Wireless Network Access Issues

Allister67 · 10th June 2008

Hi
I have a new wireless network, but am having real problems with users not being able to access or stay connected for very long. OS is XP Pro SP2, and wireless software is ThinkVantage Access Connections v.4.4. Users who have any kind of profile on their machine other than 'standard' (i.e. power users/super users, local admins etc) can use the network fine, but standard users either cannot see the network all the time, or if they can connect the connection drops out after a while and then tries to reconnect automatically. Changing all the users to power user isn't really an option, so I'm wondering if it's something in the way access connections is configured relative to the user profile? Any thoughts/suggestions greatly appreciated.

**TonyT** · 11th June 2008

Dump the IBM connection software and use the Wireless Zero Config built into XP, it works better!

To do this:

1. diable Think Vantage from loading at boot by first backing up then deleting any registry values for it at HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Run/ and/or Start Menu/Programs/Startup and/or Control Panel/Admin Tools/Services
(it may load via multiple locations)

2. In Services, set Wireless Zero Confit to Started & Automatic.

3. Get the Windows wireless icon in system tray:
rt click My Network Places > select Properties > rt click Wireless Network > select Properties > put a check in both boxes.

4. double click the Windows wifi in System tray > click on Change order of preferred networks > put check in box "use Windows to manage wifi".