T40, original Cisco Mini PCI Card, Error 1802

[vanhoofen]

Hi all,

I recently tried to solve a friends problem with a Thinkpad T40. She wanted the Thinkpad to connect via wireless lan to a router (Netgear WGR 614). The T40 runs on Windows XP and has a build-in cisco mini pci card (802.11b).

At my home it was no problem to connect the T40 with a different router (using WPA-PSK). Also, the Netgear WGR 614 does work with my dell notebook.

But when I tried to connect the T40 with the netgear router, it did not work. I think I used WPA2-PSK at that time, so this may be the reason for that. Anyway, at some point I had to restart Windows on the T40 and now it shows the 1802 error. But: I did not change the hardware!

I read about the error. I have a boot cd now with the "no-1802" program. But the system does not reach the boot sequence. Loading "Setup Defaults" does not help and there is no option to disable WLAN (or the mini pci card) in the bios (I checked a dozen times by now).

I removed the battery pack for several hours, tried to start again -> 1802.

Do you know of any option to get this thing to work again without uninstalling the mini pci card?
I really don´t want to open the notebook and the Hardware Maintenance Manual tells me, I would have to break some screw protection caps to get rid of the palm rest. I don´t like this.

Any help is appreciated,
Thanks,
Stefan

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the Forum.
To remove the 1802 error you'll have to remove the wifi card first, there's no way around that.
Only then can the system boot and apply the hack.
On the other hand, that Cisco card is pretty old and only 802.11B. It may simply have died, which happens to all of us
I'd say time to replace it.
Either an Intel 2200BG, 3945ABG, or better, an Atheros-based wifi card with an IBM FRU or Part number.

[vanhoofen]

Hi, thanks for your reply! Ok, then the card has to be removed. I will consider your suggestions for a new one!
Best,
Stefan