wicd network manager encryption problems

[rastro123]

I've got wicd manager installed and when ever I go to cafe's where they have free wifi access, they give me the wep or whatever code it is, but my pc only ever connects when there is no security enabled, like in Macdonalds in france. Once,- I got it connected to a friends wpa connection but at first it would not connect, then I went and sat right next to the box, dont really know what I did, but then it connected all of a sudden.
What does the order of sequence mean? I dont know what a pre-connection script is, or a post-connection script, or a disconnection script. I dont know if I should be using pre shared key or passphrase or I.p. static. or dns static. Its got me going crazy and also the poor bird working in the cafe. She hadn't a clue either. Please can anyone help with this and tell me what Im doing wrong? Many thanks.

[reed9]

It sounds like you may be choosing the wrong encryption type for the networks. Wicd doesn't automatically choose the correct encryption scheme. When you go into the advanced tab, there is a drop down menu to choose the encryption method. When it shows available networks, you can see whether it's WEP or WPA/WPA2.

In most cases you will probably be using a passphrase. I believe a pre-shared key is generally in hexadecimal, so it would just look like a combo of numbers and the letters a-f.

I've never had to use a pre or post-connection script, they should not be necessary for basic connection.

[rastro123]

Thanks reed 9. 2 places Ive tried at. The first one, I went through all of the different encrytion types one by one, but it didn't work. The second place I was short of time so I only tried a couple of times. But, yknow, Im wondering if it had anything to do with all the messing around I did when I was trying to get my wireless adapter to work. Incidently I sent for another one from usa rockwal I think its called that will be able to do the backtrack tricks ok. Thanks mate, What do you think? I go now, Im out of time here, But always apreaceate your advice.