On Thu, 15 Mar 2007 11:29:16 -0400, Chris F Clark
<cfc@shell01.TheWorld.com> wrote in
<sddveh2zfsj.fsf@shell01.TheWorld.com>:

>>>ipconfig /all
>>>
>>>Windows IP Configuration
>>>An internal error occurred: A device attached to the system is not functioning.
>>>Please contact Microsoft Product Support Services for further help.
>>>Additional information: Unknown media status code.
>>
>> This is a known problem to which I've posted work-arounds -- see
>> <http://groups.google.com/group/alt.internet.wireless/browse_frm/thread/1f5b6a321fd8ef35>

>The workarounds are problematic. I work for Intel and this laptop
>(and the software on it) is managed by Intel's IT department. The
>corporate security policy is that we need to use Thinkpad access
>connections (and Intel PROSet) on our laptops. In fact, they take a
>very dim view of us reinstalling or rolling-back any drivers on our
>systems. They don't even let us use Windows Update, since it might
>introduce patches that "they" (the corporate IT department) haven't
>"verified".

This is covered in the thread I referred you to. My work-arounds (as
distinct from my fix) _don't_ require messing with the driver. Among
other things, you can simply disable and re-enable the device in
hardware manager to run IPCONFIG -- just do it before the auto-disable
kicks back in.

>Thus, you've just turned a technical problem into a political one for
>me--how to "fix" my machine without breaking my conditions of
>employment.

How about encouraging the folks in your company to fix their driver
problem? Trying to get them to take notice of this issue has been
futile and frustrating for me -- your company seems uninterested in bug
reports to the point of making it very difficult to submit them
(reminding me of former arrogance I thought it had put behind it).

>Are there any "current" drivers which work? If not, what is the "most
>current" driver that works? I will need to call IT and get permission
>to install them, but there is a chance for that to be allowed,
>particularly if it is a current driver (and not an older one).

This is also covered in the thread I referred you to. The problem seems
to have been introduced in Version 8 drivers, so any prior Version
should do.

>The machine in question is a thinkpad T42p (and the wireless card, is
>that standard one that IBM built into such units).

The IPCONFIG problem comes from the _wired_ adapter. This is also
covered in the thread I referred you to.

>However, if the problem is just ipconfig not working (e.g. not
>displaying the information). Is there another workaround possible?
>Can I get the relevant information another way?

Again, this is covered in the thread I referred you to. Use one of my
work-arounds.

>Therefore, I don't care very much if ipconfig is broken, except as it
>relates to tracking down the mysterious problem of sometimes losing
>connectivity, ...

And that's the point.

Once you've got IPCONFIG working, also try the script at
<http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/FixDHCP_script>.

>On a related note, if there is some problem with the drivers, and you
>have information that I should pass along, I can see if I can do
>that--I don't know if I will be able to find the right people to pass
>it along to, but I will try. We do try to "eat our own dog food" and
>thus force ourselves to fix the problems that we have created.

I'd be happy to do that myself if you can give me some idea of who to
contact or otherwise how to go about it. Try to find out who is
responsible for (cares about) your wired Ethernet chipset drivers.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>