constant wifi problems

[thinkpad1]

My wifi Intel 2200bg LAN card is having problems connecting. I have tried to connect at wifi hotspots and it seems this has led to these constant problems. Even where I usually use the notebook, in which I could almost connect without fail, now that is a problem. What happens at that location is that the Windows utility tried to connect, then it disconnects and the retries seconds later and the cycle just repeats forever.

The Thinkpad is a T41.

This problem coupled with some other issues makes me want to sell this but then I'd be without a notebook at all.

Anyway, I can say that I will NEVER NEVER buy another Thinkpad.

Anyone still want to help or advise? :-/

[thinkpad1]

Update: 'finally connected... Geez, talk about flaky.

[thinkpad1]

I might have fixed it. It's really weird, an odd issue I've only recently come across....

I used this link for guidance:
http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/for ... 6003980831

Anyone ever get this message when trying ipconfig in Windows' console terminal?:

Windows IP configuration

An internal error occurred: A device attached to the system is not functioning.

Please contact Microsoft Product Support Services for further help.

Additional information: Unknown media status code.

This recently showed up when trying to get online at spots other than where I normally use my T41. Say, for e.g., hotspots rather than at home. Anyway, Windows would show I'm connected but really I'm not. I checked the Microsoft site for that condition but of course their website was not helpful.

Anyway, I am not yet saying the problem is fixed. I'll have to test it out.

[sktn77a]

I take it you're not using (uninstalled) Access Connections? My experience has been that if Access Connections is working, I leave it on the computer. If I'm having connectivity problems that aren't simple to resolve, I uninstall Access Connections and my problems go away.

Don't be too hard on the Thinkpad. The problems with them are usually Windows or user error. What other problems are you having?

[craigmontHunter]

I had the same problem, with the same wireless card, and fixed it by installing AC. I have gotten the same response from the ipconfig command, but I found it happened more in xpsp3 than xpsp2. I don't install sp3 becasue it seems to really affect the reliablity of the system.

Jack

[thinkpad1]

I had the same problem, with the same wireless card, and fixed it by installing AC. I have gotten the same response from the ipconfig command, but I found it happened more in xpsp3 than xpsp2. I don't install sp3 becasue it seems to really affect the reliablity of the system.

Jack

Interesting. I installed SP3.

skin77a, well, other problems include a certain wifi hotspot in which I could not connect to even in Linux. Same problem, an attempt to connect would be made and it would fail. Same thing over and over. Switching to Windows and I would get what I originally posted.

I disabled the wired part in Device Manager and now my ipconfig works and I have IP configuration info in the Windows console. I shouldn't have to do that but I wonder if that might help when I retry in that wifi hotspot? I was able to connect in a cafe's wifi hotspot before, though, so it's only that one other location that was absolutely impossible to connect. I fixed it 'here' so one more experiment that I can try there now.

I wonder if it could be something to do with how those respective routers are configured or the ip configuration used? I have a Linksys router configured for WPA and it's fairly simple right now (encrypted WPA) and I have full access so if I want to change something, I can. The wifi hotspots, obviously, I cannot do anything - any changes must be on my machine.

Edit: I don't know what Access Connections is. I do have a 'yellow' question mark in Device Manager. Maybe that is the driver 'spot' for that? How do I test for AC?

[sktn77a]

In earlier versions of XP, there was a network bridging option for use of both wireless and wired NICs but this went away with SP2. Also, SP3 has been a bit buggy in some applications. Have you checked the wireless card and made sure both antennas are connected and that they are connected to the correct plugs (not reversed)? How recent is your windows install? Do you think you're ready for a fresh OS install?

AC is "Access Connections" IBMs wireless profile management software. It disables windows wireless management and takes over for you. If you enable windows wireless management while Access Connections is installed, the two programs will conflict and give connectivity problems. Is the yellow question mark under Network Devices?