Thinkpads Forum

Which one do you guys prefer. I tried the IBM Access Connections program and the transfer speed keeps fluctuating from 54 to 48 to 36 to 24 whereas the Windows XP connection keeps me at 54mbs. Do any of you out there have the same problem? And is there an advantage to using the Access Connections software?

Thanks.

I have almost always use the XP connection manager, I just like it better.

I've experienced slower internet speeds when using AC. The distance between the laptop and the router was the same in both cases. Does the new Intel Wireless driver solve this problem?

Thanks.

I also use XP as I found the connection is found and re-established way faster. Of course that may just be a personal thing but I've tried it on several models and found that true in my home.

Yak

nichihan wrote:I've experienced slower internet speeds when using AC. The distance between the laptop and the router was the same in both cases. Does the new Intel Wireless driver solve this problem?

Thanks.

I haven't tried the newest driver, but there is a thread about it here. It seems that the new driver has only caused more problems for people .

The Access Connection is too "automatic" for me, I uninstalled it after some days's trail

I also use the xp connection manager. It's simple and powerful. I also dislike to have another application running all the time to do just the same thing.

People should use whatever fits them, of course. But with respect to Access Connections:
1. The newest version keeps constant speed for me - no fluctuations.
2. For multiple network setups (25 in there right now), Access Connections automation is much better for me than the Windows manager.
3. It takes some time to start, but once started, it offers *zero* performance penalty.
... JD Hurst

jdhurst wrote:People should use whatever fits them, of course. But with respect to Access Connections:
1. The newest version keeps constant speed for me - no fluctuations.
2. For multiple network setups (25 in there right now), Access Connections automation is much better for me than the Windows manager.
3. It takes some time to start, but once started, it offers *zero* performance penalty.
... JD Hurst

I agree. Think it's one of the best software provided by IBM.

I used to love Access Connections but with the 1.31 driver for the 2200BG it no longer is workie. I'm going to try and fix it this weekend but for now I have rolled back to 1.21 which is also now broken with access connections (but works with windows manager).

Also, AC lets you customize more things (proxies, default printer, run application on connection, etc) than the XP built-in software. Not everyone needs that, but if you do it can be a lifesaver. For example, I use my Thinkpad at home and on campus at my university. At home I use the university's proxy server to access certain restricted websites, on campus I don't but I need to run a program provided by the school to access certain network resources. AC can do all of that automatically (and switch default printers!). XP can't.

For regular, non-passworded networks, I think XP's software is easier and less hassle. However, with my school's network, which I have to log on with my own name and password, XP's program is terrible and never works, but access connections works perfectly and quickly every time. So, for the time being, I'm using access connections, and I'm very glad I have it.

i still have a problem coming out of hibernate where my connections are done and out. i had the latest AC, but finally just uninstalled it today.

so, if i never hibernated, i'd probably keep AC

The XP stuff works great for me so I don't use Access Connection.