session on the new kernel. But after a reboot, it stopped being able to connect. Alas, I do not know what I did in between. I was messing with aptitude without really knowing the consequences of my actions.
SYMPTOMS
Both when booting up and when trying things like "ifup wlan0" and "dhclient wlan0", I get the following response:
> DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 3
> DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 6
> DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 11
> DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 8
> DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 12
> DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 19
> DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 9
> DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 9
> DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 14
> DHCPDISCOVER on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 10
> No DHCPOFFERS received.
> No working leases in persistent database - sleeping.
When I open KWiFiManager, most of the time it sees my SSID and alternates between appearing connected -- i.e. green bars, good signal strength -- but with no Local IP, and an "Unavailable" Access Point; -- it stays like that for maybe 10-15 seconds, and then shows no connection.
CONFIGURATION
Basics: Dell Inspiron E1505, 2GB RAM. Running Lenny. Using repositories: lenny, testing, lenny-backports, lenny/updates (security), and debian-volatile.
I have a Verizon (Westell) wireless modem/router. My MacBook Pro is connected to it wirelessly with no problem. I use WPA authentication. My /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf file reads (actual values not given here):
> network={
> ssid="MY_SSID"
> psk="MY_PSK"
> }
My /etc/network/interfaces files reads:
> # This file describes the network interfaces available on your system
> # and how to activate them. For more information, see interfaces(5).
>
> # The loopback network interface
> auto lo
> iface lo inet loopback
>
> # The primary network interface -- This section commented-out on
> 12/31/09, and got wifi working in the first place.
> #allow-hotplug eth0
> #iface eth0 inet static
> # address 192.168.1.24
> # netmask 255.255.255.0
> # network 192.168.1.0
> # broadcast 192.168.1.255
> # gateway 192.168.1.1
> # # dns-* options are implemented by the resolvconf package, if installed
> # dns-nameservers 192.168.1.1
>
> # New DHCP Setup [WORKED UNTIL YESTERDAY]
> iface eth0 inet dhcp
> allow-hotplug eth0
>
>
>
> iface wlan0 inet dhcp
> wpa-driver wext
> wpa-key-mgmt WPA-PSK
> wpa-proto WPA
> wpa-ssid MY_SSID
>
> auto wlan0
Trying something I found on the web, I edited my /etc/dhcp3/dhclient.conf file by uncommenting the timeout line:
> #timeout 60;
> # NEXT LINE ADDED AS PER http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?t=21520
> timeout 100;
I've installed KNetworkManager, but I don't understand how it works, and adding my wifi network in the WiFi tab seems to do nothing at all.
I would appreciate any help anyone can offer!
- Mark
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