Thinkpads Forum

I just bought a ThinkPad R61e. I love it.

The problem is that at first I could connect to the internet via my wireless router with no problem.

Then, there was a brief period when I couldn't and it would hang on the "Waiting for IP configuration" before failing. This is via Access Connections.

The wireless radio is on.

I kept being unable to connect via the wireless. Which apparently suddenly fixed itself.

Then, it downloaded something either overnight or while I was at work (I was away from the computer for like 16 hours), rebooted, and now I can't connect there at all.

It is not a router problem because my roommate (on a different machine, but also connecting wirelessly) can connect with no problem.

Can someone please help? (I'm currently writing this from work and have other backup computers, but I want to use my new toy!)

Hi cshuy, welcome to the forum,

the first things I would do are; go to device manager and in the properties of the wlan card set the energy management to best network performance, then do the same in wireless advanced setting in access connections. A re-start isn't 100% necessary, but can't hurt, in the mean-time, if your roommate will allow, (i.e. not in the middle of a big download), kill the power to the router for 10 seconds.

Did that.

Didn't work.

I got an Error Code 026 (Authentication Failed)

When I open up cmd and type ipconfig, I get nothing, whereas on the computer I am currently on to browse the net with, I get other information.

It sees all of the other local wireless networks including the one I have in my house...

I'm still stumped.

C.

cshuy wrote:snip....Then, it downloaded something either overnight or while I was at work (I was away from the computer for like 16 hours), rebooted, and now I can't connect there at all....snip

What did you download? If it was an update for wireless drivers then you should know that whenever you update your wireless drivers, you must uninstall Access Connections first and reboot. Then uninstall the old drivers, reboot and then install the newer ones then reboot once again. After rebooting, reinstall Access Connections.

Additional instructions can be found in the following thread:

Access connections broken. (look for antera309's quoted post)

also, try to delete your wifi profile again and then create it again. It says authentication failed so i'm guessing your roomie didn't change the WPA password on you? If not then maybe it just got currupted. Go into the wireless options and delete the profile and scan for it again as if it was the first time you are connecting.

Put in your password again and go from there.

ipconfig returns absolutely -nothing- ??

I don't think I've ever seen that before.

At the very least, it should've told you something about the -wired- ethernet port...and said it was disconnected from the network.

-something-

Almost sounds like windows lost track of the basic networking drivers...

ipconfig returns "Windows IP Configuration" and nothing else.