New to thinkpads Please help me resolve my question

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FrozenRain00 · #1 Post by **FrozenRain00** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 10:27 pm

So we have an IBM ThinkPad T21 laptop. And I'm quite new to these things- In fact I've dealt with Dell Laptops my whole life so I have no idea what to do. I installed Windows XP Home edition onto it and it works great thus far- however, I need to activate it as well as run updates for the ThinkPad. However... I have no idea how to connect this thing wirelessly. With normal laptops you pop in the wireless card and than install the drivers for it and find your connection- than Walla you’re on! With this ThinkPad however I found that doing that procedure does not work.

It does have two ports- one on top of the other for what I would assume would be a wireless card- but I can't get it to work and I've had very little luck finding out answers elsewhere online.

Do I have to buy a special wireless card made specifically for ThinkPad’s- or install something special? Please help me resolve this issue.

#2 Post by **rkawakami** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 10:41 pm

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

The T21 does not require any "special" wireless card; any PCMCIA (PC Card) Wifi card should work. There may be a specific way to install the drivers/software/card; for that, read the manual provided with the wireless card. Most cards I've dealt with (Netgear, D-Link, Linksys) have a particular order in which they must be installed (software first, then plug the card in).

What is the manufacturer and model of the card you are trying to install?

There is always a possibility that the PCMCIA slots are damaged. For that, possibly the easiest thing to do is plug in a flash card reader and see if Windows recognizes it. If it doesn't, then there's a diagnostic program you can download (PC Doctor) which has a (limited) test for the PCMCIA interface.

FrozenRain00 · #3 Post by **FrozenRain00** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 10:47 pm

Well it's good to hear that everything I have I can use- saves me time and money- *phew* I know that both slots are not damaged because it does recognize the card when it's in the port- it just doesn't make the connection that it pertains to the software for it- or that it is even a wireless card... just tries to install it using the windows installation guide.

The wireless card is a Belkin N1 Wireless Card Model Number F5D8011.

#4 Post by **rkawakami** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 11:07 pm

Found the Belkin F5D8011 User Manual and it appears that you:

- load the install CD and follow the installation wizard (important note from manual: "Install the software before inserting the card")
- plug in the N1 card
- choose "install software automatically"

After which you have to go through the usual configuration of the wireless security details.

FrozenRain00 · #5 Post by **FrozenRain00** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 11:28 pm

Well... I did everything as you said and it's still not working. I get the belkin wireless card software up and running but it still won't read the actual wireless card. I have no idea what's wrong. Ugh this is frustrating. I also uninstalled it and reinstalled it and still no luck

#6 Post by **carbon_unit** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 5:58 am

Have you uninstalled the "unknown device" in device manager?

dsigma6 · #7 Post by **dsigma6** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:20 am

Definitely listen to carbon_unit. It sucks that Windows requires such hand-holding, but a working card beats your current situation.

I loved the "walla" comment!

FrozenRain00 · #8 Post by **FrozenRain00** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:41 am

Hmmm... that's an interesting idea.. I had no idea that you could even do that. Won't it mess things up in the future if I do? Because than I will have no idea if a device is being recognized or not.
And will it fix my problem than? I never had to do it on my laptops i just loaded the card and searched for a connection and it was done.

Either way, how exactly does one do that?

Thanks!

dsigma6 · #9 Post by **dsigma6** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:19 am

Except for build quality, dependability, and just being awesome, a ThinkPad is the same as any other Windows laptop you've used. You've got to shake the idea that it's somehow a different animal.

FrozenRain00 · #10 Post by **FrozenRain00** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:46 am

But unfortunately I'm having more trouble with this one- I just wish I could get it working.

So I'm looking at the Device Manager settings and there are yellow question marks next to other devices- and under that is the unknown device-with a question mark...

Have anything to do with the problem? and how do I fix

ErikD · #11 Post by **ErikD** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:05 am

The devices marked with the yellow exclamation mark have no drivers installed. It is likely that one of those is the wireless card, which would explain why it doesn't work. Get the proper drivers installed for those devices, and then try the wireless again.

Do they give you any clue which devices they are?

dickchailey · #12 Post by **dickchailey** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:29 pm

I gave up using belkin wireless cards. I found the software was causing 100% processor utilisation and the card driver is not available without installing the rest of the software. I now use Netgear cards without installing the software - plug in and let windows find the driver on the CD and let windows manage the wireless networks. Works every time.

New to thinkpads Please help me resolve my question

New to thinkpads Please help me resolve my question

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