How can I ask metafilter when I can't access metafilter?

May 23, 2006 4:16 PM

Do I have a driver issue? I need to start 'Wireless Zero Configuration' on my Dell after each boot to access any wireless networks.

Dell Latitude D600, about 18 months old. I use a Dell Truemobile 1300 WLAN card. Not really knowing what I was doing (I am not computer genius), I updated the BIOS and my drivers from the Dell website. I downloaded BIOS A16, and the latest TrueMobile 1300 driver.

The computer runs perfectly fine once I've started "Wireless Zero Configuration" and then gone to wireless connections-->properties-->wireless networks and tic'd the the "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings." But I have to do this every time my computer boots up, and I never had to before. I've tried to install older versions of the wireless driver, but the Dell website won't let me.

I am fairly technically challenged when it comes to computers. I am probably asking a stupid, simple question. But can anyone help me?

Also, I seem to have misplaced my original driver cd on a transatlantic move, so I can't revert back to those.

posted by scarylarry to computers & internet (7 comments total)

Settings -> Control Panel -Administrative Tools -> Services

Scroll to Wireless Zero Configuration Service, Right Click, Select Properties from the Drop Down Menu.

On the first tab from the drop down menu select: Startup type: "Automatic"

This will make WZCS start at boot...

If that no workie, let me know.
posted by iamabot at 4:30 PM on May 23, 2006

By any chance, do you have iPass installed on your computer? My company uses iPass for our remote connectivity and by default it stops the Wireless Zero Configuration service when it starts up. (On the slim chance that this is your problem, I would recommend removing the iPass shortcut from the Startup folder of your start menu, as there's no need for it to start every time you start Windows.)
posted by llamateur at 4:57 PM on May 23, 2006

I also updated recently (and followed instructions just like iamabot's), and I had a problem where Dell's software was killing startup of WZCS, and undoing all my selections of "Automatic."

Start > Programs > Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utiltity > Uncheck "Let this stupid thing manage your wireless networks."
posted by steef at 5:28 PM on May 23, 2006

steef, I've taken your advice, but I'll need to reboot to see if it works (currently in the middle of a project that I shouldn't close). I bet this is the fix, though!

iamabot, I DO click 'automatic,' but I have the problem that steef described.

Thanks everyone, I'll post when I know.
posted by scarylarry at 6:33 PM on May 23, 2006

worked like a charm.
posted by scarylarry at 8:08 PM on May 23, 2006

Excellent, most manufacturers these days don't ship their own blend of wireless management...if they do as long as you turn it off as the other posters noted you're fine.
posted by iamabot at 10:10 PM on May 23, 2006

Glad that worked. Took me forever to figure it out on my own. Yay!
posted by steef at 6:28 AM on May 24, 2006