Ralf B. Lukner wrote:
>
> "Malke" wrote:
>
>> Ralf B. Lukner wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Malke,
>>>
>>> Yes, I tried both of those (IBM wireless management software and Windows).
>>> Yes, I have XP SP2 (latest update including all required service packs).
>>>> Ralf B. Lukner wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I'm using a IBM Thinkpad T42 and I am encountering the following issue
>>>>> connecting with the onboard Wireless adapter (11a/b/g Wireless LAN
>>>>> MiniPCI Adapter running a driver from Atheros Communications, Inc., v
>>>>> 4.1.102.133).
>>>>> Windows says this device is working properly. I'm able to see wireless
>>>>> networks, and when I attempt to connect, the initial connection seems
>>>>> to work, but then it fails when obtaining an IP address from a Motorola
>>>>> SBG900.
>>>>>
>>>>> The wireless network is unsecured and another laptop is able to connect
>>>>> without any issues. Also, if I make a wired LAN connection to the same
>>>>> Moto
>>>>> router, it obtains an IP without incident. I spoke with Lenovo
>>>>> (formerly IBM) support, who referred me to PVT, which handles the
>>>>> wireless
>>>>> troubleshooting. They walked me through some tests that confirmed that
>>>>> the
>>>>> hardware is ok and all drivers are current. They said they are not
>>>>> able to
>>>>> troubleshoot non-trivial software issue. PVT's solution on behalf of
>>>>> Lenovo
>>>>> is basically to reinstall Windows XP. I'm wondering if there is
>>>>> another
>>>>> solution that is less time consuming. Any help would be appreciated.
>>>> I'm sure you've tried this, but are you using the IBM wireless management
>>>> software or the built-in Windows one? Do you have XP SP2?
>> Check your Gateway/DNS settings. Go to the Local Area Network and
>> right-click on your wireless adapter to get its Properties. Then find the
>> TCP/IP settings in the "box" and get its Properties. Ideally, both IP and
>> DNS will be set to "automatic". If it isn't, please do that and then see if
>> that works.
>
> Checked. Everything is "automatic" as it should be.
>
>> If they are already set to automatic and you still can't get DNS:
>>
>> Start>Run>cmd [enter]
>> ipconfig /release [enter]
>> ipconfig /flushdns [enter]
>> ipconfig /renew [enter]
>
> Tried that. Still cannot get an IP address on wireless.
>
>> Now try. If it works, great. If not, for now set the gateway to the router
>> address and the DNS to the whatever is working on the other computers. You
>> can see the DNS settings on the working computers by doing (on them):
>>
>> Start>Run>cmd [enter]
>> ipconfig /all [enter]
>
> Tried this and the wireless adapter was not able to connect (unlike another
> laptop I have -- a Dell).
>
>> This last isn't ideal because these settings would be different on different
>> networks when you travel with the laptop, but it would be good to just get
>> this one working now.
>>
>> Report back after troubleshooting.
>>
>
> Thanks for the suggestions, but they did not work.
>
> Sincerely,
> --Ralf
>
>> Malke
>> --
>> MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
>> Elephant Boy Computers
>> www.elephantboycomputers.com
>> "Don't Panic"
>>
A long shot, which you've probably tried: you said that the network was
unsecured. Is it possible that the network connection on the laptop
somehow became associated with an encryption setting? By now, the SSID
of the moto router is probably in the list of "preferred networks" on
the wireless network connection properties page. "Remove" it and then
try to connect again from the "view wireless networks" screen.
Assuming that doesn't work, can you connect with this laptop to any
other wifi network? If you're in the U.S., there's probably a Starbucks
or McDonalds nearby that has a wifi hotspot. (MickeyD has them in some
European countries as well). If you can't connect to ANY wifi network,
I'd go with there being a problem with the onboard wifi adapter and/or
driver, regardless of what PVT said.
If I were you, I'd buy an external wifi adapter (either USB or PCMCIA)
and see if that worked; it's up to you to decide how much to spend
compared to your time involved in a "clean re-install" (which might not
even be a solution), but I'd go with a brand name device rather than
buying the cheapest one available. If you do install an external
adapter, remember to disable the onboard one.