How do I get Ubuntu to work with my wireless router?

You'll Need: Computer running Ubuntu Linux Ethernet card and cable, or wireless network card For a Wired Connection Step 1 Connect the computer to the router using an Ethernet cable. Step 2 Turn on the firewall router. Step 3 Turn on the computer running Ubuntu Linux. Step 4 Log in to the computer using your username and password. Step 5 Allow the computer to fully load. Step 6 Watch the Network Manager icon on the right side of the top taskbar. It will be located near the date. Two green dots will appear with a blue spiral traveling around them. When these two dots change into a computer icon, you are connected to the Internet. or Wireless Connection Step 1 Turn on the firewall router and allow to boot. Step 2 Turn on the computer. Step 3 Log in to the computer. Step 4 Allow Ubuntu to fully load. Step 5 Watch the Network Manager icon on the right side of the top taskbar. A message will appear informing you that there are wireless networks in range of your computer. Step 6 Click once with the left mouse button on the Network Manager icon. All available wireless networks will appear in list form. Step 7 Click on the wireless network of choice, input the password or leave blank if you do not have a password on your network. Ubuntu will then connect to the wireless network you have chosen.

There's no magic to making Ubuntu work with any network. If the system can detect and activate your wireless network card (in the laptop), they you should be good to go. Your router has nothing to do with it. If the router is feeding a wireless signal, then the laptop (with Ubuntu running) should be able to connect to the signal. When you start Ubuntu, you should see the network manager running on the toolbar. Try clicking it and connecting to the network. The only other thing I can imagine is that you have some kind of exotic wireless hardware that Ubuntu can't detect. You mentioned a Cradlepoint router and a Sprint card. I'm guessing that Ubuntu doesn't detect them properly.