Access Connections Issues w/ T41

[agentdss]

Hi,

I have a new T41 w/ the Atheros A/B/G built in. I've updated to the latest drivers from IBM. When Windows XP loads, both the Access Connections program and the actual A/B/G card program appear in the startup tray. Both programs can search for Access Points and have the option to connect to them. The A/B/G program looks like an older "Access Connections" interface and has Access Connections written on it.

When ever I scan in that A/B/G program and try to connect to an Access Point, it says its "trying to connect", and all of a sudden the newer Access Connections program pops up with its own "connecting" window simultaniously. The newer program always "fails" on connecting w/ a profile, and usually the A/B/G program has issues connecting too.

Occasionally the Wireless Status (from Windows XP) will pop up a message saying "Connected to XXXX" with a Signal Indicator and I then have internet access! This is usually done automatically on its own while being in the area of a Access Point or a few minutes after I try connecting manually as above. What the hell is going on?

I'm using all the up to date software from IBM. Is that Connections program required to use the internal card? I'd rather use Windows XP to handle the wireless than this annoying program.

[DMS]

Hi,

I just got a T42p (mine has the B/G card) and am also not sure what I think about Access Connections yet. You can get XP to take over by opening that Network Connection -> Properties -> Wireless Networks and checking the Use Windows to configure.... checkbox. I have it unchecked for now while I experiment with Access Connections. You should make sure XP is up to date since there have been wireless updates (for instance, adding WPA).

So far I have also seen strange behavior where either Windows or Access Connections pop up at different times, and my connection (I have a Belkin G access point) sometimes is flaky - occasionally the speed will drop down to 1 or 2 Mbps and the internet will disappear, which I can fix by disconnecting and reconnecting. Also sometimes it won't reconnect when it wakes up and I have to tell it.

What are other people's experiences with Access Connections vs. letting XP handle everything?

[darrenf]

DMS, sounds like you have windows zero-effort wireless networking enabled. You need to disable this if you use Access Connection to manage your connections. From the desktop, right-click on My Network Places and choose Properties. Next, right-click on Wireless Network Connection and choose View Available Wireless Networks. Click the Advanced button and uncheck the box that reads "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings." Click OK to exit and close the remaining window.

I hope that helps!

-darren

[agentdss]

You should make sure XP is up to date since there have been wireless updates (for instance, adding WPA).

Wasn't that Windows update recommended to be removed at IBM's request? I remember reading that when getting the new 3.21 version of Access Connections.

Also I think Darren just repeated what DMS said in terms of how to select whether or not Windows does the Wifi Config.

[darrenf]

DMS, I must have really skimmed your article before replying. Looking back it appears that I skipped your first paragraph. Sorry to restate what you said. I'll be quiet now...

-darren

[DMS]

No problem, darren, I read posts that way too. What I'm wondering is if people have tried disabling Access Connections and letting XP handle everything and vice versa - does one seem to work more smoothly than the other?

Agentdss, someone mentioned this "Windows XP Hotfix (SP2) Q815485" causing problems, is that the one you mean? (I don't have that one installed.) Or is it just the one that actually adds WPA?

[jsteele]

I use Access Connections (ver 3.00b) and love it. KI have mind configured to connect across a 802.11a and 802.11b at home, a 802.11a and 802.11b at work, a wired ethernet at work, T-Nobile hotspots travelling, dialup connections when WiFi is not available.

[darrenf]

DMS,

I tried to turn off access connections by disabling QCTRAY.EXE but was not successful. I had previously disabled the standard Fn-F5 capability so that now Fn-F5 instantly turns bluetooth on/off. That means I need an easy way to turn the wireless on/off. For that I kept QWCLICON.EXE, the program that shows you signal strength in system tray. When I click on QWLCICON, I get the option to turn wireless on/off.

Unfortunately, with QWCLICON.EXE running, whenever I would change the Windows setting to let Windows manage the wireless connection, the check-mark wouldn't stick. It was gone every time I checked. I am reasonably confident that QWCLICON.EXE was doing this. In addition, if you try to "Find WLAN" from inside QWCLICON, it seems to fire up Access Connections because the little box comes up showing each step (ie "turning on wireless card," "getting IP configuration," etc.)

I would guess that removing Access Connections using Software Installer would take care of it. Has anyone tried that?

-darren