Help with Linux?

So this girl I know wants me to help her with linux, even though I told her I have never used it before.  She installed ubuntu 8.1 on it, but the wireless doesn't work now.

I spent 6 hours yesterday and 4 hours today, and I still can't get it to work.  What do I need to do?

The wireless PCI is an Atheros AR242x chipset 168c:001c.