FYI, on my spankin' new ThinkPad T42 (no drooling, please) I successfully uninstalled Access Connections from Add/Remove Programs with no negative effects to Windows XP's own connections software (Wireless Zero or whatever it is).
I did this also on my previous T41 and had no problems.
Gaucho, have you tried the "repair" option under the Windows wireless connection icon (right click the icon)?