Vista/Ralink wifi/Advent laptop - forgets to connect...!

[RussA]

Bought an Advent Laptop for my daughter for xmas. It comes as;
1.4GhZ intel something or other
2Gig memory
Vista Home Premium
Ralink Wifi card

Wifi connects ok when I use Func + F10 (wifi enable) but even though I've got the connection set as "always connect to this network when available" (which is on all the time) I have to force it to connect each time with Func + F10. For some reason it's not connecting at start-up, even though its listed in the startup folder.

There IS a comment next to each of the entries in start-up folder, to the effect of approved or waiting approval etc for each of the different start-up programs/functions, however the Ralink/wifi part appears to be "not yet certified" or something similar (the laptop's stashed away at the moment), and does not appear to have the same approved status as a start-up function.

I've updated the wifi driver, but that appears to make no difference; it still forgets/wont connect automatically at power-up.

ANY IDEAS!!!!!? I don't know vista, and can't see what might improve this...!

Thanks as always...

 

[Duke]

Try using the Windows wireless configuration instead of the RALink software. I tend to find 3rd party wireless software to be quite flakey.

 

[RussA]

good point; - This may sound like a daft question but what's the easiest way in Vista of getting at the wireless configuration - I'm at day 2 with Vista and not familiar with it at all?

Thanks.

 

[Indy500]

Perhaps Vista doesn't like the drivers you're using? Or maybe you need to check if its a security setting that prevents it connecting.

 

[RussA]

Well the wierd thing is that when I hit Func+ F10 to make the connection, it happens pretty well straight away without any security messages/alerts, unless perhaps there's some subtle Vista function that by default blocks wifi connection on startup? I'm still unsure as to the significance of the descriptions I'm seeing in the startup folder - clearly the there's something odd that Vista thinks about the Ralink card and/or connection.

Also, as I say, I've updated the driver and that appears to have made no difference - good or bad...

 

[Indy500]

Well the wierd thing is that when I hit Func+ F10 to make the connection, it happens pretty well straight away without any security messages/alerts, unless perhaps there's some subtle Vista function that by default blocks wifi connection on startup? I'm still unsure as to the significance of the descriptions I'm seeing in the startup folder - clearly the there's something odd that Vista thinks about the Ralink card and/or connection.

Also, as I say, I've updated the driver and that appears to have made no difference - good or bad...

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=vista+blocking+startup+entry&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

Common problem it seems...