Is Access Connections actually good for anything?

[ark]

I have been having nothing but trouble connecting my T60 to my home wireless network. It keeps getting as far as asking for an IP address and then not getting it.

I just tried uninstalling Access Connections and connected to my wireless network immediately. So I'm wondering: What does Access Connections do for me? Is there any reason to bother with it?

[bhtooefr]

Do you use multiple networks, and need to print on those different networks, need to use custom proxy settings on any network, or need to use a static IP on a different network? If not, I wouldn't use Access Connections.

[spuddog]

In my opinion no.

Scott

[jdhurst]

I have come to the conclusion that I am one of about 10 persons in the many billions who use Thinkpads that can make Access Connections work and use it successfully. I have used it non-stop over an unbroken period of about 6 years. I now recommend people not use it, even though I do all the time. ... JDH

[bhtooefr]

It usually lasts six months to a year for me before it starts glitching horribly.

Oh, and to the OP, what version of Windows are you running? If you're running Vista, there's less need for it, and if you're running Windows 7 and will run at least Professional or higher in the future, there is no reason to run most of the ThinkVantage tools, Access Connections included.

[JaneL]

I have come to the conclusion that I am one of about 10 persons in the many billions who use Thinkpads that can make Access Connections work and use it successfully.

It works fine for me, too.

[ark]

Oh, and to the OP, what version of Windows are you running? If you're running Vista, there's less need for it, and if you're running Windows 7 and will run at least Professional or higher in the future, there is no reason to run most of the ThinkVantage tools, Access Connections included.

XP Professional SP3.

[acz]

I have come to the conclusion that I am one of about 10 persons in the many billions who use Thinkpads that can make Access Connections work and use it successfully. I have used it non-stop over an unbroken period of about 6 years. I now recommend people not use it, even though I do all the time. ... JDH

Yes, I have also noted that some people have trouble which is blamed on Access Connecitons, BUT
apparently I am the eleventh person who has used that software, through different versions, in half a dozen different Thinkpads over the years.
During all that time, I used it to quickly get set up at multiple offices and client sites with different networks, both wired and wireless, with different passwords, printers, and so on.
On a few rare occasions, I could not connect, but that was usually fixed with a reboot.

There are many Thinkpad users who have been frustrated with AC, and I think almost all of them have found that the WiFi access software that is built in to XP works OK.

So, here we are in 2009, and I am typing this on a T61 with Win XP SP3, and Access Connections is still useful everywhere I go, and I have no reason to stop using it.

[Ursus]

It works well for me. I'm able to use my own LAN with proxy server when docked, and a different wireless network with no proxy when undocked. I've even been considering putting it onto an old Toshiba laptop, but I know it won't work there.

[ark]

There are many Thinkpad users who have been frustrated with AC, and I think almost all of them have found that the WiFi access software that is built in to XP works OK.

So, here we are in 2009, and I am typing this on a T61 with Win XP SP3, and Access Connections is still useful everywhere I go, and I have no reason to stop using it.

So can you tell me why I cannot connect to my wifi network when Access Connections is installed but have no trouble when it's not? What happens is that when Access Connections is in use, the WiFi connection never gets an IP address even though it does establish a connection.

[jdhurst]

Access Connections ties itself very tightly to the network cards, and of those two, most particularly to the wireless card. You also need to match the version of AC with your card. This is especially true of older machines. For example, my T61p uses an Intel 3945 ABG adapater, and I am using AC V5.31. This pair is matched and it works.

Now, in case of difficulty, there is a now fairly standard tap dance to get going.

Uninstall Access Connections, let the configs go with the uninstall and restart.
Locate, download, explode and make ready the newest driver for your wireless card.
Uninstall the wireless card and restart. On restart, point the requirement to install the wireless card to the new driver. Restart.
Install Access Connections, restart and configure. It should work. It always does for me.
... JDH

[ark]

Access Connections ties itself very tightly to the network cards, and of those two, most particularly to the wireless card. You also need to match the version of AC with your card.

How do I tell which version of AC goes with which network card? Or does it figure it out if I am sure I have installed the correct driver?

[jdhurst]

When you go to the Access Connections page there is a text file with the download. Download and read the text file (For AC, read the whole thing). ... JDH

[ark]

I went through the release notes in detail. After reinstalling Access Connections I still could not connect to my WiFi network. Remove it and all is well. Since I don't really see what I need it for, I think I'll try again next release.

[jdhurst]

And you went through the entire set of steps I laid out, including driver reinstall, and it still doesn't work. Strange indeed. ... JDH

[ark]

What seems to be happening is that somewhere along the line Access Connections forgets that I'm using WPA encryption. Because if I remove encryption from my network and tell the T60 about it, everything works fine. But if I put encryption back on, it establishes a connection but times out waiting for an IP address. And if I uninstall Access Connections, there is no problem getting an IP address.

I suppose it could be some kind of interaction with my router and/or access point.

[bhtooefr]

Ah. When you set the key on AC, make sure you're using the right protocol, I believe it lets you choose WPA-PSK TKIP and WPA-PSK AES. WPA2 is WPA-PSK AES.

[ark]

I'm 99.9% sure I picked TKIP, which is the right one for my system.

[jdhurst]

I think bhtooefr is on the right track. Check your AC settings carefully. 99.9999% is as good a 0 in wireless setup.

You did ask me how to do initial setup and you continue not to answer my question.
... JDH

[hellosailor]

I use Access Connections mainly because it was there, but AFAIK it is a legacy application that no longer has had any real reason to exist, since XP came along with built-in WiFi support and better networking support in general.

The only reason I don't rip it out is because "if it works, don't fix it" and it has been working. I think. (Sometimes I lose WiFi, but I blame the router since that happens on an HP Pavillion as well, and there's no Lenono software there.<G>)

[ark]

I am going to go through each step of JDH's procedure again and report on what happens when I do.

First, I believe that the last time I tried it, I didn't do the "let the configs go" part, at least if I (now) understand it correctly.

To do this, I now need to reinstall AC so that I can uninstall it.

So...
Install Access Connections. Restart.
Uninstall Access Connections. Tell it to "Uninstall ThinkVantage Access Connections and location profiles." Restart.
Use "Add/Remove Programs" to remove wireless driver. Restart.
System asks for location of device driver. Give it C:\DRIVERS\WIN\WLLANATH\WinXP_2K
Run C:\DRIVERS\WIN\WLLANATH\Setup.exe to install the (rest of the) wireless adapter package. Restart.
Install Access Connections. Restart.

Access Connections wants me to create a profile. I do so, specifying WPA-PSK and TKIP. It gets as far as "Waiting for IP Configuration" and hangs.

Uninstall Access Connections. Tell it to "Uninstall ThinkVantage Access Connections and location profiles." Restart. After telling it I wanted Windows to manage the connection and supplying a password, it connected right up.

So I still think there is somethinb about my particular connection that Access Connections dislikes.

[hellosailor]

Sounds like a typical "I don't like your encryption choices" fit from the software. Try to make your connections and setup with a plain UNencrypted connection. If that works, then the problem is often that the WPA selection isn't matched. A typo in the password, a difference in the key lengths, a slightly different WPA flavor being used...all very typical for WiFi, regardless of the vendor.

[ark]

Sounds like a typical "I don't like your encryption choices" fit from the software. Try to make your connections and setup with a plain UNencrypted connection. If that works, then the problem is often that the WPA selection isn't matched. A typo in the password, a difference in the key lengths, a slightly different WPA flavor being used...all very typical for WiFi, regardless of the vendor.

Indeed. But it works without AC and fails with AC, which means that AC must somehow be interpreting my encryption choices differently.

I have no idea how, though.

[jdhurst]

In Access Connections -> Location Profile -> Your profile -> Edit -> Wireless Settings: Look through these settings carefully. In particular, make sure you chose the correct setting for the key (Alphanumeric or Hexadecimal). Make sure under Advanced settings that you have not introduced a MAC key (use the one from the card).

I don't think AC runs the wireless. Rather I think it only puts the settings to the wireless.
... JDH

[Pocket Aces]

I'm in a situation where I want to be able to switch easily from one static IP to another, and Access Connections is great for that.

[acz]

So can you tell me why I cannot connect to my wifi network when Access Connections is installed but have no trouble when it's not? What happens is that when Access Connections is in use, the WiFi connection never gets an IP address even though it does establish a connection.

Well unfortunately, I am not that wise.
I have certainly seen the situation that you describe.
I can tell you that I have assisted a few other people with your exact same problem (I think) by literally starting from scratch - carefully uninstalling the wireless device driver as well as AC, then cleaning up the registry with some tool such as CCleaner, then carefully RE-installing the device driver, then RE-installing some version of AC. For some users an older version of AC is magic.
The final step is to very carefully put in the encryption information - it is a common problem to make a wrong choice or a typo in the key.

My final comment is to note that WPA using TKIP was 'cracked' last fall as described in a series of security headlines... for example,
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/ ... is_cracked
My current understanding is that WPA AES is a more secure choice, but I am no expert.

Anyway, although I have been completely satisfied with AC over the years, I have seen the AC vs. non-AC debate before, and never fully understood the root cause of the problems, so I am looking forward to learning from you and the others on this thread.

[bill bolton]

Access Connections is very useful if you have a numerous network connections with differing characteristics to manage. I have been using it for that reason over several years now, with no significant issues at all.

If you only have simple network connectivity needs over a small number if locations, there is no particular reason to use it.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[Dale H. Cook]

Do you use multiple networks, and need to print on those different networks, need to use custom proxy settings on any network, or need to use a static IP on a different network? If not, I wouldn't use Access Connections.

I do need to do those things, but do not use Access Connections. For years I have used Multi Network Manager for that purpose.