Wireless disconnects since updating Access Connections

[michaelj]

Since updating to Access Connections 4.11a this week, I have suddenly found myself disconnected from my home wireless network several times a day (I use WPA-PSK). I can go into AC, select my profile, click "Connect" and it connects again without problem.

This never happened in the earlier version 3.81

Just wondered if anyone else was experiencing this.

Just before posting this I called Lenovo.
They say there are a number of "quirks" in the new version and advise users to go back to the older version. If you do this, you will lose your profiles, although there is a fix in the Readme.

[firestarter]

Im also experiencing a lot of Wireless drops since i downloaded the new update.

[michaelj]

I just uninstalled the latest version and went back to v3.81 (without the wireless drivers)

I also copied a file called PrevACprof.reg from Program Files/ThinkPad/Connect Utilities onto my desktop.

Once I reinstalled AC v3.81. I double clicked on the file and it wrote my AC profiles to the registry. You need to do this if you want your profiles back - they dont appear once you go back to the earlier version unless you do this.

Hopefully my "disconnection" problem will now go away

[SeanM]

3 Big things come to mind.

1 - Make sure your wireless driver is the latest also. I suggest running the software installer.

2 - Make sure you have changed the name of your wireless access point from the default. If your network name is "Netgear" or "Linksys", you fall into this category.

3 - Update the firmware on your wireless router / access point. (If anyone out there neglects this step because "It couldn't be that. . " then shaddup and suffer. I'm serious here.)

[michaelj]

Did all those things as a matter of course.
It's a driver problem, I'm certain.
Not had the signal drop far since rolling back to the older version.

[icantux]

You guys aren't the only ones with the problem.
Take a look at this thread: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=19954

There are more threads like that scattered throughout the forum

[firestarter]

well i have solved my connection problem by turning off the Access Connection in the "Services" tab by going into "MSCONFIG". No more wifi drop outs!! It was just driving me nuts with the constant connection problems before.

[beaker]

If you are not using the XP Firewall, you need to allow Access Connections through your software firewall. On page 68 of the Access Connections Users Guide, it says the program to allow access for is: C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\ConnectUtilities\ACMainGUI.exe

Now that Access Connections is talking with your access point, you need to open Access Connections and select the following Configure menu items:

Location Switching > Check Enable Location Switching
Global Settings > Uncheck Enable automatic wireless LAN radio control

The last menu item is what will shut off your radio if your wireless signal is dropped. If your radio is shutoff, Access Connections cannot reconnect with your Access Point(s). I was told this the last time I called IBM support.

HTH