Having built and worked on PCs for many years, in
the past I've always been able to solve my own problems by trolling through
forums like this one, at least until now.

Over the past couple years, I've successfully converted four household PCs one
by one over to Linux OS, usually dual booting between Windows, and the latest
version of Ubuntu. The last one to be switched over is my son's AMD Athlon
1000mhz PC, with 524mb RAM, running under MS Windows 2000, an OS frankly older
than he is.

When beginning this process, the machine still held its antiquated ASUS 802b PCI
card, which worked fine under MS Windows drivers, but which I was unable to get
functioning under Ubuntu. Then went on to try Linux MINT, OpenSUSE, PCLinuxOS,
and Puppy in turn, and all failed. Each one installed and dual booted under
GRUB, and using NDISwrapper was able to load Windows drivers, and usually get
them working… once. Then after the first reboot, in one way or another each
system would either crash, lockup, or simply fail to respond. This was followed
by then dropping in the GParted CD to wipe the OS, and start over again.
Ultimately, I had to admit defeat, realizing this ASUS card was the source of
the problem.

So I swapped the ASUS to a friend for a Linksys WiFi card, with a Broadcom BCM
4303 chipset, mainly because post in various forums suggested it might be more
compatible under Linux. Reinstalled Ubuntu once more, and attempted to use
NDISwrapper again, seemingly with mixed results. Digging deeper, found
suggestions pointing towards using b43-fwcutter, with b43legacy drivers, having
some success… at least the system didn't crash on reboot. Kept at this for many
hours, searching through forum posts, tweaking settings, and seem to finally
have a stable Ubuntu install. The Linksys/Broadcom WiFi card has been
configured, and is currently able to recognize the two old Wireless Access
Points I have in the house. HOWEVER, for some reason, it still is unable to
connect to the internet.

Oh, this WiFi card does repeatedly try to connect, switching back and forth
between access points, until finally giving up and quitting, without making a
connection. Have compared settings on this card when running under Windows 2000,
as well as other WiFi enabled PCs around the house, and still find no faults
within the Network Configuration. The card just scans for a very long time, then
finally gives up… Which is kind of where I am now myself. After several days of
trying to get this old PC networked with Ubuntu, I am about at wits end here,
and thus am turning to the "Wise Ones" among you for guidance.

Would welcome any assistance you UberGeeks might be willing to provide, as I am
comfortable staring into the terminal, and would run any line command test
suggested, then post the results back to the forum. Presently I can also
download any needed updates into this box via an Ethernet connection here in my
office, but it is impractical to run a cable all the way to the boy's room.
Frankly… I believe that I'm now very close to finally being able to return
possession of this old PC to my son, allowing me to take back the HP Pavilion
laptop for my own use. Ultimately, I am really looking forward to introducing
him to the joys of Ubuntu Linux, just as soon as I am able to provide him with a
functional and stable wireless internet connection on his own computer.

So… Anybody want to take on this Wireless Networking challenge? Anyone…? Thanks
in advance for any good ideas!