ThinkPad wireless still not working

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fjs08 · #1 Post by **fjs08** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 7:25 pm

Hi,
My daughter received her ThinkPad t41 back from IBM-AGAIN (this is the 2nd time). First problem was a crashed HD. When she got it back, the wireless was no where to be found. She called IBM Support and they had her send it back a 2nd time. This time they replaced the System Board, but still no wireless. So she called them today and spent 2 hours with them, getting shifted from person to person.

Might replacing the system board have anything to do with the wireless not showing up?? Could this have removed the wireless.

IBM today had her do a rapid restore to factory settings via F11 and when it was almost done she got a message that said the video driver wasn't present. It finished up and the screen worked, but it still said that the video driver wasn't present. No wireless showing up either. No icon in the lower right tray and she did the Start/All Programs/Access IBM/IBM Access support and that did nothing.
So where do we go from here??

Frank

#2 Post by **K. Eng** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:03 pm

This is strange. Replacing a crashed HDD is as simple as plugging in a new one, using restore CDs to create the restore image, and then running the restore program.

The restore program should properly detect the wireless card and install the drivers. Unless someone removed the wireless card. Or you were sent the wrong machine back.

When she got it back, the wireless was no where to be found. She called IBM Support and they had her send it back a 2nd time

If the repair technician forgot to reinstall the wireless card during the board replacement, that might be the problem.

Might replacing the system board have anything to do with the wireless not showing up?? Could this have removed the wireless

The video driver isn't a big deal. You can download that from the IBM website. You should first try to determine if the Wireless card is in the machine. Go to Control Panel -> System Properties -> Hardware Tab. Click on Device Manager. You should see a list of items that can be expanded. Expand the Network Adapters item. You should see the wired LAN and the wireless card if it is installed.

Also check the list for unidentified devices. It might be that the driver is not installed.

If the wireless card just isn't there, you will probably have to send the unit back to IBM's repair depot

So where do we go from here??

fjs08 · #3 Post by **fjs08** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:12 pm

Where would I look for video drivers and why would the screen work if there are no video drivers??
I would think that on 2 returns IBM should have checked to see if a wireless card is present?? But I know, Stuff happens!!
I would also think that in the 2 1/2 hours she spent with IBM today that they would have checked what you mentioned, but again, Stuff happens.
Thanks.
Frank

Daniel · #4 Post by **Daniel** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:18 pm

fjs08 wrote:Where would I look for video drivers and why would the screen work if there are no video drivers??
I would think that on 2 returns IBM should have checked to see if a wireless card is present?? But I know, Stuff happens!!
I would also think that in the 2 1/2 hours she spent with IBM today that they would have checked what you mentioned, but again, Stuff happens.
Thanks.
Frank

Windows has a generic driver that works with most video cards. Even without the proper video driver, your display should still work. Do what K.Eng said and see if there is something showing up for your wireless card.

fjs08 · #5 Post by **fjs08** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 4:37 am

I sent my daughter an e-mail with directions on how to search for the card. If it isn't there, can I ask IBM to send one to me and is it something that I could "easily" install, or would fooling with it void the warrenty??
Frank

fjs08 · #6 Post by **fjs08** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 4:38 am

>>Also check the list for unidentified devices. It might be that the driver is not installed. <<

Just noticed this. Where is the "list?"

Frank

#7 Post by **K. Eng** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 6:44 am

Go to Control Panel -> System Properties -> Hardware Tab. Click on Device Manager. You should see a list of items that can be expanded (will contain items such as display, CPU, system devices, usb, etc).

You can also the "add hardware" applet in the control panel to have Windows detect any installed hardware that does not have drivers yet.

fjs08 · #8 Post by **fjs08** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 6:45 am

Hi,
OK, I spoke with my daughter and we checked for the card. Under the expanded Network Adapters we found on both her t41 and my t40, Intel Pro/1000 MT Mobile connecter, but on mine and NOT on hers, a Duel Band WiFi wireless mini PC adapter. Am I to assume that the later is the wireless card??? If so, then they took out the card when they first replaced the hard drive and forgot to put it back in. NOW, is this something I can have them send me and I can replace ( I think I asked this above) or should I just send the computer back and "ask" them to put the card in. I'm in total shock that they couldn't figure this out the 2nd time they had the computer, which was sent with the specific problem of the wireless not working!!!

Frank

ThinkPad wireless still not working

ThinkPad wireless still not working

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