Im having serious issues with my wireless networking performance. I have a T30 with an original configuration that includes the entire wireless hardware, etc.

Im now experiencing difficulties in keeping my connection to the Internet when Im using the Wireless settings.... it seems like I get connected but after 2-3 minutes, the connection dies out on me. Strange thing is that Im having these issues at an airport lounge where nobody else seems to have this problem.

As part of the software I use to get connected via Wireless, I have a Wireless Radio that seems to loose connection all the time. Weird thing is that if I ask the radio to re-scan, the connection is re-established almost immediately - but then proceeds to die out again.

Any ideas on whats going on...? Thanks!!!

Perhaps it's finding other nearby networks and trying to hop from one to another? You may want to right-click on the 2 squares icon thing in the system tray and "view all avail networks" and try to remove the rogue ones (or old ones) and try again.

That said, I've had recent issues as well with my T30...i just decided to forget it and bought a card with b/g functionality...they're pretty cheap these days!

Are you using Access Connections to manage your connections? I've heard that some people have conflicts between that and the Wireless Zero Configuration service embedded within windows.

Check out the T forum at http://forum.thinkpads.com/index.php and maybe do a search on your problem. Good luck.

Thanks for the ideas. I will look into this further and see. I wonder if my recent upgrade to SP2 is also to blame...?

So, TOTALLY coincidentally, I upgraded a friends T30 this weekend.

It was hard to find the right WLAN card software, since apparently, even the model number I had 2366-92u, there were three options and none were showing up in the BIOS.

But, BE SURE NOT to use the latest Acess Connectoins software, since it won't work with the current driver that that laptop uses. This is most likely NOT your problem, but just in case you were going to do some upgrading.

I would recommend upgrading your WLAN driver, and THEN upgraded to the "BACK" copy of the Access Connections, it will be listed as such on the IBM support site.

That works very nicely for me on that LT, and YES, I disable the MSXP Zero Confirguration, simply in the wireless controll panel, when using AC.

AC can be a bit tricky, but once one sets up differant profiles, it works VERY NICELY! Automatically switching when I move to t-mobile, work, offsites, switcing default printing prefs, etc.

It even knows when I am on the repeater in the kitchen, and then prints to the printer just off the kitchen and not the one in the DEN. I LOVE it,

Not sure if SP2 would be the problem - could be. I can't say for sure because I don't use SP2. I'm patched, firewalled (soft and hard), AV'ed and I use Firefox. The only other thing I could do to be even safer is switch to a Mac.

nmenaker makes a very good point - don't use the most recent version of AC. I'm using 3.30, and not the newer 3.7 or even 3.53. 3.30 works just fine for me.

AC is fantastic. That's absolutely amazing that it knows when you're on your repeater and prints accordingly.

*sigh* Why can't more people see the light and get a Thinkpad...

*deliberate troll alert*

ooops, I can see ScottC coming now....

Yeah, tell me about it....

nmenaker-- many thanks for your information, I guess you have found the crux of the problem.

I gave up on AC early on, but I guess it might have improved. When SP2 came out, I found its new WLAN manager really works great. Once it "learns" about a connection, it automatically connects you when you are in range. I have a particular Holiday Inn I often visit and I don't have to touch a button to get online. It just automatically connects each time I power on at this hotel. The same for home which has an AES WPA2-PSK encrypted connection and other hotels. Wayport is automatic too at any hotel that uses Wayport.

1. How do you disable Access Connections?

2. How do you use the Windows configuration tool instead? (SP1)

First of all, Windows XP SP1 doesn't have a great management tool. You need SP2 for that or perhaps you can get this tool without loading all of SP2?

I think if you go to the windows wireless tool, click on advanced config, wireless networks, then click on the box that says "use windows to configure my wireless settings", then AC won't manage anything. However it still shows up on my taskbar and I'm afraid to try to remove it. It doesn't seem to hurt anything.

Actually, if you don't turn OFF AC, simply by disabling it, or taking it out of startups, or unchecking "load at windows startup", the two will battle for your connection. This is root of many problems which people have with the one, or both, they leave both of them on, and the two battle.

So, EITHER, UNCHECK the box listed above to use AC, and keep it running, OR shut down AC, and CHECK the box in the windows wireless advanced settings that says "allow windows to manage my connections"

The new SP2 wireless settings are nice and MUCH better than the old settings, I simply haven't made the move to SP2 on my laptop since there were issues early on, and nothing was gained and AC works great for me.

I can only speak for myself, but windows SP2 and AC don't compete on my system. When I click on AC it only reports what my current connnection is. Windows does the management.

How do you safely turn off AC?

normal ways, right click, EXIT.

there are three services that run for AC, and IBM wifi access, these can be turned off in the services menu, or via the AC options settings.

FWIW, I am having the exact same issue w/ my T30. It's worked great for about two years and then over the last couple months has been having the problem you describe. If I can't figure it out soon, I may just give it back to the tech guys here at work and take a T42. I've just assumed it's the wireless card going bad, but will try some of the ideas here first.