HELP WIRELESS Driver Problems After XP Install-updated w/pic

[bobohead]

Hi,
If I dont fix this problem, i might have to set this laptop on fire. My friend gave me his laptop (who was given by HIS coworker) and swears theres wireless hardware in it.

Im using a T42 Thinkpad 2374 4WU. After reinstalling XP, I had a crap load of drivers to update, and the one I have the most problems with is the wireless driver. I have had no problem installing the ethernet driver, which works fine after installing and plugging in my cable. But it seems that its just ONLY an ethernet driver and doesnt seem to also have the wireless part along with it. The driver or hardware Im using that seemed to work for ethernet only in device manager is called Intel pro/1000 MT Mobile Connection. The word MOBILE in it doesnt give me any wireless at all.

After going to the lenovo website, and downloading all those drivers from here:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... y=2374-4WU

I've installed all of them to try out, and it didnt seem to detect any new hardware installed, or have any pop ups detecting that a new device is there.
I am friggin lost and frusrated.. In device manager, i dont even know which one to select, which company the wireless hardwares from, which exact hardware it is..

HELP!

Admin edit: Shortened URL to prevent horizontal scrolling

[sjthinkpader]

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks for the very detailed description of your problem.

Check the BIOS under networks and see if the wireless is "enabled" or "hidden".

[rkawakami]

If I dont fix this problem, i might have to set this laptop on fire.

Howdy, neighbor! Before you do, throw it my way and maybe I can use some of the pieces inside .

The wireless card is a MiniPCI type which is located just underneath the trackpoint buttons; you'd have to remove the palmrest to access it. As delivered,

Intel 802.11b wireless

that's what is supposed to be in the system. However, a previous owner may have pulled that out and replaced it with a different card (or maybe didn't even put one in). Assuming that your BIOS reports an enabled card ("Config/Network") and you don't see anything in Device Manager's "Network Adapters", then you may be missing it.

The ethernet interface is built into the motherboard on the T42 and doesn't have anything to do with the wireless system.

edit: Hee hee... an all-San Jose thread so far...

[NorrisCell]

Hee hee... an all-San Jose thread so far...

And then Norris comes in and messes everything up

The one thing I have done in the past is to download two or more of the available wireless packages (One B, one B/G, and so on) if you don't have luck at first. It can be a pain, but if the drivers are the problem, you can try another package and uninstall it if the card doesn't show up after a reboot. Usually, the drivers make the card visible right away, so you will know when you find the correct one. Naturally, what people have listed above about checking the BIOS should be done first.

[sktn77a]

In Device Manager you should see a wireless network card (under "Network Adapters") or a yellow question mark/exclamation mark ("Unknown Device"). If you have neither of these, it sounds like you have a bad or no wireless card. The only true way to find out is to remove the keyboard and look.

[bobohead]

thank u for ur responses folks..
update:

So i checked bios, it says wireless is ENABLED.

Initialy after XP install, the Network Controller has a yellow question mark + ethernet controller + display drivers, audio, etc etc. Does network controller = wireless?

Also, after reading some of ur posts, i decided to open up the mofo to see if i really do have a wireless card but $hit, i got stuck at the last screw to take out the palm rest.. know why? cuz 1 effing screw wont budge! Any ideas to get this little booger out? It keeps turning and turning but wont pop out like the rest

see pic below:

edit: Got the last screw out, tere IS a wireless card. brb for another update

[virge]

You might want to put a Picture warning in the title of the thread as per the forum rules.

That last screw you are referring to is mostly smooth with only a small portion at the tip threaded. It won't just back out after more than a few turns. Just flip the laptop right side up and tap it a bit and it should fall out.

[sjthinkpader]

For the intel card, you may need to run the install utility (iproinst.exe) in the \driver\win\wlanint2\Apps\x32 folder. Reread the installation instructions in the .txt file posted in the driver download page.

[bobohead]

okay cool beans.. after i disconnected the mini pci, and put it back in, screw everything back up.. it seems like the system detected the wireless card. There is now a yellow marker called Network Controller. I updated the Network Controller with this driver that was already in XP called "Intel Pro/Wireless Lan 2100 3B Mini PCI Adapter #2 " Is there a diff between this driver and the one that says " IntelPro/Wireless Lan 2100 3A Mini PCI ?" Theres either A or B in the name.

.. so looks like step 1 is done in detecting.. step 2 - getting it to WORK.

After it installs the wireless network connection icon into the Network connection folder, there is also the Network Bridge MAC Bridge Miniport icon +shows the existing the Ethernet Local Area COnnection Icon (which uses the Intel Pro 1000 MT Mobile Connection).

The problem NOW, is 1) Ethernet doesnt work anymore, matter of fact it stopped working this morning before all events of me dismantling the computer with the wireless card . WHen the cable is plugged in, it says Local Area Connection is plugged and enabled. But i cant browse anything, just gives me a blank page in IE or Firefox. And now that I do have that Network bridge Mac icon, it also says connected when cable is plugged in, and vice versa when not plugged in. Any help on this? Need me to clearfy anything here?

2) Wireless card is detected, BUT wont give me any wireless signals bc it says " Wireless Connection Unavailable" The little icon of the screen with the little monitors has an X on it. What gives! Just when I thought I got it fixed .. it doesnt seem that way.. any ideas? Did i do the right thing so far? Correct driver? In properties, the box that says " Wireless device off(radio off) is NOT checked btw, so that means i have it on.

And yes i have wireless on in Bios.

THanks 4 the help again.

[Harryc]

On the keyboard hit FN-F5, then turn the wireless radio on.

[bobohead]

On the keyboard hit FN-F5, then turn the wireless radio on.

Its already on, the little light flashes .

[Harryc]

After it installs the wireless network connection icon into the Network connection folder...

Right click on this icon and select 'status', then click on the 'support' tab. Tell us everything it says there. Also run ipconfig /all from a command prompt and cut and paste the results here. Is this wireless network encrypted? Do other wireless devices work on it?

Code: Select all

ipconfig /all

[bobohead]

Hi again, didnt have chance to get back to this forum..
heres a screen shot of the ipconfig /all . The ethernet cable option works fine now bc i disconnected the bridge from the ethernet adapter. Hopefully someone here can fix my wireless problems!! =(

1) This first pic is when the ethernet cable is disconnected:



2) this pic is when its connected:



3) This pic is when i try to fix the wireless and setup a new connection with it, this window pops up saying my wireless hardware is disconnected or something. how do i fix this? i think this may be the key to the problem..

[sktn77a]

That's strange - IPCONFIG isn't showing up the Intel 3b wireless card (I've never heard of an intel 3A card). Some of these older intel cards have fried in utero so you could have a bad/flaky card.

[bobohead]

That's strange - IPCONFIG isn't showing up the Intel 3b wireless card (I've never heard of an intel 3A card). Some of these older intel cards have fried in utero so you could have a bad/flaky card.

HMM.. it cant be fried right? it was just used recently by the past owner.

Should i take it out the wireless card and adjust something? use the blower to blow any dust? loose?

Any other ideas? Thank u so far though! I really want this fixed. Thnx