Netbooks not connecting to the network wirelessly

[steve_nfi]

I’m having some problems with our new laptops.

When they first start they won’t let me log on to our network wirelessly. It says that the domain is not available.

They have all joined the network OK and will log in straight away when connected with a cable.

The only way they will connect wirelessly is when you log on to the local account, wait for the wireless drivers to kick in and start the wireless program.

Then log off and log back on to the network.

I’ve tried giving the wireless dedicated IP’s as well as using DHCP.

Can anyone shed any light on this.

Getting a bit desperate now as they want to start using this as a mobile IT suite soon and I can’t turn up with a trolley then log on 30 laptops locally so that the kids can then log onto the network.

[K.C.Leblanc]

What sort of netbook?

 

Are you using Window's built in wireless manager or the one made by the wireless card manufacturer. Windows is always the way to go.

 

What type of security are you using?

 

Are you configuring the laptops localy or pushing out settings from GPO.

 

Are you using the latest drivers?

[steve_nfi]

The netbooks are Viewsonic Viewbooks.

The all came with Windows 7 on but I had to overwite the all with our standard XP image.

I had to install the drivers from their website for Graphics, Lan, Wireless, Chipset, Touchpad, Cardreader and Audio.

A bit of a pain but once I'd created one I just ghost copied the rest.

The wireless drivers are Realtek.

The laptops appear to wait for the realtek programs to start before the windows wireless kicks in. If I disable the realtek pgm the windows one drops out as well.

[difinity]

Try backing up the drivers with something like Driver Magician Lite Free driver backup software, Driver Magician Lite

Uninstall the realtek stuff.

Search for new hardware, use the backed up wireless drivers and you should now have windows managing your wireless which as K.C.Leblanc said is the best way to go, specially at logging on.

[K.C.Leblanc]

Try backing up the drivers with something like Driver Magician Lite Free driver backup software, Driver Magician Lite

Uninstall the realtek stuff.

Search for new hardware, use the backed up wireless drivers and you should now have windows managing your wireless which as K.C.Leblanc said is the best way to go, specially at logging on.

 

Another good trick for getting a nice bloat free driver might be to uninstall all the realtek stuff. Plug the netbook into the network run Windows Update from Internet Explorer and see if it offers you wireless drivers.

[steve_nfi]

I think I've found the solution.

When I have logged onto the Network and look at the Realtek pgm running there is an option for Windows Zero Config.

I ticked the box and this seems to override the Realtek then hey presto the connect wirelessly first time.

Many thanks for the suggestions.

[simpsonj]

The waiting for the realtek program to kick in is definately the issue. Is there anyway of uninstalling the realtek program, but keeping the driver? Or install the driver just using the .inf file instead of using the Realtek software?

[steve_nfi]

I've uninstalled the Realtek program and let windows install the realtek drivers. Works fine now.

Thanks once again for your help.