Fixed Wireless and Windows XP SP-2

Has anyone here using fixed wireless Internet upgraded their XP systems to
SP-2? I've read that SP-2 considerably reworks the wireless settings in XP.
Additionally, my Cisco Aironet 350 LAN adapter card and drivers are somewhat
unstable with XP, esp. when upgrading drivers. Perhaps the SP-2 upgrade
will freeze my system solid. Any comments would be appreciated.

EW

"EW" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:(E-Mail Removed):

>
> Has anyone here using fixed wireless Internet upgraded their XP
> systems to SP-2? I've read that SP-2 considerably reworks the
> wireless settings in XP. Additionally, my Cisco Aironet 350 LAN
> adapter card and drivers are somewhat unstable with XP, esp. when
> upgrading drivers. Perhaps the SP-2 upgrade will freeze my system
> solid. Any comments would be appreciated.
>
> EW
>
>
>
>

If you're using the Wireless Zero Configuration Service, then disable it
as it makes things unstable.

You can download and install the driver and install and configure the NIC
using the Device Manager.

You should not install or use the card's utility to do anything, which
makes things unstable.

You can show signal strength by enabling *Show Network Connection* in the
NIC's LAN Properties page, which shows the signal strength by doing a
mouse over on the icon that shows in the job tray.

That made the connection stable on XP Pro using SP1 and it has stayed the
same with SP2.

Duane

Duane, thanks for the reply.....

Sorry, but I have to ask. What is the "Wireless Zero Configuration Service"
and where do I find it (to see if it's disabled, or not). I don't
understand this at all.

Right now I have a stable setup, and I'm hesitant to touch anything.
Perhaps SP-2 will not affect it. But I'm still curious about the zero
config svs. I've looked everywhere. Please advise. Thanks.

EW


"Duane Arnold" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:Xns9562AEF144AF2NotMeNotmecom@63.240.76.16...
> "EW" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> news:(E-Mail Removed):
>
> >
> > Has anyone here using fixed wireless Internet upgraded their XP
> > systems to SP-2? I've read that SP-2 considerably reworks the
> > wireless settings in XP. Additionally, my Cisco Aironet 350 LAN
> > adapter card and drivers are somewhat unstable with XP, esp. when
> > upgrading drivers. Perhaps the SP-2 upgrade will freeze my system
> > solid. Any comments would be appreciated.
> >
> > EW
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> If you're using the Wireless Zero Configuration Service, then disable it
> as it makes things unstable.
>
> You can download and install the driver and install and configure the NIC
> using the Device Manager.
>
> You should not install or use the card's utility to do anything, which
> makes things unstable.
>
> You can show signal strength by enabling *Show Network Connection* in the
> NIC's LAN Properties page, which shows the signal strength by doing a
> mouse over on the icon that shows in the job tray.
>
> That made the connection stable on XP Pro using SP1 and it has stayed the
> same with SP2.
>
> Duane
>
>

"EW" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:(E-Mail Removed):

> Duane, thanks for the reply.....
>
> Sorry, but I have to ask. What is the "Wireless Zero Configuration
> Service" and where do I find it (to see if it's disabled, or not). I
> don't understand this at all.
>
> Right now I have a stable setup, and I'm hesitant to touch anything.
> Perhaps SP-2 will not affect it. But I'm still curious about the zero
> config svs. I've looked everywhere. Please advise. Thanks.
>

Start Button/Control Panel/Perform & Maint/Admin Tools/Services and you'll
see the WZC service.

Duane

>> If you're using the Wireless Zero Configuration Service, then disable it
as it makes things unstable.

Duane:

Not necessarily.
I have setup several WiFi systems using WZC without any problems.

"CZ" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:s571d.19600$(E-Mail Removed) om:

>>> If you're using the Wireless Zero Configuration Service, then
>>> disable it
> as it makes things unstable.
>
> Duane:
>
> Not necessarily.
> I have setup several WiFi systems using WZC without any problems.
>
>
>

That's you. My experience with WZC has been nothing but a PITA and caused
my setup nothing but problems as it sought out other networks in the area
and tried to connect dropping my connection. I don't need WZC in a home
environment as I am not roaming anywhere looking to connect to any other
network other than my own. Therefore, it is not enabled on any of my
machines and it will never be enabled. In addition to that, it should be
disabled on the XP machine that has no wireless connection as it can be
used to make a phone call home because of its use of NDIS UserMode I/O
Protocol and RPC Dependencies, which a user I helped was complaining about
NDIS being used by malware to make the phone call and he had no wireless
setup.

Duane

Taking a moment's reflection, Duane Arnold mused:
|
| That's you. My experience with WZC has been nothing but a PITA and caused
| my setup nothing but problems as it sought out other networks in the area
| and tried to connect dropping my connection.

I don't have my laptop in front of me ATM, but I believe you can set it
to only try to connect to specific (Preferred) networks ... thus avoiding
the problem you describe. I have three other networks in my nieghbourhood,
and it always stays connected to mine.

"mhicaoidh" <®êmõvé_mhic_aoidh@hotÑîXmailŠPäM.com> wrote in
news:tM81d.34135$MQ5.15496@attbi_s52:

> Taking a moment's reflection, Duane Arnold mused:
>|
>| That's you. My experience with WZC has been nothing but a PITA and
>| caused my setup nothing but problems as it sought out other networks
>| in the area and tried to connect dropping my connection.
>
> I don't have my laptop in front of me ATM, but I believe you can
> set it
> to only try to connect to specific (Preferred) networks ... thus
> avoiding the problem you describe. I have three other networks in my
> nieghbourhood, and it always stays connected to mine.
>
>
>

Yes, I have heard of that setting. I had some other issues that may not be
attributed to WZC; like settings on the card not holding when done with its
utility. So, I just go to Device Manager and config the thing and it holds.
I have been running with this current setup for over a year with XP.

The old saying is if it's not broke don't fix it. ;-)

Duane

Duane:

>> My experience with WZC has been nothing but a PITA and caused
my setup nothing but problems as it sought out other networks in the area
and tried to connect dropping my connection.

If you have a unique SSID as the only Preferred Network, that should not
happen.

Taking a moment's reflection, Duane Arnold mused:
|
| Yes, I have heard of that setting. I had some other issues that may not be
| attributed to WZC; like settings on the card not holding when done with
| its utility. So, I just go to Device Manager and config the thing and it
| holds. I have been running with this current setup for over a year with
| XP.

I know that if the WZC service is running, and the card's driver utility
is also running ... there can be issues with them fighting for control of
the card.

| The old saying is if it's not broke don't fix it.

Wish I'd listen to that saying more often. ;-)