Wireless WiFi Connection Utility

[JimL]

I just got a refurbished ThinkPad T60P from Lenovo with XP Pro SP3
preloaded. I'm attempting to get the wireless to working with a Linksys.

At several points, including boot-up, I get a box entitled:

"Intel R Configuration Service," saying
-----------------------------------------------------
"Another wireless utility is communicating with the Intel R PRO/Wireless
WiFi adapter.
To avoid conflicts, profile management features have been temporarily
disabled.

To switch back to the Intel R PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software and your
existing profiles, disable the other wireless utility, click on the Intel R
PROSet/Wireless Connection Utility icon in your taskbar and select "Enable
WiFi Control".
-----------------------------------------------------

Here as at several places in the networking apparatus I find such
explanations far short of explaining things.

For instance I keep seeing references to Access Points. Why do they assume
everybody knows what Access Points are? I tried turning on a wireless
connection and was asked for a "Device owners password" or something like
that. I looked it up. The instructions said to find it and enter it.
Huge, HUGE help!

In the above:

1. I know nothing about a "wireless utility" let alone "ANOTHER wireless
utility.
2. I know nothing about profiles.
3. Disable the other wireless utility???
4. There is no icon on my taskbar named, "Intel R PROSet/Wireless Connection
Utility." I'm guessing it has a shorter name of some kind. Why do they
assume a person would know what such a shorter name would be. Maybe it has
a name that all networking gurus know about? Or maybe it is identifyable by
its appearance. How would anyone know about that?

I don't know how any utility got involved. I see icons having to do with
ThinkVantage. I don't know what ThinkVantage is. Maybe that is the Other
Wireless Utility?

Surely someone thinks this is all child's play. Well it may be, but it
looks clear as mud to me as an uninitiated one. I'd appreciate any help on
making this wireless connection work.

 

[Roger]

Search here:
http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/support
and search/ask here:
http://forums.linksysbycisco.com/linksys/board?board.id=Wireless_Routers

 

[JimL]

If I may be so bold, why?

I'm getting an XP error about the Thinkpad's internal Intel WiFi's
conflicting setup programs. Also the term Device Ownership Password is not
a Linksys term. Why look to Linksys?

 

[smlunatick]

If I may be so bold, why?

I'm getting an XP error about the Thinkpad's internal Intel WiFi's
conflicting setup programs.  Also the term Device Ownership Password isnot
a Linksys term.  Why look to Linksys?

You had mentioned Linksys, which can be a wireless adapter or / and a
router.

As for the Connectivity tools, you can have two softwares installed on
your Windows XP: Microsoft's Wireless Zero Configuration and Intel
ProSet Wireless. However only one tool can be used to manage the
wireless network settings for the Intel wifi card. Access the
Services "options" from the Control Panel "Administrative Tools"
applet and turn off the Wireless Zero Configuration. This will let
you to access the Intel ProSet wireless tools.

 

[JimL]

Thanks. I found an extra utility in add/remove and unstalled it. That
fixed it. I guess merely installing such a utility makes it permanently
connected, which doesn'tmake much sense to me. Most utilities I've seen
only work when you call them.

If I may be so bold, why?

I'm getting an XP error about the Thinkpad's internal Intel WiFi's
conflicting setup programs. Also the term Device Ownership Password is not
a Linksys term. Why look to Linksys?

You had mentioned Linksys, which can be a wireless adapter or / and a
router.

As for the Connectivity tools, you can have two softwares installed on
your Windows XP: Microsoft's Wireless Zero Configuration and Intel
ProSet Wireless. However only one tool can be used to manage the
wireless network settings for the Intel wifi card. Access the
Services "options" from the Control Panel "Administrative Tools"
applet and turn off the Wireless Zero Configuration. This will let
you to access the Intel ProSet wireless tools.

 

[smlunatick]

Thanks.  I found an extra utility in add/remove and unstalled it.  That
fixed it.  I guess merely installing such a utility makes it permanently
connected, which doesn'tmake much sense to me.  Most utilities I've seen
only work when you call them.






You had mentioned Linksys, which can be a wireless adapter or / and a
router.

As for the Connectivity tools, you can have two softwares installed on
your Windows XP: Microsoft's Wireless Zero Configuration and Intel
ProSet Wireless.  However only one tool can be used to manage the
wireless network settings for the Intel wifi card.  Access the
Services "options" from the Control Panel "Administrative Tools"
applet and turn off the Wireless Zero Configuration.  This will let
you to access the Intel ProSet wireless tools.

It should be noted that some utilities will install themselves into
the automatic startup "sections" of the registry or the Program Groups.

 

[JimL]

It should be noted that some utilities will install themselves into
the automatic startup "sections" of the registry or the Program Groups.

So right. Even though I've known that for years it still takes me by
surprise when a supposedly good company forces their stuff down your throat.
I guess there are no good big companies left. They're all big companies
with small people running them.

 

[smlunatick]

So right.  Even though I've known that for years it still takes me by
surprise when a supposedly good company forces their stuff down your throat.
I guess there are no good big companies left.  They're all big companies
with small people running them.

Most "large" OEMs (Dell, HP, IBM --> Lenovo) all assume that the
individual users are not that "computer savvy" and in general will
force their own tools on. And when XP SP2 originally came out, MS
"forced" their own Wireless Zero Configuration tool on.