Homepage
Forum
Drivers
HMM
MTM
Feed
My Verizon wireless card will not work on my new Thinkpad T42p. The driver software tells me that it is not certified by Microsoft and that doom and gloom will come to those who continue the installation. Of course, I continued but have had no luck getting it installed.
My thoughts are that it has to do with the wireless network part of the computer; but, being basically technologically incompetent, I hesitate to put too much credence on those thoughts.
Has anyone gotten a card from a wireless carrier to work in this computer? Thanks!
ThinkPad T42p with Verizon Wireless Card
After JUST getting my new T42p two days ago and trying everything under the sun to get my Verizon PC5220 card to work on this thing, I found what the problem was.
This card will *NOT* work in *ANY* laptop that has Centrino wireless anything built-in. It works fine on my old Dell (cough) and on my Sony Vaio Picturebook - neither one of them has any wireless capabilities built in.
I've tried latest firmware, latest drivers, latest Verizon connection manager, latest Sierra Wireless connection manager (the card is made by Sierra), latest 3rd party firmware/connection manager - nothing.
And then I found this gem, which explains everything:
http://www.nccomp.com/sysadmin/verizon.html
So much for the PC5220 card... on a Centrino laptop that is.
Anyone wants one? I'm selling mine. Paid full retail for it ($299) because I didn't want a 2 year contract with Verizon... Name your price and it's yours. Works fine on other laptops I've tried, and here in San Diego, in Las Vegas and in Washington, DC you can even surf on Verizon's Broadband Wireless, up to 2mbps. All other markets (nationwide) it averages about 40-80kbps. Send me private message if interested.
This card will *NOT* work in *ANY* laptop that has Centrino wireless anything built-in. It works fine on my old Dell (cough) and on my Sony Vaio Picturebook - neither one of them has any wireless capabilities built in.
I've tried latest firmware, latest drivers, latest Verizon connection manager, latest Sierra Wireless connection manager (the card is made by Sierra), latest 3rd party firmware/connection manager - nothing.
And then I found this gem, which explains everything:
http://www.nccomp.com/sysadmin/verizon.html
So much for the PC5220 card... on a Centrino laptop that is.
Anyone wants one? I'm selling mine. Paid full retail for it ($299) because I didn't want a 2 year contract with Verizon... Name your price and it's yours. Works fine on other laptops I've tried, and here in San Diego, in Las Vegas and in Washington, DC you can even surf on Verizon's Broadband Wireless, up to 2mbps. All other markets (nationwide) it averages about 40-80kbps. Send me private message if interested.
Yes, I have the 2200BG card and I had thought of this option. But, to be perfectly honest, I'd rather like to see if someone can actually confirm that that combination will work at all. As much as everyone claims the IBM a/b/g card is "so much better", I really can't complain about the 2200BG - it works flawlessly and the range is the best I've ever seen on any wireless card or laptop (I can easily walk away 100+ feet from the access point and still have solid signal, walls, floors notwithstanding).
Another thought I had - what if I pull out the wireless card out altogether? That would make the Thinkpad "wireless-free", right? Well, it's something I haven't tried yet, I just found that web site I quoted late last night. Looking all over on Google it sounds like it may be an issue with "any" built-in wireless options, not just Centrino... but, who knows.
Of course, I've tried calling Verizon support last night but they are only around till 11pm and I called at 11:20. I'll try again today, see if they have any suggestions - other than getting the OLD Sierra Wireless card that although works, it doesn't support the high-speed wireless broadband in San Diego, Las Vegas and DC.
Another thought I had - what if I pull out the wireless card out altogether? That would make the Thinkpad "wireless-free", right? Well, it's something I haven't tried yet, I just found that web site I quoted late last night. Looking all over on Google it sounds like it may be an issue with "any" built-in wireless options, not just Centrino... but, who knows.
Of course, I've tried calling Verizon support last night but they are only around till 11pm and I called at 11:20. I'll try again today, see if they have any suggestions - other than getting the OLD Sierra Wireless card that although works, it doesn't support the high-speed wireless broadband in San Diego, Las Vegas and DC.
Follow-Up on ThinkPad and Verizon
What a mess! I am on my third Verizon card and it has failed. Apparently, according to Verizon, the firmware on other versions does not work with a ThinkPad T41 or later. It should not need a driver because the firmware has everything needed. Being the proud possessor of three PC3220 cards, none of which work, I now think that Verizon just does not have a card that will work on this PC at all! The Help Desk has been very good about spending hours on the telephone trying to get the problem resolved but the end result is not a good one.
Sounds like it is Sprint or AT&T as the choices. Thank you so much for all of your help!!!
Sounds like it is Sprint or AT&T as the choices. Thank you so much for all of your help!!!
The problem is not with just Thinkpads, guys... I just got a PC5220 card last week, and although it works just fine on OLD laptops (pre-Centrino, pre-Pentium M), it doesn't work on any recent Thinkpads, any recent Dells, HPs, Compaqs, Toshibas, etc.
I spent HOURS on the phone with both Verizon and IBM. I can't get in touch with Sierra Wireless at all. They are based in Canada and I've tried calling them several times, but every time I run into a roadblock - they do not support their PC cards at all, they claim I need to talk to the distributor or company that sells them (ie: Verizon).
I have asked if anyone at Verizon ever tested this card on any recently built laptops, say anything built in the last 12 months - which means 99% probability of it being a Centrino / Pentium M based laptop. No answer from their engineering department which SUPPOSEDLY tests all new phones and all new hardware.
I asked them if they also tested the new Sierra Wireless AirCard 580, which is newer than the 5220 Verizon sells. Verizon offers the 580 if you are willing to wait for overnight shipping, but again, they would not confirm whether or not they actually tested it with any Centrino notebooks.
I'm not ordering another $300 card just to test it for them. They have several locations with engineers on staff who are supposed to test these things. They claim they only had one complaint in the past about this issue and they thought it to be insignificant and not warrantying further investigation. Funny - I found HUNDREDS of pages on Google from people who have the same problem. Guess too many people just accept mediocre service and cancel their account within the 15 days of "trial".
I say if you have a Verizon card and can't get it to work - CALL THEM AND FILE A TICKET!! Do not stop at reporting an issue, ask them to actually open a ticket and forward it to engineering for answer or resolution. They wouldn't do anything until I pressed them for this, and am currently waiting for their engineering dept. to confirm whether they can test the new 580 card. PLEASE, if you have a Verizon card, CALL THEM AND COMPLAIN, LOUDLY, as it doesn't appear they have heard from enough people to take notice and realize that it is a legitimate issue. In the rest of the country where they do not have the wireless broadband network and offer just the low-speed network, they sell only the old Sierra Wireless card, which works fine. The issue is only relevant to San Diego, Las Vegas and D.C. areas and PC3220 and PC5220 cards - if you have one, CALL VERIZON TODAY!
Thanks.
I spent HOURS on the phone with both Verizon and IBM. I can't get in touch with Sierra Wireless at all. They are based in Canada and I've tried calling them several times, but every time I run into a roadblock - they do not support their PC cards at all, they claim I need to talk to the distributor or company that sells them (ie: Verizon).
I have asked if anyone at Verizon ever tested this card on any recently built laptops, say anything built in the last 12 months - which means 99% probability of it being a Centrino / Pentium M based laptop. No answer from their engineering department which SUPPOSEDLY tests all new phones and all new hardware.
I asked them if they also tested the new Sierra Wireless AirCard 580, which is newer than the 5220 Verizon sells. Verizon offers the 580 if you are willing to wait for overnight shipping, but again, they would not confirm whether or not they actually tested it with any Centrino notebooks.
I'm not ordering another $300 card just to test it for them. They have several locations with engineers on staff who are supposed to test these things. They claim they only had one complaint in the past about this issue and they thought it to be insignificant and not warrantying further investigation. Funny - I found HUNDREDS of pages on Google from people who have the same problem. Guess too many people just accept mediocre service and cancel their account within the 15 days of "trial".
I say if you have a Verizon card and can't get it to work - CALL THEM AND FILE A TICKET!! Do not stop at reporting an issue, ask them to actually open a ticket and forward it to engineering for answer or resolution. They wouldn't do anything until I pressed them for this, and am currently waiting for their engineering dept. to confirm whether they can test the new 580 card. PLEASE, if you have a Verizon card, CALL THEM AND COMPLAIN, LOUDLY, as it doesn't appear they have heard from enough people to take notice and realize that it is a legitimate issue. In the rest of the country where they do not have the wireless broadband network and offer just the low-speed network, they sell only the old Sierra Wireless card, which works fine. The issue is only relevant to San Diego, Las Vegas and D.C. areas and PC3220 and PC5220 cards - if you have one, CALL VERIZON TODAY!
Thanks.
Yes, the card you have is for the old/slow Verizon network, and yes, that one works just fine.
It's the newer cards (AirCard 5220 and perhaps 580 - noone was able to test the later one yet) that do not work at all on ANY Centrino/Pentium M based notebooks. For us who live in areas where Verizon offers (supposedly) the new 3G high-speed wireless broadband on the 5220 and 580 cards, this means we cannot use their service AT ALL, unless we either:
1. use an old card that works only on the slower network (MUCH slower!), or
2. get rid of our new (or new-ish) notebooks and go back to the old 14lbs clunkers based on the standard desktop grade Pentium 4 CPUs.
Neither of the options is appearling to me. I bought my new ThinkPad T42p precisely because of its size and power and to use with a PC5220 AirCard.
It's the newer cards (AirCard 5220 and perhaps 580 - noone was able to test the later one yet) that do not work at all on ANY Centrino/Pentium M based notebooks. For us who live in areas where Verizon offers (supposedly) the new 3G high-speed wireless broadband on the 5220 and 580 cards, this means we cannot use their service AT ALL, unless we either:
1. use an old card that works only on the slower network (MUCH slower!), or
2. get rid of our new (or new-ish) notebooks and go back to the old 14lbs clunkers based on the standard desktop grade Pentium 4 CPUs.
Neither of the options is appearling to me. I bought my new ThinkPad T42p precisely because of its size and power and to use with a PC5220 AirCard.
Let me also add to this, in case some of you not in the Verizon's wireless broadband area are trying to see what the big deal is.
The old cards that do work are for the old and slow Verizon wireless network, which averages about 40-60kbps. These work fine. Slowly, but fine. The approximate speed on these is about the equivalent of 56kbps dial-up connection - in my limited testing it's a little bit more stable, though. It's great when you are nowhere near a phone line and need access to the net. Just 2 days ago driving to Palm Springs at 95mph I had a solid connection and could work on my laptop, no problem (not a Thinkpad... but my trusty Sony Vaio Picturebook).
The new cards that work on the new 3G network (or what Verizon calls 1xEVDO) work at about 300-600kbs on average, and can peek at ~2mbps, under ideal conditions/location, of course. In my testing I was getting about 400-500kbps on my old Dell.
The difference is phenomenal. I have successfully tested the 1xEVDO network speeds with my card on my old Dell and it works great. Only problem is, it's an old laptop and I don't want to carry that around - I bought a new ThinkPad to do all this work on, wirelessly.
The old cards that do work are for the old and slow Verizon wireless network, which averages about 40-60kbps. These work fine. Slowly, but fine. The approximate speed on these is about the equivalent of 56kbps dial-up connection - in my limited testing it's a little bit more stable, though. It's great when you are nowhere near a phone line and need access to the net. Just 2 days ago driving to Palm Springs at 95mph I had a solid connection and could work on my laptop, no problem (not a Thinkpad... but my trusty Sony Vaio Picturebook).
The new cards that work on the new 3G network (or what Verizon calls 1xEVDO) work at about 300-600kbs on average, and can peek at ~2mbps, under ideal conditions/location, of course. In my testing I was getting about 400-500kbps on my old Dell.
The difference is phenomenal. I have successfully tested the 1xEVDO network speeds with my card on my old Dell and it works great. Only problem is, it's an old laptop and I don't want to carry that around - I bought a new ThinkPad to do all this work on, wirelessly.
Additional Follow-Up
Wow, everyone is so helpful! I followed the advice of MrBeta and filed a ticket with Verizon engineering. The answer that I go this morning is that the 3220 has never been updated (you would think that there would be a database somewhere with that information) but that after two tries with the manufacturer, the 5220 P8 has experienced no problems on any laptop. They also suggested the 555 which does not handle broadband. Said nothing about a 580 but by then I was just glad that testing another 3220 was not in my future.
Thought I would check with you experts to see if this is really the case. Thanks again!
Thought I would check with you experts to see if this is really the case. Thanks again!
When you say "5220 P8" - is the P8 some kind of revision number?? Where or how did you obtain this number?
I'm not sure what "revision" my card is but I suppose I could look it up. All I can say is that after doing extensive research for about a week, all I can come across on Google is that 3220 and 5220 just do not work with Centrino notebooks (and for those who say "get an IBM a/b/g card to make the Thinkpad non-Centrino - that's not it... Centrino is more than just the card, it's the entire design of the system, from the low voltage Pentium M CPU down to all other system components... IBM confirmed that replacing the mini-PCI wireless card would have no effect on anything - the voltages and other features of the laptop are identical between all models)
I am going to call Verizon now to check on the status of my ticket with engineering. I find it incredibly strange that a multi-billion dollar company the size of Verizon would not have tested 3220 or 5220 (or 580 for that matter) on a laptop built somewhat recently - ie: a Centrino based laptop.
I'm not sure what "revision" my card is but I suppose I could look it up. All I can say is that after doing extensive research for about a week, all I can come across on Google is that 3220 and 5220 just do not work with Centrino notebooks (and for those who say "get an IBM a/b/g card to make the Thinkpad non-Centrino - that's not it... Centrino is more than just the card, it's the entire design of the system, from the low voltage Pentium M CPU down to all other system components... IBM confirmed that replacing the mini-PCI wireless card would have no effect on anything - the voltages and other features of the laptop are identical between all models)
I am going to call Verizon now to check on the status of my ticket with engineering. I find it incredibly strange that a multi-billion dollar company the size of Verizon would not have tested 3220 or 5220 (or 580 for that matter) on a laptop built somewhat recently - ie: a Centrino based laptop.
Evidently the P8 is the result after the second reject of the card because of its not working with the new computers. Engineering said that they are very well aware of the fact that the cards did not work and have been addressing the issue (not very successfully apparently) and that they are not aware of any problems with this latest P8 version. Since Engineering seemed to be the only ones that knew that the 3220 had never been updated, I am not sure what to believe. I will say that the step prior to Enginnering kept sending me what they thought was a P8 upgrade to the 3220 so there might be something to that.
Let me know what you find out on your ticket. They were really quick in getting back to me and letting me know that the cards that I had were never going to work.
Let me know what you find out on your ticket. They were really quick in getting back to me and letting me know that the cards that I had were never going to work.
HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!
I just got off the phone with Verizon. After being transferred back and forth several times between different support department, someone a bit more intelligent FINALLY had an epiphany and transferred me to what they call "wireless data transmission department" (they deal with everything but voice/cell phones). BINGO! They had this issue identified long ago, have a list of laptops that do not work with the PC5220 cards, and actually have a solution!
The problem turns out to be some odd frequency modulation between certain laptops and the PC5220 card itself. The older models of this card are in effect incompatible with just about any laptop built in the last year or so. The solution - they have identified and tested the very latest release of this card, P8A, to be compatible with Centrino, and with Thinkpads in particular. They are overnighting me a new card, P8A release, which they have full confidence will resolve this issue.
How can you tell which revision you have? Well, you can't, but if you give them the Part Number from the back of the card, they will be able to look it up in their database.
Thank goodness they have a solution to this. I was soooo close from selling my brand new T42p and getting something else just to get this wireless access working while traveling...!
I just got off the phone with Verizon. After being transferred back and forth several times between different support department, someone a bit more intelligent FINALLY had an epiphany and transferred me to what they call "wireless data transmission department" (they deal with everything but voice/cell phones). BINGO! They had this issue identified long ago, have a list of laptops that do not work with the PC5220 cards, and actually have a solution!
The problem turns out to be some odd frequency modulation between certain laptops and the PC5220 card itself. The older models of this card are in effect incompatible with just about any laptop built in the last year or so. The solution - they have identified and tested the very latest release of this card, P8A, to be compatible with Centrino, and with Thinkpads in particular. They are overnighting me a new card, P8A release, which they have full confidence will resolve this issue.
How can you tell which revision you have? Well, you can't, but if you give them the Part Number from the back of the card, they will be able to look it up in their database.
Thank goodness they have a solution to this. I was soooo close from selling my brand new T42p and getting something else just to get this wireless access working while traveling...!
Congratulations!!!! Since I have a 3220, I have to buy a new card but it is worth it, since I would have to buy one from any other vendor and also have to establish a new account. Agree that being without that wireless capability is very inconvenient for people who travel all the time.
Happy Communicating!
Happy Communicating!
Okay, after finding a solution (Verizon sending me a new card, rev.P8A), I finally received a response from Audiovox - the maker of the card. They initially refused to deal with me since they wanted Verizon to get involved, but eventually sent me this:
============================
Try this work around and this may help. THIS IS FOR IBM's
This is a workaround for IBM laptops for users who experience "Unknown USB Device" when installing a PC3220 or a PC5220
Following are the steps to be done for the workaround through the IBM BIOS.
1 - At power on, Press F1 to enter BIOS Setup
2 - choose "Config", choose "Power", scroll down to see "PCI Bus Power
Management". If it shows "Automatic" as the current setting, press F5 or F6 once to switch the setting to "Disable". (If it shows "Disable", the user
shouldn't have seen the issue at all!)
3 - F10 to "Save and Exit" from the BIOS.
============================
Guess what - IT WORKS! ON MY "OLD" CARD!
Sure, it sucks more power this way, but it's better than not having it work at all. The new revision of this card, P8A, aparently works in low-voltage/Centrino mode just fine, and I should have my card today or Monday to test it (depending on whether Verizon was able to ship it out last night... it was kind of late in the day, so I'm thinking Monday)
So - two solutions apparently:
1. get Verizon to swap out your card for P8A revision, or
2. follow the steps above.
Oh, incidentally, I found how you can tell which revision card you have, other than calling Verizon and having them look it up by part number. Open Mobile Connection Manager, click on Settings, then onthe About tab. Right there it is, next to "HW Version". Mine's a P7.
Enjoy!
============================
Try this work around and this may help. THIS IS FOR IBM's
This is a workaround for IBM laptops for users who experience "Unknown USB Device" when installing a PC3220 or a PC5220
Following are the steps to be done for the workaround through the IBM BIOS.
1 - At power on, Press F1 to enter BIOS Setup
2 - choose "Config", choose "Power", scroll down to see "PCI Bus Power
Management". If it shows "Automatic" as the current setting, press F5 or F6 once to switch the setting to "Disable". (If it shows "Disable", the user
shouldn't have seen the issue at all!)
3 - F10 to "Save and Exit" from the BIOS.
============================
Guess what - IT WORKS! ON MY "OLD" CARD!
Sure, it sucks more power this way, but it's better than not having it work at all. The new revision of this card, P8A, aparently works in low-voltage/Centrino mode just fine, and I should have my card today or Monday to test it (depending on whether Verizon was able to ship it out last night... it was kind of late in the day, so I'm thinking Monday)
So - two solutions apparently:
1. get Verizon to swap out your card for P8A revision, or
2. follow the steps above.
Oh, incidentally, I found how you can tell which revision card you have, other than calling Verizon and having them look it up by part number. Open Mobile Connection Manager, click on Settings, then onthe About tab. Right there it is, next to "HW Version". Mine's a P7.
Enjoy!
Re: Success!
Did you get a newer revision replacement from Verizon, or did you just use the workaround I got from Audiovox and posted above?gwmyers wrote:The 5220 card is installed and running perfectly! It was an adventure indeed, but at least one with a happy ending!
-
MadeInJapan
- Senior Member
- Posts: 936
- Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2004 11:02 pm
- Location: Knoxville, TN
I know you guys like the PCMCIA card in the Thinkpad, but with my T30 (not Centrino, but P-4, wireless) as well as my old 600E (not wireless except for a "B" card I have for it), I have been using a Verizon/Samsung 530A digital Cellular phone with a USB cable and connecting at 320kbs with no problem. Nice thing is that I only get charged for my minutes and minutes are free after 9PM on weekdays and all weekend!
Yes, there's that option, but for those who travel a lot and need 24/7 connections, the wireless internet cards are much more convenient. Not to mention, for $80/month flat fee you get unlimited usage so you can technically leave it on 24/7 if you like. I've been connected for hours on mine, during the day and all, without any problems. Could get a little expensive on your plan if you had to use it during the day and pay by the minute...
Okay, posting this just for the sake of the forum having complete history and resolution, in case someone searches it with a similar problem.
Today I received a replacement PC5220 AirCard from Verizon, revision P8A. Put it in the ThinkPad (T42p), and it worked instantly. Don't need the work-around I muscled out of Audiovox - it just works. The old card (rev. P7) needed the workaround to work, which I found out AFTER Verizon shipped out the P8A card to me, so either of these options should work if you can't get your 5220 card to work.
Today I received a replacement PC5220 AirCard from Verizon, revision P8A. Put it in the ThinkPad (T42p), and it worked instantly. Don't need the work-around I muscled out of Audiovox - it just works. The old card (rev. P7) needed the workaround to work, which I found out AFTER Verizon shipped out the P8A card to me, so either of these options should work if you can't get your 5220 card to work.
Don't know anything about those other cards you mentioned, but... keep in mind if you want to be on the Verizon high-speed wireless network (they call it wireless broadband, or 1xEVDO), you will need the PC5220 card, or Sierra Wireless 580. All other cards will only work on their older, slower network, which maxes out at about 144kbps.
Currently Verizon only has the high-speed network available in San Diego, Las Vegas, and Washington DC areas, but according to my sources at Verizon, they should have the rest of the country switched over to 1xEVDO by early next year (Q1).
Currently Verizon only has the high-speed network available in San Diego, Las Vegas, and Washington DC areas, but according to my sources at Verizon, they should have the rest of the country switched over to 1xEVDO by early next year (Q1).
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
-
WTB W701 Parts Express Card or CF/Express Card Board
by MisterB » Mon Jun 19, 2017 4:43 pm » in Marketplace - Forum Members only - 1 Replies
- 124 Views
-
Last post by MisterB
Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:57 pm
-
-
-
T60 1952A97. WIRELESS LAN VS WIRELESS WAN CONFUSION.
by slaterlp » Sat Mar 04, 2017 12:16 pm » in ThinkPad T6x Series - 17 Replies
- 1372 Views
-
Last post by ajkula66
Fri Mar 10, 2017 6:31 am
-
-
- 0 Replies
- 967 Views
-
Last post by AVN6293
Wed Feb 22, 2017 5:31 pm
-
-
SOLD: ThinkPad X200s upgraded to 201s motherboard and media card
by Edward Mendelson » Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:18 pm » in Marketplace - Forum Members only - 2 Replies
- 343 Views
-
Last post by Edward Mendelson
Sun Feb 26, 2017 7:12 pm
-
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests