Strange Wireless Problem on my T41

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aphex187 · #1 Post by **aphex187** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 12:08 pm

I have a Thinkpad T41 2379 DJU.

More and more recently I have been having an issue with my wireless to where it cant connect to networks. I use IBM Access Connections to manage my connections. If I tell it to Scan for networks - it finds the wireless network but does not show the SSID. If I start up Netstumbler, I get the same thing - it shows the MACs of the Access Points but doesn't show the SSID. Is there something wrong with the hardware in my ThinkPad?

mattfromomaha · #2 Post by **mattfromomaha** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 4:31 pm

Did you recently install Win XP Service Pack 2? The "wireless zero config" service has been a pain in the rear for a lot of people. First, make sure you have the newest version of Access Connections (3.30 I think) and the newest wireless card driver installed on your system.

If you're still having problems, it may be a faulty wireless card. I'm not sure though, because if it can see the network one would think the card is opertional.

aphex187 · #3 Post by **aphex187** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 6:35 pm

I did install WinXP SP2 - but its got to be at least a month now (installed it when it first came out) and its worked fine up until today.

I did installed IBM Access Connections 3.30 today which also included the wireless driver pack and still no go.

Its so strange that it sees the APs MAC address but can't get the SSID. Its incredibly frustrating - I'll see if anyone else has had the same problems or any other solutions otherwise I will call IBM.

mdarnton · #4 Post by **mdarnton** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 6:38 pm

It may simply be that as people become more aware, and more access points offer the option, more access points are masking the SSID, which is one small way to gain additional security.

dmcgibbo · #5 Post by **dmcgibbo** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:25 pm

i think i know what problem you are having - i don't use access connections b/c it REALLY slows down my startup for some reason but when i view wireless networks it doesn't show the SSID for some of them or they don't show up at all but then sometimes they do. I can try to connect to them even if they don't show the name so what I end up doing is unplugging and replugging in the router and repairing the connection and then it usually works. VERY strange though...

edit: to rephrase - i think he knows that some access points don't show the SSID but when you have your wireless configured to connect to that access point and you have the SSID programmed in, when you view the connections it is supposed to show everything but sometimes it doesn't.

gcchatel · #6 Post by **gcchatel** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:52 pm

most access points do not show their SSID, it is easy to disable this and gains a little security. I had a problem with mine not being able to connect to my access point, I thought it was a problem with the thinkpad, ended up being a problem with the router. Can you connect to some access points (public access point) or not at all?

aphex187 · #7 Post by **aphex187** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:40 pm

dmcgibbo wrote:i think i know what problem you are having - i don't use access connections b/c it REALLY slows down my startup for some reason but when i view wireless networks it doesn't show the SSID for some of them or they don't show up at all but then sometimes they do. I can try to connect to them even if they don't show the name so what I end up doing is unplugging and replugging in the router and repairing the connection and then it usually works. VERY strange though...

I've thought about moving away from IBM Access Connections however I find it incredibly convenient. I have my home wifi network, 2 different ethernet networks at work requiring their own IP and 2 branch wifi networks requiring their own IP so it works for me. I will however try removing IBM Access and just go with XPs built in Wireless config and see what happens.

mdarnton wrote:It may simply be that as people become more aware, and more access points offer the option, more access points are masking the SSID, which is one small way to gain additional security.

This is very viable however its on my own local wi-fi network which i have made sure the SSID is being broadcast

aphex187 · #8 Post by **aphex187** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:49 pm

This is *so* bizzare. I unplugged and plugged in my router and I was able do get online via wireless again - Duh - this is something I should have tried before posting on the board, the simplest solution is usually the correct one.

The bizzare thing is that if I go into netstumbler or even into IBM Access connections I am seeing all the SSIDs of the networks around me. Before this - I saw all the MAC addresses of the networks around me but it never showed the SSID.

For those who don't know - Netstumber should put your wireless in 'promiscuous' mode and see any wifi networks in range. Even if someone has disabled SSID broadcast, Netstumbler will still show the SSID.

The wireless router is a year old D-Link. I hate D-Link products but its my girlfriends and it did the job. Needless to say I think I will go order a different one tomorrow. I've set up a ton of Buffalo APs at the office so I will try one of those at home.

Thank you guys for the help - this site is a blessing for Thinkpad owners. I've run into a few issues with my ThinkPad but its one of the best machines I've ever owned.

lvlolvlo · #9 Post by **lvlolvlo** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 11:29 pm

I had alot of issues with my WI-Fi about 2-3 months into my new thnkpad. All I did simply was uninstall Access Connections, and have not had any problems since.

darrenf · #10 Post by **darrenf** » Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:04 pm

I experienced a similar problem sometime after installing SP2 (not right away). The problem was just in obtaining a DHCP lease. Resetting the router would fix it but only for a while. Another laptop did not have the same problem. About a week ago I (reluctantly) uninstalled Access Connections and the problem has not returned.

I think this might be related to a data corruption problem I am having with the 2200BG and the 8.1 drivers, though. I am going to do some more testing and I'll report back.

-darren

Strange Wireless Problem on my T41

Strange Wireless Problem on my T41

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