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General discussion

cannot open linksys wireless configuration utility

Mar 15, 2004 12:02AM PST

Sorry for this long post...I'm just trying to provide all the info you need to help me...

I have been running my Linksys wireless network for some time, so I'm not sure when this started:

I recently decided I'd like to change my WEP encryption settings. I realized that I cannot open the Configuration Utility on my laptop. I am using the WPC11 ver 3 wirless card on my laptop, running WIN98SE (but this is also happening on my daughter's ME system!) The "wpc11cfg.exe" is running...its in the startup menu of msconfig...but there is no icon in the system tray. If I try to start it via the shortcut in Start\Programs\Accessories\Wireless Network PC card\Instant Wireless Configuration Utility, I get a popup saying the program is already running.

I can SOMETIMES get the icon in the system tray if I shut down the card, and re-inert it...but nothing happens when I click on the icon. I can right-click on the icon only one time and get the popup menu where I can choose "show configuration utility" but nothing happens. After that one time, I cannot get the right-click menu to come up anymore.

Of course, I suspected a corrupted file, so I uninstalled it and re-installed from the original CD-ROM...no difference. I've researched this on the Linksys site, and have emailed their support dept., but nothing yet.

The card is working...I just want to be able to access the configuration utility so I can change WEP settings from time to time. (Of course, since I had to re-install the software, I had to disable WEP encryption on my Linksys router until I can get into the notebook's configuration.)

Anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jack

Discussion is locked

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Re:cannot open linksys wireless configuration utility
Jun 6, 2004 8:01AM PDT

I've got the exact same problem

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Re:cannot open linksys wireless configuration utility
Jul 16, 2004 10:35PM PDT

Me too...I was online with linksys for 3 hours today and they could not tell me what to do. How can we formally complain to the company?

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Here's why you can't complain.
Jul 16, 2004 11:42PM PDT

"WPC11 ver 3 wirless card on my laptop, running WIN98SE"

This old OS doesn't install automatically support for the PC-Card or PCMCIA slot. Since Linksys didn't supply you the PC, the OS or will give you free tech support to fix the machine if there is an issue with the OS and you are unlikely to give them money to fix the machine, the whole operation dies on the (discussion) table.

It's a common problem and the card noted works great on the few Windows 98se laptops I've encountered, but we know that you can't just install 98 on a laptop with just what Microsoft gives you. The motherboard driver package must be fetched or the laptop maker may call it something else and you, as a many year veteran of using 98 will know your machine. Some don't want to know and that's OK, but they get to pay for the support.

Complain if you must, but I haven't seen this issue as a failing by Linksys or Cisco.

Bob

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Re: Here's why you can't complain.
Jul 24, 2004 5:57PM PDT

I understand your argument...but here's how I see it.

First, I'm running "WindowsXP Home". So the Win98 issue does not fit my particular glove.

Second - the problem appears to be with the configuration utility itself - which is a linksys problem - not an OS problem. When you click on the linksys utility to open, it should open and allow one to make changes. It does not.
Thanks Happy

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You can't complain. (still)
Jul 25, 2004 1:06AM PDT

Microsoft and Linksys didn't build your PC, put the OS on it and deliver it to you to use.

This is where the Macintosh model may be better for a lot of people. The PC way of things is much different. Not much is assured that it will work for you, but it works for most people.

I may have noted it, but the issues I see are people either don't know or unwilling to install drivers for the motherboard, enable USB in the BIOS and more "PC" type issues. Microsoft and Linksys won't do this for you.

In closing, the barrage of PARASITES we read (and I see daily!) at http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/ is an issue that the PC owner gets to take care of. Microsoft and Linksys will not do this work for you.

Bob

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Re: cannot open linksys wireless configuration utility
Jun 22, 2004 3:30AM PDT

I use a D-Link card, dwl 520+. Windows xp.

Had nothing but troubles... My utility does not show up if I have the ?Let Windows determine your network setting? ... or something like that. The check box is somewhere in the network setting/properties. Unfortunately, I?m not near my computer to give you the specific info.

This may not solve your problem though. I?ve unchecked the box only to have my network card stop working. Reinstalled the card and still not working or other problems come up... I HATE wireless.

Hope that helps.

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Re: cannot open linksys wireless configuration utility
Jul 24, 2004 6:01PM PDT

I had the same problem...when I uninstalled the card utility, then reinstall it...the utility (or computer itself) said it reconized files for the card and wanted to use old settings without letting me change them. That's not right. It defaulted to "infrastructure" and a SIDDS of "linksys" I wanted to change the channel and the SIDDS. I was not allowed to.

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Re: cannot open linksys wireless configuration utility
Aug 23, 2004 10:47AM PDT

Jack;
I don't know the model of your linksis, but if it is equivalent to mine, you can type the network address of the router directly in the browser and access the device via the built-in web interface. The format on windows is as follows: //10.1.10.1 of linux \\10.1.10.1

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Re: cannot open linksys wireless configuration utility
Sep 27, 2004 4:06AM PDT