Access Connections behavior & tray icons

[Optigrab]

Okay, clearly I am slow on the uptake. After a few months with my T60p, it's dawned on me that the tray icons for Access Connections and wireless connections behave in a way that I cannot figure out. It's entirely possible that if I knew what was going on, I could correct or understand the intermittent connection problems I have. Basically, I am wondering if I have too many processes managing my wireless connection, thereby causing problems.

I have THREE active icons in my system tray showing my connection status. So here is what I see in my sytem tray:

• (1) an icon that looks like a monitor with a horizontal pipe beneath it (mouse over reads "ThinkVantage Access Connections")
  
  (2) an icon that appears to be a tiny monitor next to a static bar graph whose colors change with signal strength (mouse over reads "ThinkVantage Access Connections")
  
  (3) a familiar Windows tray network icon, a monitor with radio waves eminating from the right side (mouse over reads "Wireless Network Connection")
  
  I also have two additional network icons (the familiar Windows type), indicating neither ethernet (wired) or EV-DO connections exist. These are correct and not part of my confusion.

I have all wireless radios off except the 3945ABG card.

Somtimes icon (2) will indicate that the signal strength is low (yellow) or zero (red circle and slash), while icon (3) indicates the signal is good to excellent. On these occasions I may or may not have internet connectivity.

Should I (can I) somehow disable the some windows networking process to allow Access Connections better control over the wireless? Do I have too many processes managing my wireless connection?


P.S. sorry for the lame descriptions. I actually have a screenshot, but couldn't figure out how to upload it.

[GomJabbar]

To upload images, I use this site: http://www.imageshack.us/

It is free, and it is easy to use. But please be aware that it is against forum rules to put an image in your post without a warning of image(s) in the subject line of the thread. Generally it is preferrable to just put a link in your post that the reader can click on to view the image. You can do this with ImageShack.

Yes, there seem to be too many icons. You can gain control of a few of them. If you go to Start > Connect To > Show all connections, right-click on the wireless adapter, choose Properties then uncheck box to Show icon in notification area when connected. Next, double-click on the Access Connections icon that looks like a monitor with a horizontal pipe beneath it. Click on Configure > Global Settings... > Notification, and uncheck box to Show wireless status icon in task tray. Finally you can right-click on the task bar and choose Properties > Customize... then click on the behavior of the icons you want to hide and choose Always hide. Unfortunately, this Always hide doesn't always stick.

[Optigrab]

Thanks GomJabbar for the advice on images and on reducing the number of tray icons.

Should I assume then, that there's no conflict between Windows and Access Connections? To my eyes, they both seem to be monitoring and/or managing my 3945ABG connection. If this is the case, hiding the icon should won't change that.

[GomJabbar]

Go to the Properties page for your wireless adapter, then click on the Wireless Networks tab and uncheck box to: Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings.

You can also go to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services, then scroll down to Wireless Zero Configuration service. Stop the service and set it to disabled.

One other tray icon you may have. Go to Start > All Programs > Intel Network Adapters > Intel(R) PROSet for Wired Connections. Uncheck box to show the tray icon.

[Optigrab]

Thanks GomJabbar. Stopping the Wireless Zero Configuration service seems to have made a positive impact! The signal strength is improved and steadier, and I haven't experienced a disconnect since. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it stays this way!

I had already disabled Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings, and I don't have PROSet running.