An Inspiron, a Port Replicator and a wireless connection

[MotionMan]

I have an Inspiron 4150 running XP Pro SP2 with a Dell Advanced Port Replicator Model No. PRX-7345U. The 4150 has an internal wireless card (not PC Card). When docked, I am on a wired network and there are no wireless networks near the replicator's location.

Starting a few weeks ago, when I boot up while the computer was in the port replicator, the computer looks for a wireless connection, can't find one, and then notifies me that it cannot find one with an annoying pop-up window over the wireless network taskbar icon that will not go away automatically.

Previously, I would not get such a notification (and, I believe, there was not even an icon on the taskbar informing me that there was no wireless network).

I believe, when this all started, I was trying to reset some network settings and may have accidentially fiddled with the wireless network settings. I just want things back to the way they were. I thought about uninstalling or disabling the wireless networking, but I do not want to do that for when the laptop is undocked, as well - Obviously, I am not proficient in dual profiles.

Sooooooo, my question is how do I get the laptop to stop looking for a wireless network when it is docked, while still looking when undocked.

MotionMan

 

[sieistganzfett]

the only thing i like about xp is that you can go back in time to the date prior to the problem via "system restore." see if that happens to fix it since you think you may have changed some config with the networking.. keep in mind any other config changes or program install or uninstalls you have done between the date you restore to and the current date will be lost, your actual data between the two dates will be safe.

 

[MotionMan]

I think I have let this problem go on for far too long to go back in time. I guess I am looking for a more pro-active solution.

MotionMan

 

[sieistganzfett]

i think you switched it from the wireless card's driver handling the network to Wireless Zero Configuration service. just disable that to get the other thing to take over so it doesnt prompt. maybe http://www.tipmonkies.com/2005/07/01/tu...less-zero-configuration-in-windows-xp/ will help?

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: sieistganzfett
i think you switched it from the wireless card's driver handling the network to Wireless Zero Configuration service. just disable that to get the other thing to take over so it doesnt prompt. maybe http://www.tipmonkies.com/2005/07/01/tu...less-zero-configuration-in-windows-xp/ will help?

I tried that and rebooted. It appears to have done the trick! Thanks.

MotionMan