T23 no longer detects any wireless networks

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selvan777 · #1 Post by **selvan777** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:21 am

I'm having to use an 802.11g Wireless USB Adapter to get connected to my router because the factory Actiontec wireless network adapter stopped finding any wireless networks when it used to detect 6.

Can someone help me trouble shoot this from scratch?

I followed the trouble shooting guide at: Lenovo Support & downloads - Troubleshooting wireless networking issues - ThinkPad
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-50402 and am stuck at step 3 where I check for association to an access point.

The card's State is stuck at "Associating",
the Current Tx Rate is 2,
the Current Channel changes every few seconds,
the Thriughput Tx and Rx remains at 0,
and, of course, it's not connected.

Thanks for any help.

Selvan

Raceboy · #2 Post by **Raceboy** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 1:35 pm

Haven't you considered upgrading your Actiontec old wifi card to something newer, like 2200BG or 2915?
This way you will get speed boost and WPA/WPA2 capability together with less problems.

#3 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 1:50 pm

PC Doctor for DOS contains some simple wireless diagnostics. You might want to run them and see what it turns up.

ref: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 070#438070

Run the three tests under "Diagnostics / Wireless LAN" and the "Interactive Tests /Actiontec Wireless Radio" test. If no errors are found then turn your attention to Windows configuration issues. If you are not able to "see" any networks that you know should be there, then along with a hardware problem (i.e., your card has died), you could be having a software issue (card has been turned off, the driver isn't being loaded, etc.).

selvan777 · #4 Post by **selvan777** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 8:43 pm

Ray, congradulations on over 5000 posts...wow!!!

I ran all three test under "Diagnostics / Wireless LAN" and they passed. But the "Interactive Tests /Actiontec Wireless Radio" test failed saying it could not find an access point.

After reboot I went to the Device Manager/Properties/ General tab and it says "This device is working properly" so I guess the card is turned on and the driver is being loaded. In the Advanced tab there are many variables that I've tinkered with blindly.

Before considering upgrading the card, I'd like to completely rule out it being a Windows Configuration issue or any other issue you think it may be.

Thanks for the help.

Selvan

#5 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 9:21 pm

Hmm... "could not find an access point" means several things:

- the receiver in the wireless card is defective
- the antennas are defective
- there's no access point (AP) within range

Seeing as how you can access your system via the USB adapter, that eliminates the third reason. I seriously doubt that both antenna leads are bad (or disconnected

), so that leaves you with the possibility of a bum Actiontec card. If PC Doctor can't see your AP, then Windows is not getting in your way.

If you want to try troubleshooting within Windows, then you can try removing the card from the system and let Windows "discover" it again. To do this:

- launch Windows Device Manager
- expand the Network adapters line
- right-click the Actiontec adapter and choose Uninstall
- after the system finishes removing the hardware, click the topmost line (your system's name), click Action on the menu bar and then "Scan for hardware changes"

This should re-install the card and load the drivers. You should have to re-specify your AP's SSID and encryption key in the wireless configuration menu.

selvan777 · #6 Post by **selvan777** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 1:56 am

Tried the re-install, no help. I reseated the card with the antennas attached and that was no help either.

Would you say that my only option now is to replace it? If so, what would you replace it with for speed and reliability, and where would you get it?

I watched the video here:

Lenovo Support & downloads - Mini PCI removal and installation movie - ThinkPad T20, T21, T22, T23
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-45923

But it doesn't show the removal of the antennas, could you guide me on that please? My card is FRU P/N: 12P3863 with one black and one gray antenna (2 antennas).

Thanks.

Selvan

#7 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 7:29 am

Just gently pull off those cables from the card. Pull them straight up between your nails and try not to wiggle them too much.
Then push the clamps on either side of the card out a little bit, and it will 'pop up' a little bit.
Remove the flat modem cable, and pull the card out.
Replace with e.g. Broadcom BCM94306 from e.g. eBay.
Drivers for it at www.belkin.com

All replacement cards (unless you get another ACTIONTEC) have NO modem, so you will lose that capability.

selvan777 · #8 Post by **selvan777** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:42 am

No modem! So no dial-up and no Windows Fax Services? I'm not sure I can do without, I do periodically use them both.

I'm going to try reseating both the antennas and run the PC Doctor Radio test again.

Are you serious, Actiontec is the only manufacturer with a combo card for this T23?

#9 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:08 pm

There MAY be others but I'm not aware of them.
AFAIK they're only made by Actiontec/Ambit.

selvan777 · #10 Post by **selvan777** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:50 pm

You probably knew this but reseating the antennas did not do a thing. I can't really give up having the modem so I guess I'll have to risk a used one from e-bay (14 day DOA) for $21. I can't believe IBM wants $374 for it!!!

91P7661 IBM Wireless/Modem Combo used - eBay (item 380071174202 end time Dec-07-08 11:39:50 PST)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0071174202

Admin edit: Shortened URL to prevent horizontal scrolling.

#11 Post by **rkawakami** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:56 pm

The FRU seems to be correct for a 56K modem/802.11b WiFi adapter, but that eBay auction's photo definitely does NOT show that type of card.

I might have one of those cards in my stockpile at home but I won't be able to get to them until later tonight. If I have a working one, I'll PM you.

selvan777 · #12 Post by **selvan777** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 7:06 pm

Well, thank you Sir!!!

#13 Post by **rkawakami** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 4:17 am

@selvan777: Have a working card; PM sent.

selvan777 · #14 Post by **selvan777** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:53 am

PM replied... let's do it!

selvan777 · #15 Post by **selvan777** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 9:04 am

Hi Ray,

Got the IBM High Rate Wireless LAN MiniPCI Combo Card yesterday, plugged it in and got connected right away using Windows.

Thanks.

Selvan

T23 no longer detects any wireless networks

T23 no longer detects any wireless networks

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