dRop
11-26-04, 11:29 AM
IBM ThinkPad X40 Windows XP SP2 Wireless Problem
Summary -everything else works, but no default gateway is assigned, so no internet.
I installed Service Pack 2 in order to get the improved wireless security features (WPA) for my home network. Everything works on the home network with WPA. The problem is that the machine has not worked on any other wireless networks since then. The radio works fine, accurately reporting signal strength, network name and settings (e.g. encryption-disabled), the same as another laptop sitting next to it. Using 'ipconfig /all' I see that it picks up a (non-autoconfigure) IP, subnet mask & IP addresses for DHCP and DNS servers, but *nothing* appears in the default gateway field. Strangely, I could ping the DNS, but not the DHCP server. Here are some of the things that I have checked out:
Drivers
The Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI adapter is at driver version 1.2.3.14, the latest. There is an issue with the dates. Windows Device Manager reports the date as 7/28/04 whereas the IBM site for the X40 (http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-54078) reads 25 Oct 2004 and the individual driver download page reads 11/11/2004. I uninstalled the wireless card in the Device Manager and reinstalled with the 11/11/2004 download, but the date stayed at 7/28
Software Control
Both the IBM's and Microsoft's software do the same thing (no default gateway). I cannot figure out how to turn off IBM's software, so I have been mostly using that for testing, unchecking the "Use windows to configure my wireless network settings" box.
Software Updates:
All Critical and Hardware Windows Updates have been applied. I have updated all of IBMs software through their Update Connector or by downloading the packages manually. Most important would be the Access Connections, which is at 3.53. I cannot figure out how get the version on the radio software and the "Modify WLAN settings" box is always grayed out. When that program was updated the "Connecting to AP" and "obtaining IP settings" steps of the 4-step connect procedure went from red X's to green checks, but the problem persisted. Using the IBM Update Connector (v6.10) the package "Access Connections plus Wireless LAN driver pack 3.21" will not install. It grinds for a few minutes, then errors out. I think this is because the wireless driver, Access Connections, or both are a lower version number than the ones currently installed.
The BIOS is at 1.13 and has NOT been updated to 1.43, the latest. There were no updates for my specific wireless card and the machine could connect to the wireless networks in question before SP2 was applied. DO NOT try to install all (~11) the updates from IBM Update Connector at once. It tried to apply a BIOS update during a restart which errored out, only half the updates installed successfully and the quick launch toolbar was turned off after the reboot.
Firewall
Testing was done by exiting Kerio Personal Firewall after startup and then turning off the Windows firewall from the security center.
Windows Settings
IP is set for DHCP (obtain IP/DNS server address automatically)
Wireless Zero Configuration service is running
Windows TCP/IP / LSP stack repair.
I have run AdAware on this machine, but all it found (and removed) were some cookies. In any case, I am desparate at this point and tried running this program (http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html) which did not fix the problem. Supposedly incomplete sypware removal can damage the stack, but I don't think this is the case
Packet Capture
Haven't tried this, but curious. Install Ethereal, see what a DHCP session on the wired LAN interface looks like and then the same on the wireless interface. There might be an error message in there.
Other information: Laptop is type 2382-1GU
What silly little setting that I am missing here? Any help is appreciated, although I won't be able to get at the machine for another 10 days (thanksgiving family tech-support). Thanks.
-Carl
Summary -everything else works, but no default gateway is assigned, so no internet.
I installed Service Pack 2 in order to get the improved wireless security features (WPA) for my home network. Everything works on the home network with WPA. The problem is that the machine has not worked on any other wireless networks since then. The radio works fine, accurately reporting signal strength, network name and settings (e.g. encryption-disabled), the same as another laptop sitting next to it. Using 'ipconfig /all' I see that it picks up a (non-autoconfigure) IP, subnet mask & IP addresses for DHCP and DNS servers, but *nothing* appears in the default gateway field. Strangely, I could ping the DNS, but not the DHCP server. Here are some of the things that I have checked out:
Drivers
The Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI adapter is at driver version 1.2.3.14, the latest. There is an issue with the dates. Windows Device Manager reports the date as 7/28/04 whereas the IBM site for the X40 (http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-54078) reads 25 Oct 2004 and the individual driver download page reads 11/11/2004. I uninstalled the wireless card in the Device Manager and reinstalled with the 11/11/2004 download, but the date stayed at 7/28
Software Control
Both the IBM's and Microsoft's software do the same thing (no default gateway). I cannot figure out how to turn off IBM's software, so I have been mostly using that for testing, unchecking the "Use windows to configure my wireless network settings" box.
Software Updates:
All Critical and Hardware Windows Updates have been applied. I have updated all of IBMs software through their Update Connector or by downloading the packages manually. Most important would be the Access Connections, which is at 3.53. I cannot figure out how get the version on the radio software and the "Modify WLAN settings" box is always grayed out. When that program was updated the "Connecting to AP" and "obtaining IP settings" steps of the 4-step connect procedure went from red X's to green checks, but the problem persisted. Using the IBM Update Connector (v6.10) the package "Access Connections plus Wireless LAN driver pack 3.21" will not install. It grinds for a few minutes, then errors out. I think this is because the wireless driver, Access Connections, or both are a lower version number than the ones currently installed.
The BIOS is at 1.13 and has NOT been updated to 1.43, the latest. There were no updates for my specific wireless card and the machine could connect to the wireless networks in question before SP2 was applied. DO NOT try to install all (~11) the updates from IBM Update Connector at once. It tried to apply a BIOS update during a restart which errored out, only half the updates installed successfully and the quick launch toolbar was turned off after the reboot.
Firewall
Testing was done by exiting Kerio Personal Firewall after startup and then turning off the Windows firewall from the security center.
Windows Settings
IP is set for DHCP (obtain IP/DNS server address automatically)
Wireless Zero Configuration service is running
Windows TCP/IP / LSP stack repair.
I have run AdAware on this machine, but all it found (and removed) were some cookies. In any case, I am desparate at this point and tried running this program (http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html) which did not fix the problem. Supposedly incomplete sypware removal can damage the stack, but I don't think this is the case
Packet Capture
Haven't tried this, but curious. Install Ethereal, see what a DHCP session on the wired LAN interface looks like and then the same on the wireless interface. There might be an error message in there.
Other information: Laptop is type 2382-1GU
What silly little setting that I am missing here? Any help is appreciated, although I won't be able to get at the machine for another 10 days (thanksgiving family tech-support). Thanks.
-Carl