As I did not get a solution from my earlier post I am reposting as a new topic

I have recently set up broadband with a wireless router connected to the Ethernet card on my computer which works fine.

I have set up my wife's for wireless connection using a wireless USB adaptor. However, to get a wireless connection from this, it is necessary to RUN and START the Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) service every time the computer is restarted, even though it is set to automatic, which is rather a nuisance. I think the reason that this is needed is something to do with the OS being Windows XP with SP2 as compared to the current full Windows XP.

So my query is:-

Is there a way of automatically running, and ideally stating, the WZC service when (re)starting the computer?

I have created a shortcut to run the Windows Services (services.msc /s, from the system32 folder) but one still has to scroll down to the WZC line, double click this and then click START to run it (or right click and then left click start). The path for this service, from Properties, is C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs. Trying to run this as a short cut does not work. It is necessary to run it from the Windows Services.

What I am looking for, therefore, is a short cut to run the Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) service, and if possible to also start it. Maybe ?.services.msc with suitable switches? This short cut could then be put in the start-up folder.


Virgin Net say that the USB adaptor should work automatically, and everything else indicates that I have installed it correctly (and also uninstalled and reinstalled it as they suggested), but it does not! It needs the WZC service to get it to work.


So any ideas for a solution please?



Derek

I have been doing some further investigating and the WZC should in fact start with Windows XP by carrying out the steps:-

1. Run Windows Services
2. Scroll down to the Wireless Zero Configuration Service line and double click on it
3. Select Automatic from the dropdown and click on Apply
4. Click on Start and OK

Needless to say this is exactly what I have done but it doesn't work on the computer where I need it to work.

I am now almost certain that the reason for this is that the OS is Windows XP Professional with SP2 as compared to the current full Windows XP Professional.

So probably what I really need is a fix for this aspect of Windows XP.

Microsoft do not offer support for OEM versions of Windows and Virgin Net are not at all helpful, unlike McAfee who were very helpful in providing a fix for IE6 when this would not manually update their software on the same computer - this also was because Windows XP with SP2 does not, it seems, fully behave like the current full Windows XP which is another reason for my thinking that a fix for the WZC is probably what is required rather than a shortcut to run and star it.

Derek

Welcome to PCHF... unfortunately I have zero experience with wireless config issues --but it appears you are not alone. I googled for: Wireless Zero Configuration Issues in XP...

http://www.google.com/search?q=Wirel...&start=10&sa=N

Thank you for the Google link.



However, after all everyone's efforts, I have now discovered, by looking at all the tabs in the software of the Speedtouch USB wireless adaptor, that I do not in fact need WZC after all! This is indeed what Virgin Net said but they were unable to say how to cure the problem.

When I installed it I had to enter an encryption code - which is printed on the wireless router.
What I had not realised is that this same code also had to be entered as a 'password' on a security tab in the USB adaptor software. I found this out just by 'playing'.

Now that I have done this the wireless connection is made when the computer is (re)started and does not need the WZC, although sometimes it starts up with a 'limited connectivity’ and needs to be 'repaired' (simply right click the tray icon and then left click repair).

So all is well now. I still don't know how to autorun WZC when it doesn't but I now don't need it.


Derek

Just for safety's sake -- you ARE running some kind of a firewall --aren't you??

sounds like a pretty "open" setup to me-- though as I said... I'm no expert in wireless config. Wireless is very convenient, but not very secure IMHO.

Yes of course. There is a full McAfee Internet Security Suite (antivirus, firewall, Spam killer etc) which updates automatically on both computers. Windows also updates automatically to ensure all security updates etc are installed. And on top of that the wireless router also has a built in firewall. Actually the McAfee Personal firewall conflicted with that in the router and had to be uninstalled (which then enabled the Windows XP firewall) before I could complete installation of the router on my computer. The McAfee firewall has now been reinstalled without any problems. The same McAfee program (as the second user of a 3-user version) which is also on my wife's computer did not interfere with installation of the USB wireless adaptor. Ours not to reason why! At least it all works now and seems as secure as is possible.

Derek

Meant no offense... but you'd be amazed at the number of people I know... who complain their computer's slow or unable to connect-- and when I ask what firewall they're running ... they say "what's a firewall?"