Wireless Connection has to be "Repaired" every 10

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coreman · #1 Post by **coreman** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:55 am

Okay now this problem is getting really annoying...I have Netgear 240 Max range router and for months have had zero problems connecting with my T41p.

Now however I am showing "Excellent" connection using Win XP but the Internet connection is stalled out or very, very slow. I right click on the Wireless Icon and do a "Repair" where it turns off the connection and restarts and everthing is fine for a while and then slows/stops again.

I tried the "Wireless zero config" trick and used the Intel Wireless software for the connection but no luck in even getting a connection so I am back to Win XP making the connection.

I don't have any Netgear software installed on my machine, it is only installed on the desktop that is connected to the router.

Any ideas on what's wrong?

FTC · #2 Post by **FTC** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 11:02 am

Hi,

1. Make sure you have all XP relevant patches for wireless..
2. Make sure you have the latest wireless TP sw for your card installed.
3. Now, if you have recently changed the authentication method in your router try switching back... in my case I have a router that does not do WPA correctly and re-issues IP renewal every 5 minutes... very annoying, so I went back to WEP.

coreman · #3 Post by **coreman** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 11:06 pm

FTC wrote:Hi,

1. Make sure you have all XP relevant patches for wireless..
2. Make sure you have the latest wireless TP sw for your card installed.
3. Now, if you have recently changed the authentication method in your router try switching back... in my case I have a router that does not do WPA correctly and re-issues IP renewal every 5 minutes... very annoying, so I went back to WEP.

Reponse:
1. All patches are up to date
2. Not sure what you are talking about here...please explain in more detail.
3. Same authentication as always, WEP, nothing changed. Also had problems with WPA originally so I've been using WEP since day 1 (~6 mos)...not having any problems with hacks on the router...

My troubles began after a business trip where I hooked into numerous wireless points. I am wondering if during these hookups something changed in my connection software. Any ideas on where I would go and look??

FTC · #4 Post by **FTC** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 10:11 am

Hi

By stating "Make sure you have the latest wireless TP sw for your card installed" I meant you should have up to date the "Thinkpad Wireless Lan adapter software" package, which is available in Lenovo site and/or can be accessed with the 'software installer'. It contains the device drivers for the internal wireless card.

murlock · #5 Post by **murlock** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 10:26 am

Are you sure the router is ok (meaning other WLAN-clients work properly)? Had similar issues with various netgear routers and it has always been the router (either overheating, keeping dropped connections in its cache until its full or simply dying).

#6 Post by **GomJabbar** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 5:31 pm

Any chance you might of picked up a virus, worm, trojan, or spyware from these "numerous wireless points"? Do a virus and spyware scan in Safe Mode to be sure.

coreman · #7 Post by **coreman** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:20 pm

murlock wrote:Are you sure the router is ok (meaning other WLAN-clients work properly)? Had similar issues with various netgear routers and it has always been the router (either overheating, keeping dropped connections in its cache until its full or simply dying).

I also have T30 on home wireless network (my daughter's room) and it has been performing flawlessly...so I don't think it is a router problem. I will do another scan for virus/spyware but did one over the weekend and didn't find anything.

How does Access Connections interact with XP Wireless Connections? I don't use Access Connections but it keeps popping up now when I login...and when it pops up, it has disabled XP as the Wireless Connection. I am thinking that somehow IBM Access was enabled during the trip and it is now interacting with XP.

How do I permanently disable Access Connections??

skitty4gzus · #8 Post by **skitty4gzus** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:44 pm

I uninstalled AC because it kept using itself as the default for wireless setup even though I clicked and ok'ed to use Windows to configure my connections. AC kept turning off the wireless radio which drops the connection. It did this probably every 5 to 10 minutes or so, then after the 5th time of that nonsense I simply uninstalled AC and solely use WXP to configure my wireless connections.

coreman · #9 Post by **coreman** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 11:06 pm

skitty4gzus wrote:I uninstalled AC because it kept using itself as the default for wireless setup even though I clicked and ok'ed to use Windows to configure my connections. AC kept turning off the wireless radio which drops the connection. It did this probably every 5 to 10 minutes or so, then after the 5th time of that nonsense I simply uninstalled AC and solely use WXP to configure my wireless connections.

Done...I'll post back after I try out on home network...

coreman · #10 Post by **coreman** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 5:49 am

After uninstalling Access Connections, I still have the problem. It is particularly noticeable when I change websites, it hangs up ~70% of the time...a quick "Repair" and I'm back in operation.

As mentioned before I have Netgear Rangemax 240 router...I haven't hooked to another wireless so I don't know if the problem only exists on the Netgear.

HOWEVER....I had been running for (6) months with zero problems wiht the router, is it possible for there to be a problem now? Any suggestions?

coreman · #11 Post by **coreman** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 8:32 am

Something weird just happened and really makes me think my problem is with the T41 and not the router...I just updated the MS Critical updates (32mb) and after reboot, my PC worked flawlessly, just like before...at least it did for ~30 mins and then I did (2) really fast webpage changes and the problem returned...now whenever I change webpages I have to "Repair"...this is really vexing me...

#12 Post by **GomJabbar** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 12:32 pm

I didn't see it in the posts above: which wireless adapter do you have in your T41?

Notice the following for the Intel PRO 2200bg and 2915abg adapter. This is the list of fixes from one of the driver updates.

Symptoms corrected by version 9.0.2.31 (1YWC38WW)
Note: This version will only work with Access Connections Version 3.71 or higher.

* (Fix) Connection speed fluctuates and disconnects.
* (New) Support for ThinkPad Z60m

Symptoms corrected by the latest Intel PRO 2200bg and 2915abg Mini PCI adapter wireless software for Windows 2000, XP - ThinkPad R5*, T4*, X31, X32, X4*, Z60m

coreman · #13 Post by **coreman** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:49 pm

Thanks for the tip but I have Intel 2100 3B mini pc adapter. Last night it seemed to work again "for a while", nearly an hour before my first repair...and I have uninstalled Access Connections.

At all times I show connection at 10-11 MB/s from router (I have ADSL), even when it gets painfully slow...which is when I do the "Repair" and it jumps back to normal.

#14 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:15 pm

Here is the latest wireless driver for your 2100b. Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI adapter software for Windows 2000/XP - ThinkPad R40, R50, R50e, R50p, R51, T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p, X31, X40

Here is a list of changes for each driver update. Summary of changes for the Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI adapter software for Windows 2000/XP - ThinkPad R40, R50, R50e, R50p, R51, T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p, X31, X40

Here is a page on Intel's site that may help. If you are not using Access Connections, you may want to try downloading a driver from the Intel site. AFAIK, the drivers downloaded from the Intel site will not work with Access Connections. Intel® PRO/Wireless 2100 Network Connection

coreman · #15 Post by **coreman** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:56 am

Okay...now I think it could be in my router because my laptop has worked fine on several other wireless networks.

Can anyone recommend a good wireless forum, particularly one dedicated to Netgear? I've searched without good results...

I leave my router on 24/7...could this be part of the problem?

Thinkpad_T43_Fan · #16 Post by **Thinkpad_T43_Fan** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:13 am

Hi, the problem definitely sounds like it's with your router.

I had an old netgear router that worked fine for a while, and then started dying. It seems to be a symptom of the Netgear chipset / design.

If you do a search on Amazon Netgear RangeMax router, you can see over 40% complaints about the router doing the same thing after a month or two of service.

I switched to a D-Link 634M router, which has over 95% positive reviews on Amazon and other places, and it's worked flawlessly for me.

I leave my routers on 24x7 also, but I make sure they get plenty of ventilation, so no trouble so far.

Good luck!

#17 Post by **tomh009** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:35 am

coreman wrote:Okay...now I think it could be in my router because my laptop has worked fine on several other wireless networks.

Can anyone recommend a good wireless forum, particularly one dedicated to Netgear? I've searched without good results...

I leave my router on 24/7...could this be part of the problem?

My router is on 24/7/365 -- they are designed for that.

How many other access points can you see (at the same time) from your ThinkPad?

coreman · #18 Post by **coreman** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:15 am

tomh009 wrote:
coreman wrote:Okay...now I think it could be in my router because my laptop has worked fine on several other wireless networks.

Can anyone recommend a good wireless forum, particularly one dedicated to Netgear? I've searched without good results...

I leave my router on 24/7...could this be part of the problem?
My router is on 24/7/365 -- they are designed for that.

How many other access points can you see (at the same time) from your ThinkPad?

Usually (1) or (2)...never more than (2). I have concrete walls in my house so I need the power of the 240, otherwise I am unable to connect 20' away.

I am a little [censored] that the router is giving me these problems...guess I'll call Netgear tonight (or rather India I guess) for help. I bought the router in US but moved to Taiwan (which is where my router is made!)...

Anyone recommend a good wireless forum??

coreman · #19 Post by **coreman** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 3:31 am

Okay...I fixed this problem by reinstalling older driver,1.2.4.41, dated Feb 25, 2005.

Apparently all the housework I did in August to bring my T41 up to the latest and greatest did more harm than good...I still have dodgy USB ports because of the Win XP SP2 upgrade or because of some other update conflict that caused my 2.0 ports to throttle back to 1.1 speed...but I am surfing again and havin' fun!!

Wireless Connection has to be "Repaired" every 10

Wireless Connection has to be "Repaired" every 10

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