Why wireless connection needs refresh (every 5 minutes) ?

[Barb Bowman [MVP-Windows]]

from one of my columns (
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/columns/bowman/02september09.asp
)

Windows XP SP1 also changes the default behavior of the 802.1x
authentication setting when used on wireless networks. When this
setting was enabled before applying SP1, if no authentication server
was found, the setting was ignored and a persistent connection could
be obtained. Stricter enforcement under SP1 prevents attaching to a
rogue access point. If 802.1x authentication (which must be used with
WEP) is enabled under SP1, if no authentication packet is received
after three minutes, the connection will be dropped. During the
installation of SP1, any settings enabling 802.1x authentication for
wireless connections will be removed. If you find that you lose your
connection every three minutes, authentication may be enabled on a
network that does not have authentication servers. Verify that 802.1x
authentication is turned off if your network has no authentication
server by following these steps:

 

[Orak Listalavostok]

I haven't seen this much frustration vented since DOS 4 came out. 8)
I keep an old (very dented) wastebasket handy for this. It helps.

All I have is uncompromising plastic. It won't 'dent' and 'clang' the
right way like a real good 1960's style schoolroom wastecan does when
I punch & pound on it in sheer wireless networking frustration.

Seriously though, I've been on my wireless connection for two days now
with that lousy 802.1x network authentication turned off. Not one
dropped wireless connection (IBM customer support notwithstanding)!

I can't believe (what appears to be) the default network authentication

setting caused me so much grief. I don't know how or why unchecking it
works, but I'm really glad I met you wonderful guys on this here Internet!

Orak

 

[JHEM]

I can assume that Orak is referencing a NEW thinkpad, as I know that
ibm is doing some new stuff around wireless security, so im sure the
'jist' of what they are saying is correct..

I wasn't questioning the veracity of the statements by either Ellen or Orak
as I certainly believe they're having problems. My doubt pertained to the
statement by IBM support that the dropouts were "normal".

Glad to see that everyone has sorted the problem introduced by the latest XP
"upgrade".

Regards,

James

 

[Guest]

I checked and my system has the IEEE 802.1x unchecked, but I still have the same problem. I have 2 USR-8054 routers at different locations in the house but I keep getting disconnected then reconnected. I did notice that as it switched from disconnected to connected a setting would come up in the network connections window showing a gateway connection. It won't let me delete it or remove it. I have tried to disable or enable it but it doesn't seem to matter. What's my next step to try. The network card is the pcmcia USR high proformance card


----- Marc Reynolds [MSFT] wrote: ----

Try unchecking "Use IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network" on th
properties of the wireless connection


--

Thanks
Marc Reynold
Microsoft Technical Suppor

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights