Windows XP SP3 kills my wireless connection

[BoB]

I installed XP3 and lost my wireless connection.
I could not get my wireless working again, so I uninstalled XP3.
My wireless worked again when I rebooted.

Must I choose between XP3 or a working wireless connection?

I checked out MS for updates needed and there is about 100 required.

I use Firefox and Agent so do not use IE or Outlook Express.
An internet connection is more important to me than the security
aspect.

If I install the 100 or so updates, will I again lose my wireless
connecton?

TIA,

BoB

[Shenan Stanley]

Have you updated the wireless card's hardware device drivers from the
manufacturer's web page to the latest version? Sounds like that could be
your problem.

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Are you currently running WinXP SP2 and haven't updated in years? Have you
recently had occasion to reinstall Windows? If so, why and how did you do
it?

The above notwithstanding...

Device Manager and Network Connections may be blank after you install
Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953791

Device Manager may not show any devices and Network Connections may not show
any network connections after you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953979

A Windows XP SP3-based computer loses wireless connectivity when it resumes
from standby or from hibernation, or you receive an error message when you
try to put the computer in standby or in hibernation:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951447

Windows XP SP3-based client computers cannot access the network when some
DHCP information is unavailable
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953761

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx

The free unlimited installation and compatibility support for WinXP SP3 has
been extended (but certainly not indefinitely) beyond the original 14 April
2009 cut-off date. Open your browser to
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select
Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3

[Goshute]

Windows MCE, Dell XPS m140, ZoneAlarm free, Avast free, SuperAntispyware free, Malwarebytes and Spybot updated and run three days ago. I have all updates through a couple days ago, verified by Secunia online scan. Windows update installed something today, May 10, 2009. The update doesn't show on Control Panel | Add/Remove |Change/Remove | Show Updates checked (makes it hard to roll back). KB 923561 is the last update showing, installed 4/16. My wireless connection is also dead, no connections are listed.

Tried to reset and restart it through the Wireless Zero Config (%systemroot%\system32\services msc /s), and tried KB 953791 without success. Wireless Connection Repair doesn't work - it gets to the "Connecting to wireless network" dialog, sticks there a while, then reports "Windows could not finish repairing the problem because the following action could not be completed: Connecting to the wireless network. For assistance contact the person who manages your network."

This is a home DSL wireless network. Shut down and restarted the DSL, it doesn't work. The machine I'm sending this on is wirelessly connected to the same network.

Any more ideas?

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

To avoid confusion, please begin a new thread about your specific problems
(instead of hijacking someone else's thread). State your IE version and
full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; Vista SP2) in your first post.

[Goshute]

I have solved the problem by going into the Intel Proset Wireless Connection Utility. It appears that I have lost all my WiFi network history and WEP passkeys.

Re all comments to Goshute (I sound very contrary, don't I? That is not my intent):

>To avoid confusion, please begin a new thread about your specific problems
> (instead of hijacking someone else's thread).

Pardon me, I understand about hijacking, but it seemed that my issue was closely related to OP BoBs in terms of timing and outcome, so I thought it would reduce thread redundancy.

> State your IE version and full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; Vista SP2) in your first post.

Will do, though the IE version doesn't seem to have much relevance on a machine that has lost its wireless connection. (Browsers in use are IE 8.0.6001.18702 and FF 3.0.10). Doesn't "Windows MCE updated through two days ago" provide the OS specs?

> did you download and install the latest version of said driver and utility from Intel yet?

It wasn't necessary to resolve my problem, but I have - the version is now at 12.4.0.0.

BoB, though I'm new to the Forum, may I offer some specific advice.

Is a Netgear device the wireless device installed in the PC which lost it's wireless connection? You should be able to identify the wifi device in that PC via Start | Control Panel | System | Hardware | Device Manager | Network Adapters. Search the manufacturers website for driver and installation update downloads, and install them.

As a word of general advice, for security reasons you should at least keep your OS, Firewall, Antivirus, Malware manager, and Browser updated with all updates. Things like MEBRoot and Torpig are scary.

[Shenan Stanley]

And did you download and install the latest version of said driver and
utility from Intel yet?
Something like 12.4...

[BoB]

The Netgear site indicates dozens of versions including mine.
I DL'd an applicable zip file but haven't the guts to do
anything with it.

Two decades as a windows user, but haven't learned much as
I never re-installed windows before. The best price I got was
$180 to perform a windows re-install, half the price of the computer
so I did it myself. I have XP2 working but can't get it updated any
further without losing my internet connecton, which is unacceptable.

At 72, I've decided to let well enough alone as I've been unable
to locate anyone locally who knows WindowsXP, Cox, Dell and Netgear.
I need someone knowledgable on all aspects to ever improve this
situation.

[BoB]

Running 2 WinxP's. The hardwired one is SP3. The wireless connected
one is SP2.

I paid $80 for a shop to analyze the wireless connected computer and
they said Windows is buggered and must be reloaded. Their price was
$180 to reload windows.

I re-installed windows myself, first time in 20 years, and it is now
OK and running SP2. Adding SP3 however kills my wireless connection
and have found no one locally with the combined knowledge of windows.
Netgear wireless etc.

I looked at the hotfixes etc listed below but don't want to risk
trying them.

Secunia says I need 93 KBs to get updated. I fear one of
those might kill my wireless just like SP3 did. If I knew which KB
to NOT download I might try it.

Since I'm 72, I'm going to let well enough alone.

Thanks for your information and time.

[Jim]

You are too young to be using the age card...
By the way, SP3 had no effect on my wireless configurations.
So, I suspect that SP3 merely revealed the OS problems.
Jim ( who will be 79 in 11 days, but who never uses age as an excuse)
<snip>

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Would you ignore a product recall for your 2007 automobile due to fears that
the fix might cause a problem? Would you ignore the recall of a
contaminated food product due to fears that another food item might make you
sick, too?

For you consideration:

1. A machine that is not fully patched is NOT safe to use and should NOT be
connected to the internet or any networks.

2. No Charge Support for all critical security updates and for WinXP SP3 is
available 24/7, /should/ the need arise (doubtful).

3. No-Charge Support for WinXP SP3 installation and compatibility issues was
scheduled to end on 14 April 2009 but has been extended...but this extension
is NOT going to be indefinite.

4. If WinXP SP3 isn't installed by July 2010, your computer will NOT be
offered any further critical security updates.

All you need is the driver for the wireless card in your laptop/desktop PC.
That's it. Nothing more, nothing scarey.

I keep everything updated daily. Only my OS, due to SP3 is giving
me any problems.

[BoB]

No. I'm watching for recall info on my 2008 Subaru purchased last
month. :-)

Which why I'm trying to get SP3 installed and still have an internet
connection.

I had no problem with SP3 itself or operation of windows. I'll
probably end up paying someone for support to get my wireless
working, which is what I was trying to avoid.

A fully updated computer is nearly worthless to me if I cannot access
the internet.

I have DL'd the entire setup program for my wireless from Netgear.
I'll install SP3 again, then install the wireless.

Thanx for your info and help.