Access Connections + 802.11abg = Slow Login (>1 minute)

[noetus]

Well, I have looked through other posts on what seems like a similar topic... but I do not have the Intel wireless, it's the Atheros one, with driver 4.1.102.147 for Thinkpad 802.11abg Wireless, and Access Connections 4.12. When I log into Windows, the system appears to "stop" for about a minute or so with the "Applying your Settings" message and no desktop, and then the desktop appears and the system continues with the log-in/boot up process (making the whole boot process rather slow).

I noticed that when I unistalled Access Connections the problem goes away.

I notice that the problem does NOT go away when I unplug the ethernet cable (which is attached to a DSL modem) while booting, or even when I boot Windows in safe mode, with or without networking. The problem persists in those circumstances. It also makes no difference whether I have the wireless radio turned on or off, or whether Automatic Profile Switching is switched on or off in Access Connections.

Any ideas?

[Wiz]

Do you have the Allow wireless connection at windows logon checked? And do you logon to a AD/NT domain?

[noetus]

Do you have the Allow wireless connection at windows logon checked? And do you logon to a AD/NT domain?

No, I don't have that option checked. (Should I? I seem to remember it caused some other problem a while back when I had it checked.) And no, I just log on to my Windows desktop, nothing more.

[GomJabbar]

I've seen this before, but I am not certain of the solution. I believe it is a conflict between Windows Wireless Networking and Access Connections. Try the following.

1. Open Network Connections.
2. Right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties.
3. On the Wireless Networks tab, clear the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings check box.

I use the following settings in Access Connections. In Access Connections > Global Settings > check box to Enable automatic wireless radio LAN control, and uncheck box Allow wireless connection at Windows logon (requires a system restart). In Access Connections > Location Switching > uncheck box to Enable automatic location switching.

In Services I have the following set. Go to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services, scroll down to Wireless Zero Configuration service. Stop service and set to Disabled.

[Wiz]

No, I don't have that option checked. (Should I? I seem to remember it caused some other problem a while back when I had it checked.) And no, I just log on to my Windows desktop, nothing more.

No i was thinking that could be the cause of the problem, but since you neither logon to a domain and don't have that option checked i guess that has nothing to do with the problem.

[noetus]

1. Open Network Connections.
2. Right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties.
3. On the Wireless Networks tab, clear the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings check box.

I use the following settings in Access Connections. In Access Connections > Global Settings > check box to Enable automatic wireless radio LAN control, and uncheck box Allow wireless connection at Windows logon (requires a system restart). In Access Connections > Location Switching > uncheck box to Enable automatic location switching.

In Services I have the following set. Go to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services, scroll down to Wireless Zero Configuration service. Stop service and set to Disabled.

Well, I did check the Wireless Connection Properties, but there was no tab labelled "Wireless Networks". Is there another way of getting to that?

The other options you mentioned were already set in my machine, with the exception of the WZC service. That was not disabled, only set on 'Manual'. I disabled it, to no effect. I'm still getting the delay, greater than one minute, after logging on to Windows but before desktop appears (with no disk activity).

I said that this happens EVEN with no networking, AND in WINDOWS SAFE MODE, and even with No Networking in Safe Mode. That must be significant. Clearly Access Connections in conflicting with something, but it can't be the IP address assigning, because there is no IP address assigning in these modes. What gives?

Oh, I also get a little yellow triangle appearing on the Windows Tray (bottom right hand side in default Windows configuration) after I've logged in, with a black exclamation mark inside. I've no idea what this means or why it's there. If I click on it (right or left click) it simply disappears, with no message. Hunting around in the Windows Event Viewer yields no clues, either. Could this be related?

[Domain]

I have seen that triangle thing happen to me, relating to duplicated IPs or computer names on the network.

Usually, it comes up in the bubble, but disappears if you click on it. If you hover over it it usually reveals "system error" or something to that effect.

[GomJabbar]

Well, I did check the Wireless Connection Properties, but there was no tab labelled "Wireless Networks". Is there another way of getting to that?

The other options you mentioned were already set in my machine, with the exception of the WZC service. That was not disabled, only set on 'Manual'. I disabled it, to no effect. I'm still getting the delay, greater than one minute, after logging on to Windows but before desktop appears (with no disk activity).

I just checked, and the Wireless Networks tab only appears when Wireless Zero Configuration service is Started.

I suggest you uninstall Access Connections and uninstall your ThinkPad 802.11 abg Wireless driver and software package. Reboot and cancel any Found Hardware Wizard. Now install your ThinkPad 802.11 abg Wireless driver and software package, reboot, then install Access Connections. Reboot again, and you should be good to go.

BTW, if you right-click on your Wireless Adapter in Network Connections, there is an option to rename it. You can remove the Wireless Adapter 10 name and replace it with something more appropriate. I am not sure, but you may have to edit your wireless profile in Access Connections, to point to the new name, after you rename your wireless adapter.