Thinkpads Forum

Running Windows XP SP3 on an old R51 (1836-H7U) with the internal Intel 2200BG WiFi adapter.

I've been using Access Connections successfully for a long time (although I stuck at 4.52, it being good enough).

I'd like to additionally be able to use a Proxim/Orinoco "gold" PC card WiFi adapter ( (8470) because it has a connector for an external antenna.

I can install the Orinoco drivers only and let Windows manage the connection and get on the air successfully, and can even have both adapters active (although that's not particularly useful).

Access Connections sees the Orinoco card, but won't manage it, telling me that I have to use Windows WiFi management.

But, when I installed the Orinoco client application, not only wouldn't the Orinoco card work any more, neither would the 2200BG, with Access Connections always reporting that the WPA authentication failed (this with the Orinoco client simply installed, not actually running).

I haven't found a way access to some of the configuration settings of the card or to display some of the card's current status using Windows WiFi management.

Has anybody successfully run with both Access Connections and the Orinoco client installed?

Any hints on making this work?

I am using Orinoco cards for many years. Excellent cards.

In my office there are four "Silver" USB cards for sharing adsl net connection. I lost the documentation, but I remember I read there there are problems if you install Orinoco in XP. The card manager and some Xp program are not compatible. But surprisingly I have no problem with these silver cards, including their managers.

At home I use a classic "Gold" Orinoco PC card in my T60, i.e. with a 3945abg wifi card. I have similar problems as you have. I am not able to run the card manager because the windows card configuration program launches automatically. And Access Connection says I have to use Windows to configure the Orinoco card.
So I solved it all without Access Connection. I have both card in TP, both configured as needed (in Windows). And I switch manually.
Connect the first card. Disconnect the same card. Connect the second card. And so on.
Very quick. No problemo.

I bought my wife a wifi dongle for a UK network (O2) so she could access the internet while moving her parents. The dongle installed itself when plugged in and took over from Access Connections. OK, the thingy allowed her to get internet when out and about but it broke any attempt to connect normally with a capital F.

In order to restore wireless connectivity when at home or in the office we had to uninstall the O2 software.

Later, during her parents' move, they were without internet access and wanted to get emails. We tried the O2 dongle on mother-in-law's R50e and it completely b*ggered the wireless connections ... so much so that I had to do a system restore.

Don't you wish these companies would make their software compatible with major suppliers?

If Lenovo is in the category "these companies" I agree .... )
Access Connection is horrible.
I resigned using it long time ago.