Wireless Issues after imaging hard drive
I have a strange issue that I could really use some help with. I have a client that uses Fujitsu T4220 tablet PCs for a mobile workforce. These tablets use some custom applications that work only with Windows XP. The Application Provider provided me with a Disk Image to be used whenever we get in new tablets or have problems with one of the existing tablets. If there is a problem, Virus or corrupted Windows, I simply re-image the drive and the tablet is back in service in about 10 minutes. Up until now this has worked very well. However, we recently purchased a few new Fujitsus T4220 and even though they have the same model number these new units came with Windows Vista, more memory and faster processor. When I image these units with my XP image, everything works perfectly except for the Wireless. It finds the wireless network, tries to connect and then after a minute or two it comes back as a limited connection. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the WiFi Card, downloaded new drivers. Using Balarc advisor shows all the tablets have the same motherboard and the same Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN adapter. The only difference between the tablets that work and the tablets that are giving me trouble is:
NEW Talbets OLD Tablets
T7500 CPU T7250 CPU
1 gig Ram 512 Ram
Bluetooth No Bluetooth
Any suggestions would be helpful?
NEW Talbets OLD Tablets
T7500 CPU T7250 CPU
1 gig Ram 512 Ram
Bluetooth No Bluetooth
Any suggestions would be helpful?
The Microsoft help say that this error can be misleading, so check first to ensure the devices don't have connectivity.
By mobile, do you mean mobile across different ISPs (like a salesforce), or mobile as in warehouse workers? If it's the latter, you control the wireless network and there are a few things to check to be sure they don't get lost in the re-image (even though they shouldn't).
1. Are you using and if so have you checked WEP,WPA,WPA/2 settings
2. Is there anything in your setup (DHCP reserved addresses, firewalls, etc.) that might be tied to MAC addresses
3. Are there any restrictions in your environment that might preclude the use of 802.1b/g (ie. interference) and require the use of 802.1a, which may not be the default.
There are some reports of Bluetooth/Wifi interference, since they both operate in the same frequency. Switching to 802.1a solves this, but if your APs don't support, try turning off the Bluetooth. If the mobile force is the saleforce type and they're using public wifi hotspots a lot, you will probably have some difficulty finding 802.1a, so disabling Bluetooth would be the only option.
By mobile, do you mean mobile across different ISPs (like a salesforce), or mobile as in warehouse workers? If it's the latter, you control the wireless network and there are a few things to check to be sure they don't get lost in the re-image (even though they shouldn't).
1. Are you using and if so have you checked WEP,WPA,WPA/2 settings
2. Is there anything in your setup (DHCP reserved addresses, firewalls, etc.) that might be tied to MAC addresses
3. Are there any restrictions in your environment that might preclude the use of 802.1b/g (ie. interference) and require the use of 802.1a, which may not be the default.
There are some reports of Bluetooth/Wifi interference, since they both operate in the same frequency. Switching to 802.1a solves this, but if your APs don't support, try turning off the Bluetooth. If the mobile force is the saleforce type and they're using public wifi hotspots a lot, you will probably have some difficulty finding 802.1a, so disabling Bluetooth would be the only option.
ASKER
They are not picking up an IP address and definitly not connected. They are a mobile workforce that enters data during the day and returns to the office at night to sync over the wireless internet connection. A few of them will connect to their home wireless and sync from there. None are really using public Hotspots.
I have deleted profiles and re-entered WEP codes to no avail. Occasionally I will get one of them to connect for a few minutes after hitting REPAIR several times.
No MAC filtering and no restrictions of any kind.
I will check the bluetooth settings but I believe that it is disabled.
All wireless Routers and AP's are on 802.11 b and g mode.
I have deleted profiles and re-entered WEP codes to no avail. Occasionally I will get one of them to connect for a few minutes after hitting REPAIR several times.
No MAC filtering and no restrictions of any kind.
I will check the bluetooth settings but I believe that it is disabled.
All wireless Routers and AP's are on 802.11 b and g mode.
That's the low-hanging fruit.
If you're running Windows Zero Config, Intel's wireless client might provide you with more insight into why connections fail or are flaky at best. I realize this is a change to the vendor's standard image, but you might try it on one to help diagnose the problem. Windows Zero Config makes some assumptions and is generally not too helpful when things go wrong. The Windows event logs may give some information, but in general vendor's own agents are the best bet.
You can also try a sniffer like WireShark to watch the association attempts.
If you're running Windows Zero Config, Intel's wireless client might provide you with more insight into why connections fail or are flaky at best. I realize this is a change to the vendor's standard image, but you might try it on one to help diagnose the problem. Windows Zero Config makes some assumptions and is generally not too helpful when things go wrong. The Windows event logs may give some information, but in general vendor's own agents are the best bet.
You can also try a sniffer like WireShark to watch the association attempts.
ASKER
I have still not found the problem with these units. Although the only network that they will not connect to now is the office network which the only difference with this network and others is the fact that this network has 2 access points, 50 feet apart, same SSID, one on channel 1 and the other on channel 11 and that the tablets are using a different Intel Wireless card (802.11agn) than all the other tablets.
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ASKER
Sorry, I have not had time to go back to this problem. I have just been pluging the ones that don't connect into hard wire connections. I did downloaded the latest drivers and reinstalled the wireless adapter. Still can not connect.
ASKER