Ubuntu chosing "wrong" wireless network

[JarlH]

I recently installed Ubuntu 8.10 on my mothers laptop. (Windows died and couldn't resurrect.)

I've got everything up and running. The main problem right now is that the computer tries to connect to one the neighbors' wireless network when started... Means my mother is asked for that network's password. (And she calls me to tell me that the stupid computer doesn't work when she can't connect...)

As a temporary workaround I renamed my mother's network to AAA, to make sure it will be the first one found. This works just fine.

But the problem is that she is also spending some time at her boyfriend's place, and I can't rename that network.

Can I list a few wireless networks as "default" networks? I.e. when the computer is started connect to one of these (when available), if none of them are there proceed as normal?

 

[IPGuru]

this problem should not be happening
It should automaticaly try to connect to a network it has a password for first.

However I have seen from personal experience that NetworkManager on ubuntu can be flaky at best.
it may be worth investigating the alternatives

also depending on your wifi card it may be better to use the madwifi drivers rather than the default kernel modules
(this is certainly the case for the atheros wifi card on my Aspire 1 running fedora)

 

[BadBigBen]

see if this is of any help:

http://wicd.sourceforge.net/

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/WirelessTroubleShootingGuide#Router Connection

https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/22494

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=815079

Network Manager - Effortlessly switch networks

http://ubuntu.wordpress.com/2005/12/14/network-manager-effortlessly-switch-networks/

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[JarlH]

Thanks for answering. There's currently no password to the network. (MAC authentication at the moment, trying to avoid one more password...)

I'll try to reconfigure modem and computer this weekend.

 

[Ninpo]

I'll second Guru. I have a couple Toshibas with Atheros cards. I've always had great luck with madwifi. Worst case you use ndiswrapper with the windows driver.