SP2 - Connect to Wireless Network fails

From: Kevin (Kevin_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 10/04/04 

Date: Mon, 4 Oct 2004 15:01:03 -0700

Installed SP2 on a brand new computer and lost my wireless connection. I
rolled back to SP1 to achieve functionality, but would like to run SP2
successfully.

Here are the full details:
1. Purchased brand new Dell Dimension 8400 with Windows XP Home Edition.
2. Installed Linksys Wireless A+G PCI Adapter (WMP55AG).
3. Able to connect to my wireless network and internet without any problem.
4. Installed WinXP Pro Upgrade from shrink-wrap.
5. Able to connect to wireless network and internet with no problem.
6. Installed WinXP Service Pack 2
    a. System blue-screen early in installation process: Msg:
“DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL”
    b. Continued SP2 installation until successful.
7. After reboot, unable to connect to wireless network.
8. Able to “see” wireless network, but attempts to connect to network
result in failure both with and without error messages.
a. Error message occasionally appears: “Unable to connect to network.
Network may no longer be in range. Refresh available networks list and try
again.”
9. Spent 1.5 hours on telephone with Linksys tech support attempting to
resolve issues. Unresolved.
10. Used System Restore to take computer back to WinXP Service Pack 1.
11. Able to connect to wireless network and internet with no problem.
12. Submitted help request via Microsoft online tech support.
      a. Tech support sent link to hotfix (KB 884020).
      b. Saved hotfix to hard drive.
14. Re-installed XP Service Pack 2.
     a. Once again, system blue-screen early in installation process.
          i. Msg: “DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL”
         ii. Continued SP2 installation until successful.
15. After reboot, still unable to connect to wireless network or internet.
16. Installed hotfix. Rebooted.
17. Still unable to connect to wireless network or internet.
      a. Same as above: can “see” but not connect to wireless network.
      b. Attempt to connect to network eventually fails with no error message.
          i. Connection dialog box eventually just disappears. No network
connection made.

Other diagnostic notes:
• Router is Linksys WRT54G 802.11g.
• System is located approximately 30-40 feet from wireless router:
      - 15-25 feet horizontal, 15 feet vertical (router is upstairs, PC is
downstairs).
• Distance from router is not likely the problem based on:
      - Able to connect PC to network under XP/SP1.
      - Able to connect ThinkPad with Linksys Wireless PCMCIA card and
XP/SP1 to network from same location.
      - Able to connect HP iPaq 4450 Pocket PC with integrated wireless to
network from same location.
      - Unable to connect Toshiba M200 Tablet PC with integrated wireless
and WinXP/SP2 to wireless network.
            - Behavior of attempted connection is the same as for the Dell
PC – able to “see” the wireless network but not connect.
            - Have not attempted to install hotfix on Toshiba Tablet PC.
            - Had been able to connect Tablet PC to my wireless network in
the past when running XP/SP1.

Suggestions?

- Kevin

Relevant Pages

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