no automatic connection at startup

I'm running a desktop under Win2k sp4. With a Linksys router. I have wireless connectivity to another win2k desktop and a winXP laptop. TCP/IP with NetBIOS activated on all does the trick. I have internet connection on all as well as file sharing. Took me only about 3 weeks of intensive research and troubleshooting to get it all going! ;-)

The problem is that my wireless desktop will not connect automatically on startup. Each time I boot, I must enter the configuration utility of the wireless adapter , search for the access point and connect manually. Once that is done, all is fine. The adapter itself is OK, since I earlier had Linux installed on the same PC and the connection worked automatically at boot.

The laptop connection also starts up automatically at bootup.

I suspected that some service was operating manually so I tried changing any services that looked like they might be associated with networking to Automatic. Didn't change a thing.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

thebluejay

 

Not quite that simple. I have been working on this for some time. The Linksys configuration utility for my wireless adapter does not have an auto connect option. Linksys support says the connection should be automatic and suggests something is wrong in the OS or in the card. Its is not the card, because I checked it - runs fine with Linux. So it has to be some Windows networking setting that is messing me up. But I can't find it.

 

This sounds like a problem specific to the wireless card drivers and supporting software. When you say "Linksys support says .." is that the feedback from more than one support representitive or just one? It looks to me like the sort of response you can get from a tech. support guy who doesn't know the answer.

 

I have dealt with about FIVE Linksys support people and they could not help me. They all seem to say that since I have an internet wireless connection, the router and adapter are both working properly so it's not their problem. One suggested I ask Microsoft for help!!! LOL.

 

Hunt around your network connection and wireless utility.
There is a setting that will make your connecting more promiscuous.
Something like connect to "non preferred networks on setup "
I believe that there is a more security conscious setting but i cannot recall it at the moment.
It is always in the settings - most windows problems.

 

Checked the DHCP Active IP Table and found only entries for the three computers on the network. Deleted and refreshed just to make sure they were all correct.

Will try safe mode. Already tried with no AV or firewall.

Stand by...

 

solved!

Hey Tony! Guess what! Problem solved, thanks to you.

The problem was AOL's new Active Virus Shield (AVS). I discovered this by running the wireless PC in Safe Mode with Networking as you suggested. When the connection worked automatically in Safe Mode, it was clearly some application that was blocking the connection. My first suspect was AVS since it is active right from startup looking for updates (even with scanning and startup options disabled). Sure enough, once it was uninstalled, my wireless connected automatically on reboot.

I initially installed AVS because it was supposed to be less of a resources hog than AVG. Not so. When running in the background, AVS was using around 8M of memory, while AVG used only about 1.5M.

I have now installed AVG and it works just fine, thanks. I guess AOL is still to be avoided like the plague. ;-)

Thanks so much for the tip. I've been going nuts with this issue and am so relieved to have finally worked it out.

Blessings on you, Tony.