Windows Zero Config query.

My USB Wi-Fi dongle comes with a wireless LAN
config tool. It won't open saying "Wireless LAN
is controlled by Windows Zero Configuration".

I get occasional dropouts and I believe the
config tool gives some form of signal strength
info, and offers some options.

How do I get signal strength info, error rate,
and get the equivalent config screen under WinXP
Zero Config.

It's a cheapest of the cheapest Chinese dongle
and came with a Chinese CD so was a pain in
the butt to install, as WinXP doesn't follow
folder paths in Chinese characters. I'd like
to see how it is performing before considering
a Belkin (or at least branded) dongle.

You'd be far better using something like Net Stumbler
(http://www.netstumbler.com/) to see how your card is performing. You can
get into the wireless zero config normally by double clicking the wireless
network icon in the systray down by the clock.

--
Colin
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On Tue, 22 Nov 2005, (E-Mail Removed) wrote:

> My USB Wi-Fi dongle comes with a wireless LAN
> config tool. It won't open saying "Wireless LAN
> is controlled by Windows Zero Configuration".

Yes, your wireless card has to be controlled by one or the other:
it can't be controlled by both at once.

Usually there is some way for the vendor's own software to take
control away from Windows, at least my RaLinkTech can do this, and
their control panel gives better control over the device.

The same goes for a couple of other wireless devices I have used.
Unfortunately, this means I've now got several different
vendor-supplied control panels for wireless, and some of them seem
rather keen to get in on the act even when their own card isn't
loaded.

If your vendor control panel doesn't have the option to take control
from Windows, I'm pretty sure there is some way to turn off Windoze's
"zero configuration" itself (sorry, I don't have the details at my
fingertips, but I'm pretty sure it can be done).

> I get occasional dropouts and I believe the
> config tool gives some form of signal strength
> info, and offers some options.

Highly plausible, based on what I have seen with those other vendors.

Good luck

Go to the Control Panel / Network Connections / right click on your WiFi
connection / select properties / select Wireless Network tab.
Right on the top there is a check box:
'Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings'
Just unclick that, and see what your Chinese marvel has to say !
Regards,
Martin

> ...before considering a Belkin (or at least branded) dongle

I had my first experience of wireless in the last couple of weeks, and
it centred around a Belkin USB dongle.

They've changed the hardware in the fookers, and the driver they ship
with them doesn't work.

'Nuff said.

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