Upgrade wireless card to Intel 2200bg or Atheros?

[thinkpad1]

I'm wondering if I should switch my wireless card from a Dell (Broadcom) 1370 bg card to the Intel 2200 bg card or even Atheros (if Atheros, which one would it be?).

The reason I'm asking is that I also use Linux besides Windows XP and the Broadcom-based wireless cards seem to still have issues. I should be able to get by with the newest Linux editions which allegedly improved Broadcom support but who knows.

The Broadcom chipset is BCM4318 [AirForce One 54g] 802.11g Wireless LAN Controller.

Can anyone comment on this and/or this potential upgrade? Maybe it's not required or the benefit is not worth the cost? The card might be available locally but it's only ebay for a little over $20.

My other question is whether the Intel 2200bg card will even work in a T41. It is not listed in the options for wireless cards for that series as the T42 is the first Thinkpad series that includes that configuration. I want to confirm that the T41 supports the Intel 2200bg card and whether it would be a significant improvement over the current Broadcom card.

I read that there is an 1802 error when the computer POSTS or boots up. But, this problem has been prevented by the BIOS hack or some action because when I bought the Thinkpad, the previous owner 'fixed' that problem.

Can you just swap cards or do I have to do something in the BIOS?

Can someone advise? It might be useful to just have the extra wireless card anyway?

[ajkula66]

2200BG should work well in T41, as would pretty much any Atheros card as well.

It's a matter of personal preference, really. I would suggest any IBM-branded Atheros a/b/g or b/g, but if you have an Intel at hand that's fine too.

All of the above will work fine in any recent Linux distro.

Hope this helps.

[thinkpad1]

Hello, I was wondering if any IBM-branded Atheros a/b/g or b/g is a better choice over the Intel-branded wireless cards?

I researched my machine info and I discovered it is a ThinkPad T41 2373-THD based on the 2373-3HU.

Therefore, the stock wireless card that was probably in it was the 2100b card which is wireless b.

But, I wanted a card that is both compatible in Linux and that is wireless g plus as strong a signal as I can get.

So, I was thinking:

2915abg, 2200abg or the IBM-branded Atheros a/b/g. I read that Intel is going to stop support for the 2200abg soon but maybe that doesn't matter too much?

Anyway, which card out of those three do you recommend? Or can I even use any of those? I figure the 2200, for sure, right?

Thanks in advance for any replies/answers.

Oh yeah, which chipset is in the Atheros?

[closersource]

The ABG cards are rumored to have stronger signal than the BG cards. The Atheros has a AR5400X chipset. Linux support is better for Atheros cards.

[Trixie]

I can tell you from personal experience, if you're going to be using Linux you should go with the Intel card. I originally had an Atheros in my T42 and in Linux the wireless reception was at best, dismal, and at worst, non-existent. Switching to the Intel card fixed the problem

[thinkpad1]

Okay, I looked for one on ebay.

I looked for: Atheros AR5BMB-44, Chipset: Atheros AR5004X

I found one or the other.

Also, there were ones that were branded something other than IBM.

I also found 'IBM 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter II' but it had this: Atheros AR5004GX chipset.

Would that do?

Here are just a couple of examples:

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Thinkpad-Mini-P ... 2|294%3A50


http://cgi.ebay.com/11abg-Wireless-LAN- ... .m20.l1116


The Think Wiki page show this:
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/IBM_11a/b ... Adapter_II

So, I'm all confused now. I want to choose one that works the 'first time' and then I have to find a seller who will ship to me (in Canada).

Are any of those sellers (and the wireless mini-PCI card) look any good?

If you (or anyone) know of a seller of this card, please post or send (via pm?) the (ebay?) link? Thanks.

[thinkpad1]

I can tell you from personal experience, if you're going to be using Linux you should go with the Intel card. I originally had an Atheros in my T42 and in Linux the wireless reception was at best, dismal, and at worst, non-existent. Switching to the Intel card fixed the problem

Which intel card?

The 2200abg? I think a 2915abg is compatible, too?

I just think either would be better than the Broadcom (Dell 1370) wifi card in there now! Supposedly, the support is better but I want something that works 'out of the box' with a LiveCD. I tried a Proxim Orinoco card and although, it is wireless b, I was able to scan and find the network immediately! I couldn't do that with the current Broadcom mini-PCI card that supports wireless g! Many sources state that the connectivity with the Broadcom card is unstable and encourage using ndiswrapper which I want to avoid. The seller swapped the wifi card from an IBM bg (or abg?) because he couldn't get it to work. I was naiive and didn't think of asking to include it or figure I might be able to get it to work so I accepted the Dell (Broadcom) card.

Oh well. I thought for $30, it is worth an easy wireless connection in Linux so I want to try an Intel and/or Atheros card. I can't find one locally or in-store so I have to buy it used and/or on ebay?

[ajkula66]

2915ABG is compatible as well.

My experiences in Linux (which I use on a daily basis) have been the exact opposite from what the other poster has reported, and I find Atheros-based cards to perform a lot better.

As for buying one, why don't you post a WTB ad in the forum's Marketplace? I'm sure your issues will get resolved quickly.

My $0.02 only...

[freerange]

I can check what I have laying around here after a few T4x rehabs I did. I know somewhere I have a Intel PRO/Wireless 2200bg and an Atheros card out of a T41. I could swap cards with you if you wanted (only because I need to toss something back in them when I list them for sale- I don't care what). Maybe international shipping would kill the deal though... Too bad because I'm only like 90mi. away.

I forget what's in my T42 I just used. Whatever it is, Ubuntu likes it. That's about as far as I go with Linux.

[thinkpad1]

I can check what I have laying around here after a few T4x rehabs I did. I know somewhere I have a Intel PRO/Wireless 2200bg and an Atheros card out of a T41. I could swap cards with you if you wanted (only because I need to toss something back in them when I list them for sale- I don't care what). Maybe international shipping would kill the deal though... Too bad because I'm only like 90mi. away.

I forget what's in my T42 I just used. Whatever it is, Ubuntu likes it. That's about as far as I go with Linux.

Well, I am interested still. I don't see how international shipping would be that much. Mini PCI wireless cards don't weight that much.

The seller of my laptop swapped cards and took out one of the 11abg cards ('forget which one) and instead put in a Dell-branded 1370 Mini PCI card. I believe it is a Broadcom card and the info for that card is probably something like this:

Broadcom Corporation BCM4318 [AirForce One 54g] 802.11g Wireless LAN Controller (rev 02)

Unforunately, you need the BIOS hack to use it and the seller must have done it beforehand because everything was working and set up when I picked up the laptop and bought it. It is fine in Windows (XP, anyway) and works fine in XP. It probably would work okay in Linux but the support is probably not as good as with the Atheros and Intel-based cards. Also, some Linux users claim that the Broadcom wifi cards are not that reliable and that the stability improves if you use ndiswrapper. Like I said, I don't want to get into all that and if the stock Atheros and/or Intel cards (which are usually in Thinkpads) is better in Linux machines then I want one of those mini PCI wifi c ards!

If there is any way to work something out, I would be interested in trying. It would be interesting, anyway, what models of wifi cards you have in your Thinkpads. I found that I needed to know the exact FRU (Part) numbers and model number since there were variations and vendors for some of the cards.

The Atheros cards seem like they have the most(?) or best(?) support. I tried a Proxim Orinoco PCMCIA card and it connected immediately in a LiveCD but I was only borrowing that card to test. Besides, the mini PCI cards are said to be better suited and offer better reception.

[Trixie]

I'm not going to try and convince you to go with the Intel card but if you decide to go with the Atheros you might want to consider getting BOTH, then you can compare them for yourself and not rely on hearsay.

[thinkpad1]

I'm not going to try and convince you to go with the Intel card but if you decide to go with the Atheros you might want to consider getting BOTH, then you can compare them for yourself and not rely on hearsay.

I definitely believe you. Actually, I thought of buying BOTH, ironically. As long as I can get one each at a decent price as these are still outdated technology and old cards.

I have been researching, too and to be honest, I'm somewhat tired of looking. The problem with Atheros cards is there are so many chipsets and after googling and checking the Ubuntu forums, there are A LOT of Atheros cards that seem to offer poor to HORRIBLE support. Maybe it depends on which chipset you get? Also, one of the linux wireless web pages I found has a chart and many of the Atheros cards of several variations show poor support (colour coded) so it seems you really need to know what chipset and version you're getting.

As for the Intel-based cards, the support at least as stated is much better. Also, there aren't as many versions. I think there's only 3 to really look at?: 2100b, 2200bg and 2915abg, at least as far as my Thinkpad T41 goes. I don't know what the 2915abg is all about, though as it uses the same '2200' driver in Linux so it seems there might be one extra feature. Other than that, it's the same card? There's way more 2200bg cards available, too, so maybe easier to find a good deal? I did read something recently about Intel ceasing support on those cards so I hope that doesn't pose any problems.

However, with saying all that, any of those are bound to be better in Linux than the current card in my machine, the Dell-branded 1370, Broadcom mini PCI card. Even several Ubuntu posts that are only a year old consist of people saying how lousy they are in Linux and many had problems getting them working - even in kernels as recent as 2.6.27. I think the bcm43 drivers are in a lot of distros now but I don't want to take any chances and would like a backup wifi card anyway just in case I have any issues/problems. I don't want to fight with the card as I just want it to work and if it can work in a LiveCD (that displays REALLY GOOD support to me!) then that is a bonus. I expect the Intel wireless drivers to work without much trouble and maybe some of the Atheros ones, too.

Thanks for the replies and keep it coming if you have any opinion on this! It really helps me decide. Also, I want to use WPA encryption so I don't know if that matters at all. I suppose not? I think all those cards support WPA?

[freerange]

Sorry for my delay. I'll still need to dig into my parts and check the models and FRU #'s for you (just had some extra long days at work lately and get home really late). If it's anything you want to swap for and it helps you out- I'll do all I can. Like I said, I really don't mind what card is in these when I sell them, as long as it works.

Oops- just read that^. I don't mean to imply that I don't care about what I build/repair/sell, it's just that I really don't mind which "working" card is in there as long as it functions as it should and allows the owner to download the drivers from Lenovo.

[thinkpad1]

Sorry for my delay. I'll still need to dig into my parts and check the models and FRU #'s for you (just had some extra long days at work lately and get home really late). If it's anything you want to swap for and it helps you out- I'll do all I can. Like I said, I really don't mind what card is in these when I sell them, as long as it works.

Oops- just read that^. I don't mean to imply that I don't care about what I build/repair/sell, it's just that I really don't mind which "working" card is in there as long as it functions as it should and allows the owner to download the drivers from Lenovo.

That's cool. 'Makes sense. The Broadcom card works fine in Windows and probably works in Linux if you work on it enough. I just thought it was worth it to me to get a compatible Intel and/or Atheros card that is even better supported in Linux that is 'made' for the Thinkpad.

I should maybe check my BIOS? I read on the Think wiki that the T40 requires a BIOS update to a certain version or above if using the 2915abg card so I would assume the T41 would require the same?

Anyway, take your time and be rest assured even the Dell/Broadcom card works and it seems to run just fine in Windows (XP).

[freerange]

Ok, got home on time for a change and found one of the cards. It's one I don't need so we wouldn't have to worry about swapping cards. Here's the info:

Product MPN Anatel/Ambit Microsystems Corporation/Cisco Aironet MP1350
MPN (FRU) 91P7406
Key Features
Form Factor Internal Adapter
Interface Compatibility Mini-PCI
WLAN Standards IEEE 802.11b
Wireless
Operating Frequency 2.4 GHz
802.11b Data Rates 11 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 1 Mbps
Operating Channels 802.11b/g: 11 (North America), 13 (Europe), 14 (Japan)
Modulation CCK • DBPSK • DQPSK • DSSS
Other Features
Package Qty. 1

I can't remember if this was out of my T41, or on the board I got to swap into it to fix the GPU problem (It was out of a R51). Either way, if it helps for your situation, just let me know. If not, I'll pop open the T41 and T42 and check what's inside.

Edit- Come to think of it, I'm almost 100% positive this was the card from the T41. When I saw that the R51 board had an Intel card, I used that to keep everything "true Centrino".

[thinkpad1]

Ok, got home on time for a change and found one of the cards. It's one I don't need so we wouldn't have to worry about swapping cards. Here's the info:

Product MPN Anatel/Ambit Microsystems Corporation/Cisco Aironet MP1350
MPN (FRU) 91P7406
Key Features
Form Factor Internal Adapter
Interface Compatibility Mini-PCI
WLAN Standards IEEE 802.11b
Wireless
Operating Frequency 2.4 GHz
802.11b Data Rates 11 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 1 Mbps
Operating Channels 802.11b/g: 11 (North America), 13 (Europe), 14 (Japan)


I can't remember if this was out of my T41, or on the board I got to swap into it to fix the GPU problem (It was out of a R51). Either way, if it helps for your situation, just let me know. If not, I'll pop open the T41 and T42 and check what's inside.

Edit- Come to think of it, I'm almost 100% positive this was the card from the T41. When I saw that the R51 board had an Intel card, I used that to keep everything "true Centrino".

To be honest, I am curious what your other cards are. From what I've read, though, that Cisco card sounds like it is among the stock cards in T41 Thinkpads. The Linux support is there, too, I think. It is wireless b, though, but read it supports WPA encryption although that needs special drivers?

[freerange]

Here's another one-

IBM - WIRELESS MINI PCI CARD 802.11B/G INTEL 2200BG WIRELESS CARD (FRU 93P3483).

KEY FEATURES :
FORM FACTOR : INTERNAL ADAPTER
INTERFACE COMPATIBILITY : MINI-PCI
WLAN STANDARDS : IEEE 802.11G/B

WIRELESS :
OPERATING FREQUENCY : 2.4 GHZ
802.11B DATA RATES : 11 MBPS, 5.5 MBPS, 2 MBPS, 1 MBPS
802.11G DATA RATES : 54 MBPS, 48 MBPS, 36 MBPS, 24 MBPS, 28 MBPS, 12 MBPS, 9 MBPS, 6 MBPS, 5.5 MBPS, 2 MBPS, 1 MBPS
OPERATING CHANNELS : 802.11B/G: 11 (NORTH AMERICA), 13 (EUROPE), 14 (JAPAN)
MODULATION : OFDM • CCK • QPSK • BPSK • DBPSK • DQPSK • 16QAM • 64QAM • DSSS

I'll have to grab my T42 from work (a few people there want to buy it) and see what it has.

[hki]

I do not want to hijack the thread, but I have a question about Intel 2200bg cards recommended here. The connection to router drops periodically if there is no traffic between the router and pc. Intel suggests to turn off the power management features in the diver if this problem occurs and blames the router firmware. I have tried that and it does not seem to have an effect. I have resolved the issue by constantly pinging my router's ip to keep the connection going.

Do you have this issue with your cards and if not which drivers are you using. I do not remember driver version, but I am using a diver from Intel website. Maybe I should switch to Ibm drivers even if they could be older?

Thanks for any feedback guys and sorry again for hijacking the thread.

[freerange]

I can't say I've had that problem with my Intel 2200bg. I've always used the IBM Thinkpad drivers in my usual OS though.

The only time I didn't run the IBM drivers was with Windows 7 (which I love), and installed some genarics Microsioft listed (I assume they were Intel). I had no issues with that either. Although maybe 7 corrected it somehow.

[thinkpad1]

I do not want to hijack the thread, but I have a question about Intel 2200bg cards recommended here. The connection to router drops periodically if there is no traffic between the router and pc. Intel suggests to turn off the power management features in the diver if this problem occurs and blames the router firmware. I have tried that and it does not seem to have an effect. I have resolved the issue by constantly pinging my router's ip to keep the connection going.

Do you have this issue with your cards and if not which drivers are you using. I do not remember driver version, but I am using a diver from Intel website. Maybe I should switch to Ibm drivers even if they could be older?

Thanks for any feedback guys and sorry again for hijacking the thread.

Think nothing of it! It's all good. Any opinion/perspective on any of these cards is totally welcome. I've read good and bad things on the Intel cards and I guess the only way to find out for my own experience is to try one.

On another note, my Broadcom card works and I got it to work in Linux. I had to use the wireless program, ceni, though.

It already works okay in Windows (XP).

Both the Intel one and the Atheros are said to be easier to install/use, though, in Linux so I wanted to see. Is it possible your Intel card has become defective? If not that, then the router? I don't think a connection should drop periodically like that but I am only guessing.

[thinkpad1]

Here's another one-

IBM - WIRELESS MINI PCI CARD 802.11B/G INTEL 2200BG WIRELESS CARD (FRU 93P3483).

KEY FEATURES :
FORM FACTOR : INTERNAL ADAPTER
INTERFACE COMPATIBILITY : MINI-PCI
WLAN STANDARDS : IEEE 802.11G/B

WIRELESS :
OPERATING FREQUENCY : 2.4 GHZ
802.11B DATA RATES : 11 MBPS, 5.5 MBPS, 2 MBPS, 1 MBPS
802.11G DATA RATES : 54 MBPS, 48 MBPS, 36 MBPS, 24 MBPS, 28 MBPS, 12 MBPS, 9 MBPS, 6 MBPS, 5.5 MBPS, 2 MBPS, 1 MBPS
OPERATING CHANNELS : 802.11B/G: 11 (NORTH AMERICA), 13 (EUROPE), 14 (JAPAN)
MODULATION : OFDM • CCK • QPSK • BPSK • DBPSK • DQPSK • 16QAM • 64QAM • DSSS

I'll have to grab my T42 from work (a few people there want to buy it) and see what it has.

That's one of the Intel cards I wanted to try. Is that an extra card for you?

[freerange]

Is that an extra card for you?

I have 3 cards and 2 T4x series Thinkpads that need them, so I have one extra. It's up to you which one you want to try out. I have 2 of the Anatel cards and one Intel. One of my T4x's might be on it's way to a new home, so I could put one of the Anatel cards in there and have some time to ship the other card(s). Let me know what you'd like to try. I can ship one of each and then you could just ship back the one you don't want. If you want to just swap out the card you already have with one of mine that you're trying out, that's fine too. I like having a spare card around if possible, but don't really care too much what it is.

[thinkpad1]

I have 3 cards and 2 T4x series Thinkpads that need them, so I have one extra. It's up to you which one you want to try out. I have 2 of the Anatel cards and one Intel. One of my T4x's might be on it's way to a new home, so I could put one of the Anatel cards in there and have some time to ship the other card(s). Let me know what you'd like to try. I can ship one of each and then you could just ship back the one you don't want. If you want to just swap out the card you already have with one of mine that you're trying out, that's fine too. I like having a spare card around if possible, but don't really care too much what it is.

I totally agree. It never hurts to have a spare card. Well, I would like the card you listed recently:

*IBM - WIRELESS MINI PCI CARD 802.11B/G INTEL 2200BG WIRELESS CARD (FRU 93P3483)*

That one, I probably don't have to do the 1802 BIOS error fix. I believe that FRU number indicates it's a genuine IBM-based card and so it should read it fine.

That's the Intel one?

What FRU number is on the Anatel?

[tomh009]

Well, I would like the card you listed recently:

*IBM - WIRELESS MINI PCI CARD 802.11B/G INTEL 2200BG WIRELESS CARD (FRU 93P3483)*

That one, I probably don't have to do the 1802 BIOS error fix. I believe that FRU number indicates it's a genuine IBM-based card and so it should read it fine.

No guarantee of that -- if the card is newer than your BIOS, you'll still need the 1802 fix even if it is a genuine IBM card. But it's an easy, reliable fix, so no need to worry there.