Does Windows 7 support my T41's Wi-Fi adapter?

[schmidtj]

My trusty T41 (2GB RAM) is the only machine I have that is not running Windows 7.
According to the Windows 7 Compatability Tool my Wi-Fi adapter is not supported.
Everything else I have on the T41 should work with Windows 7 but without Aero
which is OK.
The Wi-Fi card is a "Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 3b Mini PCI adapter".
I've searched these forums and I found several posts that say a driver for
this wireless card is available through Windows Update.
Is this true?
If there is a good chance Windows Update will find the appropriate driver for my
"Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 3b Mini PCI adapter" I would like to try updating my T41
to Windows 7 but if it's not I'll just stay on XP Pro.
Any insight appreciated.
J

[craigmontHunter]

There should be a driver on windows update (hook up using a wired connection). Failing that, there is a 99.999999999%chance that the windows xp drivers will work. (they should, barring some unforeseen circumstance - I used those to get online to find the windows 7 drivers). Good luck - windows 7 on a t41 with 2gb ram = fast and efficient. the only thing you will be missing is aero.

[RealBlackStuff]

802.11b is a bit behind the time, and only supports WEP.
That's why W7 does not like it.
Get an 802.11b/g card like the Intel 2200BG.
If it has an IBM P/N or FRU, it will work without any hassle.

[craigmontHunter]

802.11b is a bit behind the time, and only supports WEP.
That's why W7 does not like it.
Get an 802.11b/g card like the Intel 2200BG.
If it has an IBM P/N or FRU, it will work without any hassle.

I ran my 2100b card with wpa and wpa2 without any problems, as long as the OS supported it (xp sp3/sp2 with a patch for wpa2) the biggest problem was the speed for file transfers. As I mentioned above, the xp driver should work, so if you are running a network that works now, try and see if it all works in windows 7.

[Tasurinchi]

The Wi-Fi card is a "Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 3b Mini PCI adapter".

I had Win7 in my ex-X31 using also a b only card and it worked with no problems at all. I don't remember by heart the model number though.

What I remember is that after the install I had to plug her via ethernet cable to my router in order for Windows update to pick up the correct updates and install the correct drivers. After that I use it for a couple of months with no issues. So I think in your case it will work.

Cheers

[schmidtj]

Thanks all. I ordered Windows 7 Pro and am going to give this a try.
I figure, with my rescue disks I can always revert back to XP if needed.
J

[schmidtj]

I thought I'd update this discussion with my actual experience.
All in all the install went well with some rough edges.
As far as the install itself it was uneventfull. The handfull of unknown devices were resolved automatically via windows update with the exception of ACPI support, the Wi-Fi adpater and Video card. My T41 has the ATI Radeon Mobility 9000. Windows 7 recognized it as a VGA adapter but did let me select a high resolution for the T41's LCD monitor. It did not detect my second monitor however. After I extablished a internet connection I updated the Wi-Fi adapter's driver via windows update manually and it worked fine.
I installed Lenovo System Update 4 (The Windows 7 Version) and it installed the HD Shock Detection (airbag) software, Power Management, Hot Key and one other program.
I still think ACPI is not correct as I can not choose "Sleep" as a shotdown option. Only Turn Off, Hibernate and Restart with "sleep" greyed out.
I made some progress on the video front by installing the Lenovo Radeon 9000 XP drivers. It now recognizes the adapter and does a better job of recognizing the monitor but I don't think it gives me the option to extend my desktop to my second monitor. I will continue to work on that.
As expected Aero is not enabled as my video adapter only has 32Mb.
So all in all my T41 on Windows 7 provides a workable platform. With 2GB of memory it is quite responsive.
On as aside. The machine orignally came with a 40GB HD which I subsequently updated to an 80GB. I installed Windows 7 on the now unused 40GB and moved the 80GB to the DVD bay (I already had the adapter) so I can essentially dual boot between Win 7 and Win XP if I need to by using the F12 key to select the Boot device at power up.