Microsoft's Solution To XP WiFi Problems: Semantics
from the it-depends-on-what-your-definition-of-connectivity-is dept
Going one step further than the “it’s not a bug, it’s a feature” type of response, Microsoft has just gone a little nutty in trying to defend themselves against claims that XP’s Wireless Zero Configuration sometimes just drops the connection without telling the user. First, they claim they’ve never really heard of the problem, despite the fact that many have experienced it (though, as the article points out, many blame the WiFi hardware, rather than the software). However, one of the major complaints is that the little connection icon in the task bar still shows a connection, though no data is coming back from the access point. When asked why the icon doesn’t show the loss of connectivity, Microsoft responds with this: “It indicates that you’ve associated with an access point. It is possible for you to be associated without having connectivity.” Now, if you’re techie enough (and many of you are) it’s not too hard to figure out what this means, but there’s no way the average user wants to care about the difference between “associated with an access point” and “having connectivity.” While it may be useful to pinpoint that the problem does not have to do a problem between associating the machine and the access point, why not just have a separate way of indicating if there’s no connectivity as well?
Comments on “Microsoft's Solution To XP WiFi Problems: Semantics”
DSL question
I have a question for the tech geniuses here — why would DSL stop working at night? Every night, from about 9pm to 6am, my SBC DSL line is always unable to browse, because of a high packet failure rate. I’ve spent hours talking to technicians, no one has an answer.
Re: DSL question
I’m having a very similar problem.
In my case it turned out to be a fried modem. My surge protector wasn’t working right, and there was a 45,000,000 watt power surge during the most recent set of lightning storms here in the midwest that fried that, and my sound system.
I suspect you are probably having the same problem, given the timing.
The solution:
Have SBC send you a new modem and see if that helps.
Also, look to see if other parts of your system, mainly small usb devices or low power paripherals like scanners, speakers, things like that to have either stopped working, or acting funky.
Hope that helps.
Re: Re: DSL question
I don’t know anything about DSL modems but I just need to ask.
If the modem was fried wouldn’t it stop working altogether? Dorpus is suggesting that his service degrades (or cuts off if you will) every night between the hours mentionned but that otherwise (I assume) his service is normal.
Re: Re: Re: DSL question
Yes, it is otherwise normal during the day. The problem has existed since I got the modem in early May. I do live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Re: Re: Re:2 DSL question
this forum is more appropriate for your problem.
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/ilec,swbell
Re: DSL question
Oops, I meant 45,000 too many zeros. Not enough caffiene yet. Sorry.
Too funny
I completely agree with you. It’s ridiculous to think that Microsoft is trying this tactic. Nice.
WiFi disconnectivity with Windows XP
I also am experiencing the disconnectivity issue with Windows XP and my WiFi. Dell tells me that it must be interference or settings but I have done everthing their tec support suggests but I still lose my connection randomly. I lose the connection at several wifi hotspots and also when at home using a wireless router. I lose the connection on my windows xp laptop (dell) even when other computers in the same location do not. Why is this?? Anyone know that can email me?
WiFi disconnectivity with Windows XP
I also am experiencing the disconnectivity issue with Windows XP and my WiFi. Dell tells me that it must be interference or settings but I have done everthing their tec support suggests but I still lose my connection randomly. I lose the connection at several wifi hotspots and also when at home using a wireless router. I lose the connection on my windows xp laptop (dell) even when other computers in the same location do not. Why is this?? Anyone know that can email me? welshme@hotmail.com
need help
i am haveing trouble getting my sbc yahoo dial it asks me to give area code and the first three digets of my number that i will be dialing from to get locale acces numbers but after i do that it comes back and said that the setup proces has faild with the registration servess i have called tec. support by phone and they gave me an alternet number to use but still it did not would so what can i do to get it going