post:

 

# uname -rm

 

This is a known issue in pre 2.6.24.4-64 kernel versions and isn't updated until that kernel iteration

This is a confirmed bug, and it is the result of switching to a new driver (iwl3945).  Please have a look here for a solution to the problem: https://bugs.launchpad.net/linux/+bug/176090

It isn't just an Ubuntu problem though - I have to look at this Ubuntu ;-) does it not advertise the kernel as much as other distros?? I never hear an Ubuntu user say, running 2.6.9.42-19.ELsmp or 2.6.24, they always start with, Running Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy) anyway, I digress...

 

the iwl3945 driver was introduce around the 2.6.20 kernel timeframe, as most folks utilized the ipw3945 from Intel or sourceforge.  The problem is resolved in the 2.6.24 kernel and upstream ... with obnoxious results of over utilization of the indicator light

 

my xps-m1710gen3 will blink during activity (e.g. loading web page, etc) and since I have packet filtering and use my laptop as a mail server for a local network, it pretty much blinks non-stop ... it's fairly simple to get that behaviour to stop but requires a kbuild.