Thinkvantage Access Connections problem - please help!!

[Evanschr]

Hardware
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Original description: Based on 1951-43U: T1300(1.6GHz), 1GB RAM, 60GB 7200rpm HD, 14.1in 1400x1050 LCD, Intel 950, CDRW/DVDRW, 802.11abg wireless, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, 9c Li-Ion batt.

Software:
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OS : Windows XP SP3

Having recently updated Access Connections from 4.52 to ver 5.30 on a Thinkpad T60, I've noticed that when I create a new wireless profile with WPA encryption then Access Connections fails to connect unless you disable encryption on the router.

I had a Wireless profile previously configured before I migrated to Ver 5.30 and if I use this profile then Access Connections connects up via WLAN fine. My system is using the latest HotKey,Power management and Wireless drivers (see list below)

- Hotkey Driver Version 2.11.0001
- Power Management driver Version:1.52
- ThinkPad 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Mini PCI Express Adapter v7.4.2.134

I've since tried uninstalling AC (removing profiles) and tried reinstalling AC via a fresh install and still cannot connect to Wireless LAN with WPA encryption enabled. I've also tried repairing my Windows installation with WinXP SP2 and still the problem remains.

Has any one encountered any similar issues and if so, can anyone provide guidance on how to resolve this issue?.

[jdhurst]

I am using AC V5.31 in Vista and it certainly connects to WPA. I am also using a different network card.

If V4.52 was working, I would be inclined to revert back to that version. Since wireless is not working at all apparently, then try the following:

Obtain the driver you have for your wireless card and explode it into the DRIVERS folder for easy access. Make sure AC V4.52 is on hand and also explode it into the DRIVERS folders. Now uninstall Access Connections and all the profiles, restart if asked. Uninstall the wireless driver, restart. When it restarts, point the hardware wizard to your driver install location. Install Access Connections.

Good luck. ... JDH

[Evanschr]

I've just literally removed V5.30 inclusive of profiles etc and upon installing V4.52 I'm now challenged with the same issue, it just doesn't make sense. If I now create a new wireless profile with WPA and attempt to connect I see the AC dialog box attempt to connect which displays an X on applying wireless settings.

Disable encryption on the router and AC connects without an issue (problem also seen with another router, so I can be sure it's not the router).

Any other ideas?

[GomJabbar]

Uninstall Access Connections and reboot. Then uninstall your Wireless Driver software and reboot. Now reinstall your wireless driver software, reboot and install Access Connections, reboot.

I believe the problem is with your Wireless Driver software. Perhaps the latest version of Access Connections is not compatible with your Wireless Adapter (check the readme file and prerequisites for Access Connections). For a test, you could try connecting using Windows after replacing the wireless driver software, but before installing Access Connections. Make sure you install the XP version of Access Connections, and not the Vista version.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4ZLNJB

[Evanschr]

Thanks, I'll give this is a try although that doesn't explain why the migrated Wireless profile connected fine.

Looking in the log file I created by AC I see an error of 026 - does this simply mean that Authentication failed?.

Connection status:Disconnected
Cause: Authentication Failed.
Error code: 026
Recommended action:
Authentication to the wireless network specified in this profile failed. Contact your network administrator.

If the problem persists, contact your network administrator and provide the troubleshooting information below.

[jsteelman]

I am having the same problem. I think the issue is with newer versions of Access Connections... maybe it just doesn't play nice with certain pieces of hardware? Dunno why someone else who replied said that they could connect just fine with authentication and the poster and I are unable to...

I have a T60 (8744-5BU). Wireless is 802.11 a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Express Adapter, Driver version 7.4.2.134. Readme for AC 5.30 says it needs 7.4.2.132 or higher, so this should be OK.

I had recently run System Update, upgraded to AC 5.21. I was having same problem as poster. Noticed someone else said they were using AC 5.30 and it was working fine, so I installed that version. This is what I'm seeing:

In my apartment, with WPA2-PSK authentication, AC fails when applying connection settings, Error Code 026, same as original poster. I also tried with WEP. I think there was a different error there, but it still couldn't connect.

Tried connecting in my apartment using WIFI on my Tilt phone, and was able to. Also, using my laptop, connected using Windows to manage the connection instead of AC, and that worked, too, so the problem doesn't seem to be with the router. It's only when I'm using AC to make the connection...

At university, network is unauthenticated, password protection is handled elsewhere in the university network, not when originally establishing a wireless connection. (I connect to unauthenticated wireless network first, then run pw protected VPN through that connection.) In that case, I can connect to the network, establish my VPN connection, and everything is fine.

So, as the poster said, AC connections WITHOUT authentication are fine, but who wants to do that for their home wireless network? Bah. It looks to me like the bottom line is that AC is not handling authentication properly... don't know if there's a fix for this until a corrected version of AC is released... although if some smart person out there can come up with a fix, I'd love to hear it! Until then, I guess I just won't be using AC and will rely on Windows...

[jsteelman]

Looking back at the previous posts, another issue may be the OS, I suppose... jdhurst said that AC v5.31 worked fine for him in Vista, but the original poster and myself are both using XP SP3.