Problems with Wireless LAN

[TPBV]

I have recently started using a Thinkpad T60p notebook, and I am
encountering the problem that it cannot connect to the internet
via a wireless LAN. I am using Access Connections (but the
problem remains the same even if I connect without it) with the
following settings:


Wireless security type: Use Windows to Configure Wireless Network
Properties:
Authentication Properties:
<network name> --> Properties
Network Authentication: WPA-PSK
Data encryption: TKIP

It seems that the WLAN itself works; however the "Test connection"
within Access Connections returns the error code 017 ("Internet is not responding;
verify the configuration of your firewall program"). However the problem and
the diagnostic persist even if I switch off both the Symantec firewall and the
Windows firewall.

I have an older Thinkpad (A31p) which has no problem connecting to the same WLAN.
I compared the WLAN settings; but they don't reveal anything.

Could anyone suggest what I should do to get to the bottom of this?

Needless to say, I have updated all my software (via a wired LAN
on another network), and I have also tried uninstalling and reinstalling the
WLAN software.

A possibility is that the problem arises from the migration of some
settings (via System Migration Assistant) from a T40 notebook that
I subsequently found has the same problem. But which settings?

Regards, TPBV

[Kyocera]

When you are using windows to connect are do you have wireless zero service turned on?

Can you successfully ping your router from your t60? Makes sure your wireless lan properties are set for "obtain ip address automatically" if your router is set for dhcp.

Do an ipconfig /all and check all the information against a known good machine that connects to your network, to include your IP address, gateway address, dns server address, etc.. Norton firewalls can be problematic, dig into the event log (of norton) and see if there are any events related to blocking any ports.

[TPBV]

Thanks for the answer. I will try to respond point by point.

When you are using windows to connect are do you have wireless zero service
turned on?

I am not sure I know what "wireless zero service" is. How do you
check whether it is turned on?

Can you successfully ping your router from your t60? Makes sure your
wireless lan properties are set for "obtain ip address automatically"
if your router is set for dhcp.
"obtain ip address automatically" is ON; but I CANNOT ping my router.
What is even more mysterious is that I cannot ping the router even
by cable. To me this indicates some sort of software blocking; however,
the situation is unchanged even if I turn off all firewalls.

Do an ipconfig /all and check all the information against a known good
machine that connects to your network, to include your IP address, gateway
address, dns server address, etc..
I compared the ipconfig /all result with the "good" Thinkpad, and
the only (and obviously crucial) difference is that the Default Gateway
item is empty. I tried inserting it by hand into the settings, but
it did not help.

Norton firewalls can be problematic,
dig into the event log (of norton) and see if there are any events related
to blocking any ports.
I looked at the firewall log, and there some reports of blocking
but in view of the fact that the situation is the same regardless
of whether the firewall is turned on or off, I did not delve too
deeply into this.

[Kyocera]

Admin tools, services, near the bottom of that long list.

I have seen zone alarm (not the free version) block pings on networks from worksktations. Do you know the ip address of your router? Configure your wired nic manually to the same subnet as your router, use an IP address where the first three sets of numbers match the router but the last number is different, use the router ip address as the default gateway and try to ping again, if your router is not issuing an IP addreess you will have to configure it manually. If you can connect wired you may have a problem with the wireless card in your machine or the router's wireless may not be broadcasting, i.e. broken.

Sometimes event viewer can show some problems going on, things marked with a red X or exclamation point are possible clues.

Turn off any firewalls you have on your system to test. Good luck, report back.

[lv1]

Here is what I did to solve it. I disabled (unchecked) WLAN in the properties window for the Intel Pro Wireless card. I ran the Wireless Zero Configurator (Run Services.msc) . Set it to start automatically and make sure it is started. Then I went to the network connection for the Intel Card, view available networks, clicked on connect and re-entered my WEP. It works like it should now.

[GomJabbar]

URL: Intel wireless adapters have limited connection methods and cannot be controlled via Fn + F5 - ThinkPad

[TPBV]

Thanks for the replies. I will comment the previous three posts:

Admin tools, services, near the bottom of that long list.

I have seen zone alarm (not the free version) block pings on networks from worksktations. Do you know the ip address of your router? Configure your wired nic manually to the same subnet as your router, use an IP address where the first three sets of numbers match the router but the last number is different, use the router ip address as the default gateway and try to ping again, if your router is not issuing an IP addreess you will have to configure it manually. If you can connect wired you may have a problem with the wireless card in your machine or the router's wireless may not be broadcasting, i.e. broken.

Sometimes event viewer can show some problems going on, things marked with a red X or exclamation point are possible clues.

Turn off any firewalls you have on your system to test. Good luck, report back.

The most interesting thing occured in connection with "wireless zero configuration":
I stopped and restarted the service, and lo and behold, I was able to perform pings.
Unfortunately, the situation lasted only five minutes whereupon everything returned
to the previous state. I don't think that anything is wrong with the
wireless card since it works OK in my office where we use a special
program, called SecureW2, to perform authorization. I also tried to
disable all firewalls, and the situation remains the same. I also think
that the router is OK since another computer connects to the
internet by it


Here is what I did to solve it. I disabled (unchecked) WLAN in the properties window for the Intel Pro Wireless card. I ran the Wireless Zero Configurator (Run Services.msc) . Set it to start automatically and make sure it is started. Then I went to the network connection for the Intel Card, view available networks, clicked on connect and re-entered my WEP. It works like it should now.

As described previously restarting wireless zero service helped
once; but after that it had no effect.


URL: Intel wireless adapters have limited connection methods and cannot be controlled via Fn + F5 - ThinkPad

I am not sure this is relevant since I had no problems with Fn+F5.
But just in case, I followed the instructions. I did not find any
instance of the DLL in question in the Windows folder, but I moved
the PATH item in question to the front of the PATH list. The result
was as expected -- zilch.

I suppose my question now is "Am I running out of options, and
is reintall of software starting with the factory configuration about
the only thing that is left?"

[rvacha]

It sounds like you've tried connecting via Windows instead of AC, but have tried uninstalling AC and then trying to connect with Windows? I have never personally seen a instance of AC that worked and now the first thing I do (literally) is uninstall AC so I can about using my network without fear or hassles

[NS]

It sounds like you've tried connecting via Windows instead of AC, but have tried uninstalling AC and then trying to connect with Windows? I have never personally seen a instance of AC that worked and now the first thing I do (literally) is uninstall AC so I can about using my network without fear or hassles

I agree with rvacha.

AC sometimes will cause some wireless problems and try uninstalling it and allow your computer to run on windows wireless. Try this first. I am not sure it will work on your TP but it worked perfectly well on all my 4 TPs.

Uninstall AC...

[Charles Mann]

TPBV

I had the same network problem with my new T60p, the solution was the removal of a Symantec firewall. This was part of the installed software from Lenovo. After removing the Symantec STUFF, the network connection worked like a charm.

Charles

[NS]

Which symantec firewall? The norton antivirus???

[Charles Mann]

NS WROTE:
Which symantec firewall? The norton antivirus???

It was a Symantec firewall, not Norton antivirus. Totally blocked all network activity. I don't recall the exact product, as I uninstalled the culprit. Hmm..Symnatec system something..

Charles

[TPBV]

I think that the only thing I haven't tried from the previous suggestions
is to remove the Symantec firewall. However, before I read this proposal,
I decided that enough is enough, and I reinstalled the factory configuration.
Now my wireless works normally INCLUDING the Symantec firewall
(but minus AC). My theory is that the root cause of my problems was
the use of the System Migration Assistant to move settings from my
old T42 to the T60p. My feeling is that unless one is an expert, it is dangerous
to migrate settings among different types of computers.

Anyway, I am thanking all who responded, and I think I've learned
a thing or two about wireless.