Cannot Establish Network Connection and No Notification "Balloons" Appear (303597)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition
This article was previously published under Q303597

SYMPTOMS

When you try to establish a network connection, the authentication process may not run to completion and you do not receive any messages about the connection. No network connection icon appears in the status notification area on the taskbar (the system tray).

CAUSE

This issue can occur if the function that displays the network connection icon in the system tray has been turned off. (By default, this function is turned on.) The code for the network connection icon generates "balloon" notifications, including requests for user action, as part of the network connection process. Without the icon, no notifications appear and the authentication process continues to wait for user input.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, after you upgrade to Windows XP, configure Windows XP to show the network connection icon in the system tray:
  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Network and Internet Connections.
  2. Click Network Connections, right-click Wireless Connection, and then click Properties.
  3. On the General tab, click to select the Show icon in notification area when connected check box.
This change allows the IEEE 802.1x wireless configuration and the IEEE 802.1x service to communicate with you by using balloon notifications.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

If you use IEEE 802.11 wireless configuration and the IEEE 802.1x network authentication protocol, balloon notifications in the taskbar notification area give you information and may request some action on your part. The 802.1x service sends notifications during the process of validating your identity and authenticating your account for the network connection.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/18/2001
Keywords:kbnetwork kbprb kbProgramming KB303597
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.