IBM Thinkpad Wireless Software vs. Windows SP2 Wireless software
 

I am one of the people who regularly use Windows Update, so I installed SP2 for XP. At the same time, I also use the IBM Update function that updates the software that was pre-installed on my machine.

Now, it seems that every time I use one of the two, either the manufacturer's software or Windows tries to gain the "upper hand" on which software controls my wireless Internet access.

It's kind of confusing, and I was wondering if any other member had similar issues.

I think in XP, one can change the setting to "Let Windows manage my wireless connections" or something like that.

Would you recommend that?

Thanks.

I've not had the best experiences with the Windows wirleless management, but I have to admit that the one it has in SP2 is a major improvement. So I guess it's just a case of picking whichever one works the most reliably or easilly.

Somehow I suspect the new SP2 one will be the best.

I tried them both, so far I like and using the IBM software, super easy to use.

I'm in the other camp. I do not like the IBM software and find the XP SP2 app to be top-notch.

If you are referring to IBM's 'Access Connections' program, then I can tell you it has far more functionality that what is in XP SP2. So, I'd choose IBM's over XP/SP2.

If you use one, diable the other
 

If you are going to use one, stick with it. Personally, I do like the IBM AC, but make sure you have all the updates, and make sure you do the update correctly. One has to UNINSTALL AC, BEFORE upgrading any network card software, then install a newer version of AC.

On the MSFT side, if you are going to use AC, then disable the little check box in MSFT wireless settings, that says "allow MSFT to configure my wireless connection"

If you are going to use MSFT, then don't turn on AC. Works better that way.

personally, I really like the AC settings.

Thanks for your post.

Actually, one reason for my post was that I don't know how to turn off AC...

The reason that I had wanted to turn it off and use MS was that somehow, the IBM software did not work properly with Apple's Airport Express (which is a really cool piece of technology, by the way).

hmmm
 

hmmm, I seen to have no problem using it with an APE,

but, anyhow.

Just, disable the AC in the menu bar, and turn it off in services, or I think there is a preference for that in AC. but, I THINK that if you simply disable it in the menu bar, and don't activate it again via START, All PROGRAMS, ACCESS IBM, then AC it won't actually come back on and it doesn't run in the background.

so that's it!!!

i think.

I can't properly configure my airport express and I have a IBM T23.

In my program start menu, I don't see access connections anymore.
I also don't see it in the add/remove programs...can someone tell me the name I should be looking for? Thinkpad ... Access Connections ... IBM something?

I really need to figure this out so I can properly use apple airport admin

Thanks

It's not only the "Access Connections". I have a tray icon that kind of looks like a column graph, and when I scroll over it, it says "IBM High Rate Wireless LAN MiniPCI Combo Card". I can't really get rid of that icon, but it seems to be part of the "Access Connections" thing, and I cannot find the option to disable this stuff and to just let Windows take care of things...

Sorry if this sounded a little confusing :).

That icon is the driver for the wireless card in your Thinkpad. It's not specifically related to AC, and it's options and functions will vary based on which wireless card is inside your thinkpad (IBM only offers a limited choice of wireless cards). The most common control is for a power mode, for example when you're operating on battery and want to maximixe battery life, you set the appropriate power mode. Mine has 'enable automatic radio control': This allows IBM AC, or XP SP2, to turn off the wifi card when an ethernet connection is detected, for example.

I don't think you want to delete or disable the icon.

corrected spelling

yeah
 

yeah, that is the icon for whatever card/driver you are using. I don't really think you can disable it if you wanted to. That stays, the T icon, which is AC can be stopped or ENDED and that will kill AC.

then, click on the little baby computers icons and one of them should be your wireless card, that gets you to MSFT zero configuration for wireless, if you like.