Wireless network problems

[dhoward_westexetc]

When looking at starting a new thread I observed this thread which directly relates to a problem we have.

When a laptop PC running Windows XP SP3 starts, if the wireless connection is enabled the 'Preparing Network Connections...' stage takes ages (often up to 1-2 minutes), then go through 'Applying computer settings...' which takes another minute or so. We find that if we just use the ethernet connection, and disable wireless, the 'Preparing Network Connections...' stage takes far less time (about 10 seconds on the faster Core 2 Duo laptops).

I have tried removing the policy 'Always wait for the network at computer startup' in a test bed, then tried logging in wirelessly, but all that happened was that Windows logged in and the wireless icon takes ages to appear. We have to have this policy enabled to ensure that the system starts with wireless working, but it adds a huge amount to the startup time.

I have never known a laptop PC running Windows Vista on the same network take this long to do this at startup with wireless enabled, and the wireless connects really quickly.

Does anyone have any clues as to why it is so much slower to prepare network connections with a wireless connection enabled on Windows XP? If anyone has any ideas as to what we can try to speed this up a bit, it will be much appreciated.

[powdarrmonkey]

What wireless authentication do you do?

[dhoward_westexetc]

We use 802.1X authentication, encryption is a standard WPA-TKIP.

[Spitfire]

Could it be that it's looking for a mapped drive that is no longer there?

[dhoward_westexetc]

Don't think so, when I disable the wireless card completely it is absolutely fine. As soon as I enable the wireless card the 'Preparing Network Connections...' takes ages.

[Spitfire]

we have loads of laptops that drop of the network, the usual problem is the windows zero configuration stops, restart this service and then tick the box to allow windows to manage the network connection.

[plexer]

Thread split so as not to go off topic from original poster.

If you want the title changed let me know.

Ben