Access Connections security problems

[seaweedsl]

I'm aware that Access Connections is considered to be a great utility and that most problems are likely operator error or mismatched driver/AC versions.

Yet I have had problems with it since the day I started using Thinkpads. Access connections and then later the System update both make me cringe, sorry to report.

My main problem (across various Thinkpads - R50P, R51-T42p - T61 - all running XP, with atheros and Intel cards) has been this:

1) When I go to make a new connection at a coffee shop, hotel, etc that is secured, it never seems to accept the password/key and make the connection.
It seems to require very specific information about what kind of security you are using and gets hung up around that? (WHY?)
So, I ask the hotel/etc manager if it's x flavor of WPA security or y flavor of WPA or x-bit WEP or .... and they never know. Fact is, most people can connect their laptops to a wireless connection without ever knowing precisely what flavor of security it is, if only they have the actual secutity key. The other guests are not having a problem.

But with Access connections, I go through this dance where I call the security what I think it should be, then it does not work, then I cycle through every type of security it might be and none of them work. I go back and verify that the key is correct - yes. The Dells and Toshibas are all connecting fine, but my Access connections Thinkpad won't. So I give up on it and try to hand over control to Windows, which is usually just a check box on most connection utilities.

2) but Access Connections will not let me pass the control over to windows. It offers the option, but then never accepts it. It then requires that I enter the security key (the one that Access Connections can't handle) before it will let me go to Windows Zero config.

At this point, in all previous cases, I have found that uninstalling Access connections and then re-installing the driver apart has solved any connection issues pertaining to security. Once windows has control, it's a breeze to set up.

But this last time I couldn't uninstall it. I had my dad's T-61 which I got for him, but he uses at his office and at home for VPN. His tech has it setup, but he's visiting and we want to connect him at his hotel. Should be easy, but Access Connections is in my way again and he needs the settings it has stored.

I tried and tried, and had to tell him that although I have three Thinkpads and manage three more, I can't make their wireless utility work ! We gave up and used my laptop to get him online.

So, long story to see if anybody knows what I can do in this situation. Or why setting up a new connection with security is so problematic for me... usually the ongoing connections are not a problem, I dont know why...

Or maybe there is some way to actually hand control over to windows without uninstalling AC.

Thanks,
Steve

[jdhurst]

I am using AC V5.12 and the last time I tried to attach to a network it did not ask whether WEP or WPA. I recall that earlier versions did. What version are you using? ... JDH

[seaweedsl]

Good news then. If Lenovo has changed the interface to work better, then I should suggest that they update my dad's Access Connections. He must have a previous version same as I have always seen.

Unfortunately, that computer is not with me to test, I just thought to sort it out for next time.

Do you have any hints as to how to get Access Connections to hand over the connection (including security) to Windows ?

Cheers,
Steve