"Available Networks" can't shutdown

I've bumped into an an annoying problem lately with my HEL80. When I have turned off the Wireless Select Switch and I try to shutdown, I get a window which says that "Available Networks" could not be shut down and will have to be forced shut down. When the Wireless is turned on (using the switch), shut down procedure is normal...

Anyone know how to fix this?

 

I've had the same problem on my laptop. When I called tech support, they told me not to worry about it. Their suspicion was the "available networks" program isn't closing fast enough when windows is trying to shut down and I should ignore it.

It wasn't a satisfying answer, but at least it isn't hurting the system.

 

I know, I just don't like errors like that heh. Thx for the response!

 

Yes downgrade the Intel wireless software. Look at my thread about the drivers.
The software is very good and handy, but why does it need 6!!! processes to steer the wireless network

 

Ok I see... I'll just live with it for now and update when they fix it...

 

I had the same problem with shutting down, (available networks) with my dell XPS gen2. It happend right after the complete system restore and fresh instalation of Win XP and dell drivers.
I downloaded and installed latest driver for WLAN (90MB) from dell support (not from intel) and all the problems has gone

 

Does it happen every time you shut down? And does it matter how long before shutting down you turn off the wireless switch?

I've shut down a couple times with wireless off and I don't recall that error.

 

I dont get it either... All the mentioned error means is that when you flick the switch on the front of the laptop, you are hardware disabling the network connection. This causes the Intel network software to not be able to "de-latch" from the hardware by itself. It's not a big deal unless you are ultra super picky and decide you can't be bothered by that... Just telll windows to automagically do it for you so you dont get prompted if its that much of a burden.. or try disconnecting from the wireless before you flip the hardware switch...

 

Yeah, I just tried it again a little while ago. Nothing.
I shut down shortly after flipping the wireless switch.

I'm thinking it's a software-level issue though. Perhaps check microsoft.com and search using the exact error message you're getting?

 

There actually is no error accuring here to fix... This is exactly how the OS in intended to operate. It's to stop users from killing applications improperly. Imagine you have a program that is supposed to save its current working state, and you try to force it closed? You will lose any changes made. So M$ tried to solve this by asking users to basically verify they want to force applications to exit improperly.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND HAND CHANGING YOUR REGISTRY UNLESS YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MAY DO!!

open regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
find AutoEndTasks and change the value from 0 to 1

 

That makes a lot of sense. I will agree that there's no point in playing with the registry for something as minor as this.

 

My new SZ has the same problem: "Available Networks" apprears when shutdown, even when Wireless off How to resolve this problem???

 

dont turn of the network switch before you shutdown, problem solved LOL , i never turn my switch off, whats the point? when yhou shutdown the wireless shuts off anyways

 

I changed the AutoEndTasks switch form 0 to 1. Problem solved. Do you think leaving it set to 0 and changing the timeout value from 5000 msec to some bigger number would work also?

With my problem the Available Networks always has to be manually killed (or else wait a while), and occasionally Intel PROSet won't shutdown either, but that dialog box always appears after I manually kill Available Networks.

I have tried the following, with no effect, until I changed the number to 1:
1) Driver update from Gateway
2) Uninstall Symantec AV, Spysweeper and Zonealarm (and manually remove all remaining instances from registry).
3) Disable Intel PROset services (3 of them)
4) Turn off WiFi before shutting down
5) Leave WiFi off and use Ethernet cable
Interestingly installing the WiFi driver and letting XP find/install it solves the problem exactly once and then it reappears.

 

My GW laptop also has the annoyance with available networks not shutting down gracefully at shutdown. I discovered something. I had the bluetooth service disable because I had no bluetooth devices. I recently enabled the bluetooth service, as I now have a bluetooth device. And voila, the available networks annoyance has disappeared. The unit now simply shuts down as normal.