IBM Access Connections - superior functionality to XPs WiFi

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goran5 · #1 Post by **goran5** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 4:50 am

A tip for you who may have problem with connecting at hot spots, internet cafes etc.

I frequently encountered problems when using the built in wireless connection function in XP. Tryied various things from installing patches, release the ip address etc. etc. and in most cases nothing helped.

Then I started to use IBM Access Connection. Not only does it have a lot more neat options, it works like a clock. Haven't had one case of connectivity problem after this.

T43p/2GB/60GB7200rpm/15". The best Laptop I've ever used (6 months now).

cerebral_mamba · #2 Post by **cerebral_mamba** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 7:09 am

Great to know that. Windows zero configuration is one the most inferior one amoungst most other tools, while Access Connections is considered the Gold Standard by many and arguably the best connection manager tool out there. Its got a lot more potential like automatically connect to VPN, set firewall, default printer, home page etc.. something I used to use everyday.

But recently AC got screwed up and I am still figuring out hhow to fix it.. Its a big loss once you get used to using it.

davidspalding · #3 Post by **davidspalding** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 12:19 pm

Cisco's Aironet Client Utility (ACU) is another great connection, profile loading, and site survey tool. Has even more features than Access Connections (AC).

Interestingly, I installed an old Cisco Aironet 350 802.11b pc card in my work T41, and installed their ACU. Instead of competing with AC, it automagically configured to work with AC, and let AC manage the connections. I had presumed that the FN + F5 utility wouldn't work with a pc card wifi device, but both it and AC work like a dream.

Windows connection software? Bah. Only for the unenlightened dilettantes.

dr_st · #4 Post by **dr_st** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:23 am

I mostly still use the Windows software. I like it because it's standard and simple, and hasn't given me problems. I know that Access Connection offers a lot more flexibility, but since Wireless Zero works on the fly for me most of the time, I don't feel the need to switch.

tokjdm · #5 Post by **tokjdm** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 5:04 pm

Has anyone tried the native software provided by Intel (I have an Intel/Pro 2915 ABG) ? I am used to Access Connections and liked it a lot but had to uninstall it due to problems with the wireless device. Windows wireless management is clumsy.

cerebral_mamba · #6 Post by **cerebral_mamba** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:16 pm

tokjdm wrote:Has anyone tried the native software provided by Intel (I have an Intel/Pro 2915 ABG) ? I am used to Access Connections and liked it a lot but had to uninstall it due to problems with the wireless device. Windows wireless management is clumsy.

Intel latest ver.10.xxx utility is good. It gives easy wireless on/off ability, connects in a jiffy (less than a sec. st times and never more than 2 sec), has profiles and is very straight forward and simple.

Personally, I hate windows zero configuration, it makes things extra-complicated and refuses to work well with other applications at times. AC manages to make windows zero config. work seamlessly. The way i found out is it gives an option to use windows zero config. to configure the security etc. when making a new profile...

davedave · #7 Post by **davedave** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 5:14 pm

I have a T40 and I never had AC on it but when I upgraded the IBM software it came with AC but it doesnt open the program when I click on it. Am I not able to use AC on my computer because it is older or is there another issue?

jongordo8 · #8 Post by **jongordo8** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 5:48 pm

AC works with most Thinkpads...definitely the T40. I use it on mine.

#9 Post by **GomJabbar** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:21 pm

davedave wrote:I have a T40 and I never had AC on it but when I upgraded the IBM software it came with AC but it doesnt open the program when I click on it. Am I not able to use AC on my computer because it is older or is there another issue?

You have to have a compatible wireless driver (including the version) to use Access Connections. If you want to make it work, uninstall Access Connections, reboot then uninstall the wireless driver. Download the appropriate wireless driver and Access Connections, then install the wireless driver. Reboot, then install Access Connections.

If you download from the following site, you have to double-click the downloaded file to extract the files. When you extract the files, pay close attention to where they are extracted so that you can launch (double-click) Setup.exe in the correct directory to install the software.

ThinkVantage Access Connections for Windows 2000 and XP - ThinkPad General

thinkpadfreak · #10 Post by **thinkpadfreak** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:24 pm

AC definately works with T40...I've had no problems using AC on my T40. As a matter of fact, Im using my T40 right now replying to this post...using wireless...connected by AC

sb0h · #11 Post by **sb0h** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 3:12 am

IBM AC is awesome. Was trying to help a guy at an exhibition today with his wifi connection problems using XP zero configuration on a Dell and it was a nightmare. In the end I showed him how easy it was to set up a connection on my T42 and suggested he replace his Dell with a Thinkpad.

Roy_W · #12 Post by **Roy_W** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 5:20 am

For my personnel interest only :

I have many different clients and work in varying environments with all kinds of equipement and never have problems connecting to Wifi networks.

I work mainly with Dells, Toshibas, Sonys and TP's, all with differing Wifi cards and differing software managers.

What is so unusual/difficult about the Wifi networks that some of you trying to connect to. What exactly is AC or Intel Manager capable of doing, outside of the profiles obviously, that improve connectivity to Wifi networks.

I used AC for about 6 months and have also tried the Intel manager but I keep returning to the XP Solution as it just seems to work.

JHaislet · #13 Post by **JHaislet** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:27 am

+1 for Intel's PROSet/Wireless Suite.
I'm using v10.1.0.3 and the latest drivers (9.0.3.9) with an Intel 2915ABG card and it works great, especially with WPA2

chonine · #14 Post by **chonine** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:35 pm

I just bought a Z60m, with the intel 2200 bg only chip. Or is it the 2915, I forget. But anyways, the ibm access management software was the first thing I removed! The profiles seem interesting, but it was always locking up, and didnt want to easily connect to my WPA/TKIP network. With windows, it connects instantly on startup, and doesnt lock up, is faster. It just seems cleaner.

Now dont get me wrong, if the Lenovo solution worked, I would probably choose it, but it just seemed buggy and laggy. I will go back with the next version I suppose. In the meantime I may check out Intel's.

IBM Access Connections - superior functionality to XPs WiFi

IBM Access Connections - superior functionality to XPs WiFi

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