Wireless Connections Not Recognized

Hi all,

I'm stumped on a fix for a peculiar problem for my wireless connection.

I'm using an IBM Thinkpad T42 running Windows XP Professional, Service Pack 3/Wireless Network Adapter Type: Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection

When I boot the laptop without the ethernet cable plugged in the system won't detect any wireless networks. I get the standard message:

"No wireless networks were found in range. Make sure the wireless switch on your computer is on. To see an updated list, click "Refresh network list."

However, when I boot the computer with an ethernet cable connected, the system will detect all wireless networks within range and automatically connect to my preferred network. This wireless connection will maintain until I restart the computer with the ethernet cable unplugged. The ethernet cable must be plugged in at bootup or it won't detect the wireless networks.

This problem started when a well meaning family member was tinkering with the connection setting trying to configure it recognize a WPA2 connection. Prior to that, I never experienced any problems with the wireless.

Is there a setting happing on startup that needs to be adjusted? Thanks for any suggestions!