Access Connections Version 4.xx vs. Version 2.xx ??

[kstuart]

When my T40 arrived, it had Access Connections Version 2.xx, and I ended up using Windows XP Pro SP2 bult-in Wireless software instead.

Now, I have recently run the Software Installer, and it upgraded Access Connections to the latest 4.xx version.

Are there significant improvements in the latest version that should cause me to disable the built-in XP Wireless and try Access Connections again ?

[jdhurst]

Access Connections is for (1) Multiple connections in different locations (I have this issue) and (2) to disable any unused wireless signals and/or connections to prevent conflicts. If you only have one connection or only use wired connections you don't need it. I use Access Connections 4.12 with an IBM wireless card and the whole setup is flawless, reliable and has no dropouts.
... JD Hurst

[kstuart]

Well, I'm planning to use the laptop on trips (at hotels and coffee shops with wifi)...

[kstuart]

Another issue has come up for me.

I'd like to be able to turn the "Wireless Radio" on and off. Is there any way other than Fn+F5 to do that ?

If I don't have Access Connections running, and I don't want to downgrade to Intel version 8.xx then it seems from the threads that Fn+F5 won't work. What I haven't read is whether or not there is any other way to turn on/off the Wireless Radio.

If not, then that would seem to make it worthwhile to try turning on AC and turning off the Windows/Intel wireless software.

[yourself]

maybe creating a shortcut to the desktop of the wireless connection and right clicking and disabling it everytime you want to shut it off?

[kstuart]

I used the IBM/Lenovo procedure referenced in the Fn-F5 thread to uninstall and re-install the Intel 2200 driver, and then disabled Windows Zero Configuration service. Then I configured the wireless connection in AC.

Then AC worked - but not from the tray icon, but only after I connected using the AC program itself from the Start Menu... weird.

But now the wireless radio is off on bootup, and can be turned on and off using Fn-F5. This is hellpful, since I plan on doing some word processing on the battery, without accessing the internet during that time.

So, that Fn-F5 feature seems to be enougth to have made it worth the trouble to switch from Windows config to AC.

[Bgradid]

On this subject, has anyone else had access connections act kind of 'figity' with wifi connections? I find I have to pass that kind of stuff off to the windows configuration utility.

It often sits there on 'waiting for association with wifi' and then fails. It also doesn't seem to be able to handle any of my simple wifi passwords .

I love how it can be useful for managing different connection profiles, but, sometimes its wifi management can just suck for me

[pae77]

I'm no expert on AC or wi fi in general, but on my T42p I have been having an absolutely perfect experience with AC 4.12. Everything works flawlessly the way it is supposed to and it has been extremely stable. Couldn't be happier.

On the other hand, I installed AC 4.12 on a T21 that is using a PCMCIA wi fi card that is currently working with it's own proprietary driver and software (not using windows to manage wireless), and AC 4.12 doesn't seem to be able to work with it. Probably have to disable the proprietary software, but since it is working fine as is w/o AC, I am loath to mess with it.

[kstuart]

Try going to the Fn-F5 thread in this Forum, and read the linked IBM/Lenovo document in one of the posts.