Thinkpads Forum

I've had no problems with my T60 equipped with Intel 3945ABG wifi adapter until... I had to connect to the AP which does not broadcast its SSID. I cannot do that.

Network is 802.11b/g. WEP 128-bit encryption.
When I create manual profile - could not associate with AP.

I have tried:
- update adapter's driver (currently 11.1.11.1)
- update Access Connections (currently 4.42)
- use WZC instead of Access Conn.
- use Intel PROSet/Wireless tool instead of Access Conn.

Just could not find the network. If I turn the SSID broadcasting on, than everything works fine. After associating I can even turn the SSID broadcasting off - will work further. But if I turn off and then on the adapter or laptop - it will never find the network anymore.

What can I do? The only one solution is to buy an external wifi adapter from other manufacturer? (I cannot have SSID broadcasts - not my decision).

are you running Vista or XP? In Vista there's a setting that says "connect to the network even if it's not broadcasting" so that might be the reason.

SHoTTa35 wrote:are you running Vista or XP?

Sorry, forgot about such an important issue - XP SP2.

Have you tried connecting with other computers?

yes, other computers are working fine (e.g. hp laptop).

maybe somebody know any useful software that can show on the lower-level what is happening in there?

insonic wrote:I've had no problems with my T60 equipped with Intel 3945ABG wifi adapter until... I had to connect to the AP which does not broadcast its SSID. I cannot do that.

I actually do this without a problem at the office, once I figured out the initial association. X61, 4965AGN, Access Connections 4.42, Vista Business.

Using T60 with Intel 3945ABG and the AP configured to not broadcast the SSID; so it should work; but that of course doesn't help you out

But, when the SSID broadcast is disabled on the AP; are you able to locate the AP when using Access Connections utility?

If you have problem to find your AP - give a try then with Network Stumbler - it's a great utility to locate wifi nets.

Exactly - I can not even locate the AP. Thanks for the tool - I'll try it soon.

insonic wrote:Exactly - I can not even locate the AP. Thanks for the tool - I'll try it soon.

did you manually set the ssid in access manager? I connect with wpa and have no problem.

the only problem I see is the signal strength is not strong.

Network Stumbler - very nice tool, but when the AP does not bcast its SSID, Network Stumber cannot see anything.

moosport: I have tried both: manual profile and automatic one created when bcasts were turned on.

Even tried to completely uninstall Access Connections.

Next week I'll try with an external wifi adapter.

AP is Speedport W 700V from Deutsche Telekom (T-Online). Firmware 1.07.001, but I don't think anyone on this forum have a possibility to have such .

I am not an expert on this, but if you set up a connection in Access Connections with the same name as your Access Point, set up the proper security settings and enter in your WPA or WEP security key, won't that work?

GomJabbar: no, doesn't work.

Ok, I tried with DLink DWL-650+ and... it works!

After deeper investigation I realised that it is not related to hiding/showing AP's SSID.

The most probable explanation is that when somebody else connects to this AP and uses speed of 22Mbps, my Intel cannot see this AP anymore (but DLink card is able to).

I don't know if this is a problem of AP or of Intel adapter, but maybe at least this reply will save somebody's else time in the future .

Thanks for your support!