can't see wireless networks after latest update

We've used my wife's laptop out in the living room on a WEP-encrypted
wireless connection with no problem for many months. After running today's
recommended Windows Updates -- looked like a few simple security fixes and
another copy of the Malicious Software Removal Tool -- and rebooting, the
machine immediately lost the ability to see the wireless network.

I've tried ipconfig /release but since there's no connection it can't
release it, verified that the wireless NIC looks fine in the device manager,
refreshed the network list a dozen times, power-cycled my router and modem
multiple times, disabled and reenabled the wireless card, tried it again with
WEP turned off, etc etc etc. Nothing's working.

What the hell was in today's updates?!? WTF?

> I've tried ipconfig /release but since there's no connection it can't
> release it, verified that the wireless NIC looks fine in the device manager,
> refreshed the network list a dozen times, power-cycled my router and modem
> multiple times, disabled and reenabled the wireless card, tried it again with
> WEP turned off, etc etc etc. Nothing's working.
>
> What the hell was in today's updates?!? WTF?

Changing the wireless channel on the router allowed me to get the laptop
back on. I still believe it was something in the updates that screwed this up
-- it worked right up until the reboot following the install -- but at least
the hassle is over.

This as well as other messages I found shows there is a problem with some
systems using XP Pro, after the auto update installation of Windows Malicious
Software Removal Tool. I now Believe it disabled my wired network as well as
the wireless. I did not change channels on router, I used recovery and have
changed auto update to let me choose before updating.
SO! Will Microsoft find a way to stop this download from disabling Internet
connection. I could NOT even connect to the internet by connecting direct
from modem to computer. And I know there are others. One person was yelled at
for asking the question why; in a forum that addressed this problem for Media
Center users. But it is a problem with XP Pro! any help would be great
thanks
--
PSP


"RwL" wrote:

> We've used my wife's laptop out in the living room on a WEP-encrypted
> wireless connection with no problem for many months. After running today's
> recommended Windows Updates -- looked like a few simple security fixes and
> another copy of the Malicious Software Removal Tool -- and rebooting, the
> machine immediately lost the ability to see the wireless network.
>
> I've tried ipconfig /release but since there's no connection it can't
> release it, verified that the wireless NIC looks fine in the device manager,
> refreshed the network list a dozen times, power-cycled my router and modem
> multiple times, disabled and reenabled the wireless card, tried it again with
> WEP turned off, etc etc etc. Nothing's working.
>
> What the hell was in today's updates?!? WTF?