Access Connect Problems...

[choiboi83]

Hi,

I just did a clean install of XP and have updated all of my drivers. However, when I installed Access Connections and ran it, I noticed that the "Find" button was missing. I can connect to wireless networks through Windows, but not Thinkvantage! v3.82 will work for me and allow me to connect, but if I upgrade back to the newst version, the "Find" button will go missing again. All the profiles will be there but I won't be able to connect. Please help...

I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling the Intel drivers like previous posts have recommended but no hope....

Thanks in advance!

[williamf]

I've run accross exactly the same problem...hoping someone has news and can help us both out

I'm seriously conidering a system restore and just living w/the previous access connections version

[raceannouncer]

I had to wrestle with this one myself with IBM tech support. After a complete re-install of Windows XP Pro on my T60 (and the same situation happened when I did a clean install of Win XP home on my friends T42), in order to get Acess Connections to work properly, I had to also re-install the Power managment software and the "hotkeys" software BEFORE installing Access Connections. The problem is these software packages MUST be installed in the correct order.

First, the drivers for the wireless and wired LAN must be installed; then, Power management, then hotkeys, then Access Connections. If it's done any other way, Access Connections won't work. Trust me, I know, because I didn't think it would make a difference what order the software was installed. I was wrong and when I installed in the order suggested, everything worked as it should.

Hopefully, this will work for you as well...

Mike Paz
(formerly unhappy T60 owner)

[williamf]

Thanks....tried it (restore points at every step)...came up w/same problem at last step which was the actual access connections sw itself...

So....system restore to go back to prev configuration....do ahve updated drivers, hot keys and power management.... can live happily w/that

Thks for the suggetsions though

[raceannouncer]

Thanks....tried it (restore points at every step)...came up w/same problem at last step which was the actual access connections sw itself...

So....system restore to go back to prev configuration....do ahve updated drivers, hot keys and power management.... can live happily w/that

Thks for the suggetsions though

williamf:

Not sure what you mean by "restore points"--those never came into play with the solution that worked for me.

Also, what wireless card are you using?

I was told by tech support that only 2 cards are supported by the t60: The intel 3945abg and the atheros(sometimes called "IBM Wireless abg"). Whichever one you have, there CANNOT be software installed for the other. In my case, I had the exact same problem you had because the machine originally came with an intel 3945abg card and that card was replaced by an Atheros. HOWEVER, not only the drivers for the intel card had to be removed but I had to go back into Add/Remove programs and remove ALL software pertaining to intel wireless. There was a piece of software called "intel pro wireless" that also had to be removed; it was NOT removed by merely uninstalling the software drivers for the card itself. The problem was that the intel software "locked down" the power management switch and also rendered Access Connections un-usable.

I went through EXACTLY what you're describing. There has to be a piece of wireless control software and/or drivers still installed on your machine that no longer belongs there that is preventing power management and access connections software from operating properly. Merely "having" or installing the updated drivers doesn't do the trick. All wireless software has to be removed completely. You must also remove completely the ThinkPad Power Management software, completely remove the Hot Keys software and completely remove Access connections. After rebooting, the CORRECT wireless drivers for your exact card must be installed. Then, a reboot, then install the latest power management, reboot, then the latest hotkeys, reboot and finally Access Connections 4.23 (the latest). Again, "restore points" never come into play...

Don't give up (heck, I almost did as well!) The solution is there--it just needs to be found.

Mike Paz

[williamf]

Thks Mike....

I actually did a system restore..thats what I meant by "restore points" to go back to the previous version of access connections

Will have a go at your suggestions and give it a go... wishful thinking in assuming a regular download and sw upgrade install would actually go as planned