WiFi problem

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It happens that sometimes when I switch on my notebook from hybernation,
it cannot find the wireless network. Everything was working fine before
with Wifi access working before hybernation.

Then I have to go to the properties of the wireless network, in the
General tabe click on Configure, go to the Driver tab, and choose to
Uninstall the driver.

Then go to the Control Panel, click on Hardware and search for newly
added hardware. It finds the Wifi card (an Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100
3B Mini PCI adapter). A network symbol appears on the bottom bar, I
click on it, enter the 104 bit password and it finally connects to the
network. Interestingly it increases the number of the wireless
connection by 1 - I'm currently on Wireless Connection Nr. 6.

The problem does not happen always, only sometimes. I'm running XP on an
IBM X31 subnotebook and I reinstalled the operating system one week ago
(a fresh install, as I changed the HDD).

On the previous HDD I also had this problem - there I managed to reach
the Wireless Network Nr 103.

Anyway, what can be done ? The procedure of uninstalling the Wifi card
driver and letting the hardware manager find it again is a bit
cumbersome. There must be something which can be done to fix the problem
once for all. Any pointers ?
--

Alfred Molon
------------------------------
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Olympus_405080/
Olympus 5060 resource - http://myolympus.org/5060/
Olympus 8080 resource - http://myolympus.org/8080/
 
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Alfred Molon wrote:
> It happens that sometimes when I switch on my notebook from
> hybernation, it cannot find the wireless network. Everything was
> working fine before with Wifi access working before hybernation.
>
> Then I have to go to the properties of the wireless network, in the
> General tabe click on Configure, go to the Driver tab, and choose to
> Uninstall the driver.
>
> Then go to the Control Panel, click on Hardware and search for newly
> added hardware. It finds the Wifi card (an Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100
> 3B Mini PCI adapter). A network symbol appears on the bottom bar, I
> click on it, enter the 104 bit password and it finally connects to the
> network. Interestingly it increases the number of the wireless
> connection by 1 - I'm currently on Wireless Connection Nr. 6.
>
> The problem does not happen always, only sometimes. I'm running XP on
> an IBM X31 subnotebook and I reinstalled the operating system one
> week ago (a fresh install, as I changed the HDD).
>
> On the previous HDD I also had this problem - there I managed to reach
> the Wireless Network Nr 103.
>
> Anyway, what can be done ? The procedure of uninstalling the Wifi card
> driver and letting the hardware manager find it again is a bit
> cumbersome. There must be something which can be done to fix the
> problem once for all. Any pointers ?

One pointer: don't reinstall the driver. What are you using for the
connection - Wireless Zero Configuration or the proprietary control
software? If WZC, do not load the proprietary control software; if the
proprietary software, disable WZC.

In WZC, there is a setting to always connect to preferred networks, and
you should define your network as preferred. Turn off any power
managment for the card in device manager. WZC will restore the
connection after resuming the OS. The proprietary software might not.

Q
 

Andrew

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In comp.sys.laptops Alfred Molon <alfred_molonREMOVE@yahoo.com> wrote:
: The problem does not happen always, only sometimes. I'm running XP on an
: IBM X31 subnotebook and I reinstalled the operating system one week ago
: (a fresh install, as I changed the HDD).

Have you done all the Windows updates? Even SP2 might help.

Andrew
--
----> Portland, Oregon, USA <----
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----> http://www.bizave.com <---- Photo Albums and Portland Info
----> To Email me remove "MYSHOES" from email address
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In article <qeidnc5UhNMu8RDcRVn-iw@comcast.com>, quaoar@tenthplanet.net
says...

> > Anyway, what can be done ? The procedure of uninstalling the Wifi card
> > driver and letting the hardware manager find it again is a bit
> > cumbersome. There must be something which can be done to fix the
> > problem once for all. Any pointers ?
>
> One pointer: don't reinstall the driver. What are you using for the
> connection - Wireless Zero Configuration or the proprietary control
> software? If WZC, do not load the proprietary control software; if the
> proprietary software, disable WZC.

I don't know what software it is. It is something preinstalled (the
notebook comes with three recovery CDs which I use to install XP when I
change the HDD). All I know is that when I reinstall XP it automatically
starts searching for a network and there is a symbol in the bottom bar
with three vertical green bars for the signal strength. It's the first
time however I hear the term "Wireless Zero".

--

Alfred Molon
------------------------------
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Olympus_405080/
Olympus 5060 resource - http://myolympus.org/5060/
Olympus 8080 resource - http://myolympus.org/8080/
 
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Alfred Molon wrote:
> In article <qeidnc5UhNMu8RDcRVn-iw@comcast.com>,
> quaoar@tenthplanet.net says...
>
>>> Anyway, what can be done ? The procedure of uninstalling the Wifi
>>> card driver and letting the hardware manager find it again is a bit
>>> cumbersome. There must be something which can be done to fix the
>>> problem once for all. Any pointers ?
>>
>> One pointer: don't reinstall the driver. What are you using for the
>> connection - Wireless Zero Configuration or the proprietary control
>> software? If WZC, do not load the proprietary control software; if
>> the proprietary software, disable WZC.
>
> I don't know what software it is. It is something preinstalled (the
> notebook comes with three recovery CDs which I use to install XP when
> I change the HDD). All I know is that when I reinstall XP it
> automatically starts searching for a network and there is a symbol in
> the bottom bar with three vertical green bars for the signal
> strength. It's the first time however I hear the term "Wireless Zero".

Windows XP has its own wireless management service called Wireless Zero
Configuration service. It is accessed from All
Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Administrative Services/Services
applet. Normally there is no need to ever turn this off. However, your
card might have a configuration application that is loaded at startup
that interferes with WZC. From a the Run command, type in: msconfig,
enter key. Select the Startup tab. Look through the startup
applications and uncheck the wireless management application, close
msconfig, and restart. If you do not know what the startup applications
listed in msconfig are doing, use this site as a guide:
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php

Q
 

BigJim

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mine does the same thing I just do a reconnect to wifi
"Alfred Molon" <alfred_molonREMOVE@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1bf77a117687162398a885@news.supernews.com...
> It happens that sometimes when I switch on my notebook from hybernation,
> it cannot find the wireless network. Everything was working fine before
> with Wifi access working before hybernation.
>
> Then I have to go to the properties of the wireless network, in the
> General tabe click on Configure, go to the Driver tab, and choose to
> Uninstall the driver.
>
> Then go to the Control Panel, click on Hardware and search for newly
> added hardware. It finds the Wifi card (an Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100
> 3B Mini PCI adapter). A network symbol appears on the bottom bar, I
> click on it, enter the 104 bit password and it finally connects to the
> network. Interestingly it increases the number of the wireless
> connection by 1 - I'm currently on Wireless Connection Nr. 6.
>
> The problem does not happen always, only sometimes. I'm running XP on an
> IBM X31 subnotebook and I reinstalled the operating system one week ago
> (a fresh install, as I changed the HDD).
>
> On the previous HDD I also had this problem - there I managed to reach
> the Wireless Network Nr 103.
>
> Anyway, what can be done ? The procedure of uninstalling the Wifi card
> driver and letting the hardware manager find it again is a bit
> cumbersome. There must be something which can be done to fix the problem
> once for all. Any pointers ?
> --
>
> Alfred Molon
> ------------------------------
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Olympus_405080/
> Olympus 5060 resource - http://myolympus.org/5060/
> Olympus 8080 resource - http://myolympus.org/8080/
 
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In article <OIudnb1kXOTCOhDcRVn-jw@comcast.com>, quaoar@tenthplanet.net
says...

> Windows XP has its own wireless management service called Wireless Zero
> Configuration service. It is accessed from All
> Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Administrative Services/Services
> applet. Normally there is no need to ever turn this off. However, your
> card might have a configuration application that is loaded at startup
> that interferes with WZC. From a the Run command, type in: msconfig,
> enter key. Select the Startup tab. Look through the startup
> applications and uncheck the wireless management application, close
> msconfig, and restart. If you do not know what the startup applications
> listed in msconfig are doing, use this site as a guide:
> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php

I checked and there is a program called QCWLICON in the startup menu,
which displays the WLAN signal intensity meter. I also found a program
under All programs/Access IBM called "IBM Access Connections".
Should I disable QCWLICON ?
--

Alfred Molon
------------------------------
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Olympus_405080/
Olympus 5060 resource - http://myolympus.org/5060/
Olympus 8080 resource - http://myolympus.org/8080/
 
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Alfred Molon wrote:
> I checked and there is a program called QCWLICON in the startup menu,
> which displays the WLAN signal intensity meter. I also found a program
> under All programs/Access IBM called "IBM Access Connections".
> Should I disable QCWLICON ?

Do you have auto-profile enabled in IBM Access Connections? Then it
should search for a fitting profile and configure the network connection
accordingly. If not, it should be enough for you to connect to our
profile with Access Connections. Access Connections should have a tray
icon. If it is not shown, start Access Connections from Start - Programs
- Access IBM menu.

Gerald
 
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In article <cmkprl$nac$1@news-sth.ocn.ad.jp>, vogt@spamcop.net says...

> Do you have auto-profile enabled in IBM Access Connections? Then it
> should search for a fitting profile and configure the network connection
> accordingly. If not, it should be enough for you to connect to our
> profile with Access Connections. Access Connections should have a tray
> icon. If it is not shown, start Access Connections from Start - Programs
> - Access IBM menu.

Well, I just tried what you suggested, went to Programs/Access
IBM/Access Connections and checked if auto-profile was activated. In the
Access Connections windows the icons started blinking wildly for a few
seconds and then the wireless connection (Nr. 9) was gone :(

I tried several things and nothing would bring it back. So I uninstalled
the Wifi card driver, let the Hardware manager find it again and am now
on Wireless Connection Nr. 10. Also, the Wifi meter Icon at the bottom
of the bar now no longer shows any signal, even if I have a connection.
In other words, the situation is now a bit worse than when I started the
thread - at least then the Wifi meter displayed the signal properly.

By the way, is there any way to reset the database of available Wifi
network ? I suspect that the error is there.
--

Alfred Molon
------------------------------
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Olympus_405080/
Olympus 5060 resource - http://myolympus.org/5060/
Olympus 8080 resource - http://myolympus.org/8080/
 
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Alfred Molon wrote:
> In article <cmkprl$nac$1@news-sth.ocn.ad.jp>, vogt@spamcop.net says...
>
>> Do you have auto-profile enabled in IBM Access Connections? Then it
>> should search for a fitting profile and configure the network
>> connection accordingly. If not, it should be enough for you to
>> connect to our profile with Access Connections. Access Connections
>> should have a tray icon. If it is not shown, start Access
>> Connections from Start - Programs - Access IBM menu.
>
> Well, I just tried what you suggested, went to Programs/Access
> IBM/Access Connections and checked if auto-profile was activated. In
> the Access Connections windows the icons started blinking wildly for
> a few seconds and then the wireless connection (Nr. 9) was gone :(
>
> I tried several things and nothing would bring it back. So I
> uninstalled the Wifi card driver, let the Hardware manager find it
> again and am now on Wireless Connection Nr. 10. Also, the Wifi meter
> Icon at the bottom of the bar now no longer shows any signal, even if
> I have a connection. In other words, the situation is now a bit worse
> than when I started the thread - at least then the Wifi meter
> displayed the signal properly.
>
> By the way, is there any way to reset the database of available Wifi
> network ? I suspect that the error is there.

If you are going to use the vendor's management applications, then
disable Wireless Zero Configuration and stop the service. WZC does not
play well with any other wireless configuration/management programs,
causing the type of problems you are seeing.

Q
 
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In article <bfudndMMe5ldwRPcRVn-2A@comcast.com>, quaoar@tenthplanet.net
says...

> If you are going to use the vendor's management applications, then
> disable Wireless Zero Configuration and stop the service. WZC does not
> play well with any other wireless configuration/management programs,
> causing the type of problems you are seeing.

The problem is that I don't have this Wireless Zero software installed,
so I can't disable it. I'm running XP Pro on an IBM Thinkpad X31.
--

Alfred Molon
------------------------------
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Olympus_405080/
Olympus 5060 resource - http://myolympus.org/5060/
Olympus 8080 resource - http://myolympus.org/8080/
 
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Alfred Molon wrote:
> In article <bfudndMMe5ldwRPcRVn-2A@comcast.com>, quaoar@tenthplanet.net
> says...
>
>
>>If you are going to use the vendor's management applications, then
>>disable Wireless Zero Configuration and stop the service. WZC does not
>>play well with any other wireless configuration/management programs,
>>causing the type of problems you are seeing.
>
>
> The problem is that I don't have this Wireless Zero software installed,
> so I can't disable it. I'm running XP Pro on an IBM Thinkpad X31.

WZC is part of Microsoft Windows. You have it. There is no way to remove
it. You must disable it:

Go to your network properties (Right-click the wireless network
connection and select properties). Select the tab "wireless networks".
The top line with the checkbox says something like "Let Windows
configure your connection" (sorry, I don't have an English Windows right
now...) This is the configuration of zero configuration. If it is
enabled and thus the list of networks etc. on this tab are _not_ greyed
out, then you are running zero configuration. This will not work
together with Access Connections as AC does the same configuration. If
you are using AC then WZC must be disabled. If you are not using AC,
then you need probably WZC.

Are you sure you have the current drivers for your Thinkpad. Check the
versions available on your X31 driver matrix:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-43800

(A better place to start to get only the downloads, hints and updates
you need for your specific machine would be at:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?doctypeind=9&template=%2Fproductselection%2Flandingpages%2FdownloadsDriversLandingPage.vm
)

Also have a look at the Access Connections page:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-4ZLNJB

I found occasionally that an update of access connections helps.
(Updating here = deinstall+reinstall and not using the update function
of the update). And at that opportunity also check the other downloads
and updates available, in particular those related to the power
management functions.

Another thing: I don't know what wireless card you use, but some do have
configuration options in the driver properties regarding power saving
etc. These may affect hibernation I guess.

But as your network connection gets unusable if think a good point to
start testing if the problem is with the driver, Access Connections,
Windows or your hardware would be to deinstall Access Connections
(export your profiles before deinstallation and deinstall everything
including the profiles!). This removes the wireless status icon and
Access Connections. Then deinstall the driver of the card, reboot, don't
let Windows install the driver for the card again and install the
current version of the driver downloaded from IBM. Then you should have
a system with current drivers. Now enable WZC and get the connection
configured with Windows WZC and test it thorougly. If your problems
persist then your problem is not related to the IBM software, but either
your driver or your hardware.

If it does not persist you may either choose to stick with WZC and not
use Access Connection (and not using its profiles) or you may try to
install the current version of Access Connections. Read the instructions
of AC thorougly before installation there are some important points, in
particular in case you are running XP SP1. Install it, make sure the
installer disabled WZC and setup your profiles on Access Connections.
Test this.

O.K. That were a lot of thoughts. Go through everything I wrote and
comment all the points I mentioned as detailed as possible so that we
can get an idea of your situation.

Regards,

Gerald