Then that can be ruled out as the problem.

There are some other commands that can be used, They are part of the "Wireless Tools" package. Among them is the iwlist command. It has many options:
Code:
laptop:/home/paul # /usr/sbin/iwlist
Usage: iwlist [interface] scanning [essid NNN] [last]
              [interface] frequency
              [interface] channel
              [interface] bitrate
              [interface] rate
              [interface] encryption
              [interface] keys
              [interface] power
              [interface] txpower
              [interface] retry
              [interface] ap
              [interface] accesspoints
              [interface] peers
              [interface] event
              [interface] auth
              [interface] wpakeys
              [interface] genie
              [interface] modulation
To scan I would enter this:
Code:
# /usr/sbin/iwlist eth1 scanning
My wireless being eth1.

I use the NetworkManager to handle my connections, with the KNetworkManager gui to interface with it. It will show any wireless network connections in the area.