T61 Wireless Connection XP

[SCJACA]

Good morning,

I have recently purchased a Thinkpad T61 to upgrade from my T40.

The Thinkpad originally came with Windows Vista but I prefer XP so I installed a fresh copy of XP Professional and all the relevant drivers...

The problem is I can not connect to the Internet through the Windows wireless connection. I just keep getting Acquiring Network Address. The wireless network card is Intel (R) Pro/Wireless 3945ABG.

I have tried netsh winsock reset but this has not solved the issue.

Can someone be so kind as to help me solve this?

Many thanks

SCJACA

[dr_st]

Hi.

You will need to add more information as to what you tried and what works and what doesn't work for someone to be able to help you.

[SCJACA]

Not a problem. I shall do once I get home.

I have a WWAN driver installed so I think I will re format the hard drive and install the WLAN driver instead.

Can someone confirm if I need a WWAN or WLAN driver to connect to my router?

[Neil]

You need the WLAN driver, no need to format the HDD, just install the correct driver.
Probably this one: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloa ... D=DS003878

[SCJACA]

I have tried the driver you suggested and tried several others beforehand.

But still when trying to connect to the network it is stuck at Acquiring Network Address... Just refreshes over and over again...

I have tried several drivers... I have tried the cmd prompt of netsh winsock reset and restarted but nothing works...

If you require more information please can you advise and I will provide.

[SCJACA]

Here is my ipconfig when trying to connect to the wireless network

C:\Documents and Settings\>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 2:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

C:\Documents and Settings\>


This is it when I connect through the ethernet cable.

C:\Documents and Settings\>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 2:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.5
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1

C:\Documents and Settings\>

[RealBlackStuff]

Try to beg/steal/borrow another wifi card, preferably NOT an Intel 3945, which is a real POS.
If you are going to buy another one, you may as well go for wifi-N, such as the Intel 6100N, 6200N or 6205N or 6250N.
As they are half-size cards, you will also need a half-size bracket.
Something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Intel-6250- ... 0875800367

[dr_st]

Does it work when you try to connect to a different network?

Is there any encryption on the network?

Does it work from a different operating system, like a Linux LiveCD?

[farmall]

Thanks for the Ebay card link! Ordered one to try out.

[Ken Edmonds]

I've got a virtually identical problem with my T60 with the same network card. It worked perfectly for a month or so then wouldn't connect - stuck at Acquiring Network Address. If I give it a static IP address it works perfectly.

As I hadn't had it long and it was bugging me I did a complete Lenovo reinstall assuming it was a software problem. I guess it must be hardware as it made no difference at all. It's still bugging me but I haven't got around to trying a different card yet.

[farmall]

I got the 6250 (haven't installed yet, swiped the bracket for the other card) and an Intel 633ANHMW (came out of an Alienware) off Ebay. Supposedly there are some fake 6300 series so I prefer to buy used and save money too.

The 633ANHMW works MUCH better than the 3945. it's on my main, CentOS T61. Already had Middleton BIOS so no whitelist problems.

If you want the 3945 PM me your snail mail address and you can have it for troubleshooting. It works, but I'm not putting it back in a Thinkpad after seeing how much difference an upgrade makes.

Four palmrest screws, one keyboard screw, two card screws and three antenna leads are all that's standing between you and an upgrade. T61s are a breeze to work on.

I suggest booting off a Linux CD or USB key no matter what you choose, because if it works on Linux but not Windows then it's a software problem. One should always have a live alternative OS handy.

Also, try the official Intel driver and PROset software when using their cards on Windows.

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchR ... Connection

Don't forget to post your results to help the next fellow!