I know you are asking about wicd which I don't use, however, it is typically not difficult to establish a WEP connection.
Step 1: Become root
$ sudo su
Step 2: Check to see if your wireless is detected
# iwconfig
Hopefully you will see a wlan0, ath0, eth? If, so, then using that detected device...
Step3: Configure your wireless device with name and key
# iwconfig wlan0 essid "your_wireless_ssid_name" key 0123456789
Step 4: Request an IP
# udhcpc - wlan0
If the above works, then add the commands from Steps 3 & 4 to /opt/bootlocal.sh
This has worked on eeepc 701, eeepc 900a, and eeepc S101. And no, I don't own all of these, but have helped friends who do.