Thinkpads Forum

I'm hesitant to make this thread...

But, I did search and I have read through the previous threads, but I can't seem to find the answer to my problems.

I have a T60, with Intel wireless. I have done nothing to update the T60, aside from Windows Update, and updating virus protection...but nothing in regard to updating the Wireless drivers, etc...

I am currently posting this from my mom's very old Dell latitude with a Linksys wireless adapter and router, and the internet is running just fine.

Using the adapter with my Thinkpad works just fine too - so I know that it's a problem with the Intel wireless...

OK. So I've read that updating drivers can cause this problem - would not updating the drivers cause this problem too? If I am to update the drivers what's the best (read: won't screw me up) way to go about doing this?



This is my first Thinkpad - and I love everything about it, except for this minor issue. Thanks!

As much as I am hesitant to use OEM provided drivers, the Lenovo Software Installer is actually pretty good, you might try having it perform the upgrade automatically (along with any other updated drivers/bios/utilities), I used it to bring down most of the drivers/utilities when I reinstalled my T60p from scratch and it didn't cause any problems. It should be right on the start menu if your using a default install.

PAPPP wrote:As much as I am hesitant to use OEM provided drivers, the Lenovo Software Installer is actually pretty good, you might try having it perform the upgrade automatically (along with any other updated drivers/bios/utilities), I used it to bring down most of the drivers/utilities when I reinstalled my T60p from scratch and it didn't cause any problems. It should be right on the start menu if your using a default install.

Thanks - I'll give that a shot....can't hurt, right?

PAPPP wrote:As much as I am hesitant to use OEM provided drivers, the Lenovo Software Installer is actually pretty good, you might try having it perform the upgrade automatically (along with any other updated drivers/bios/utilities), I used it to bring down most of the drivers/utilities when I reinstalled my T60p from scratch and it didn't cause any problems. It should be right on the start menu if your using a default install.

OK...so maybe I didn't quite understand. I don't see anything called a "Lenovo Software Installer" - but I did press the ThinkVantage button and selected "Update My System" ... It searched for updates and came back with 9 'optional' updates. None of them pertained to wireless...any other ideas? Thanks.

Anyone else?

If you want to upgrade your wireless driver. Do the following. You can use Windows Add or Remove Programs, which is located in Control Panel, to uninstall the following.

1) Uninstall ThinkVantage Access Connections. When it asks you if you want to save your profiles, you can choose yes.
2) Uninstall Your Wireless Driver software. This should be called Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Software.
3) Reboot and cancel any found hardware wizard.
4) Install your new wireless driver software.
5) Reboot.
6) Reinstall Access Connections.
7) Reboot.

You can download all your wireless drivers and software from here: Software and Device Drivers - ThinkPad T60, T60p. After you download a file, execute it by double-clicking on it to extract the software package to your hard drive. Pay attention to where the files are extracted to. Once the files are extracted, navigate to that directory and double-click on Setup.exe to install the drivers/software. Tip: you can double-click on the .xml file in the directory to verify that you are in the correct directory. The .xml file will tell you which software that directory applies to. The ThinkVantage Access Connections install program should be located in C:\DRIVERS\W2K\ACCON\. The Intel wireless software install program should be located in C:\DRIVERS\WIN\WLANINT\. At least this is where these programs are located on my T42.

GomJabbar wrote:If you want to upgrade your wireless driver. Do the following. You can use Windows Add or Remove Programs, which is located in Control Panel, to uninstall the following.

1) Uninstall ThinkVantage Access Connections. When it asks you if you want to save your profiles, you can choose yes.
2) Uninstall Your Wireless Driver software. This should be called Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Software.
3) Reboot and cancel any found hardware wizard.
4) Install your new wireless driver software.
5) Reboot.
6) Reinstall Access Connections.
7) Reboot.

You can download all your wireless drivers and software from here: Software and Device Drivers - ThinkPad T60, T60p. After you download a file, execute it by double-clicking on it to extract the software package to your hard drive. Pay attention to where the files are extracted to. Once the files are extracted, navigate to that directory and double-click on Setup.exe to install the drivers/software. Tip: you can double-click on the .xml file in the directory to verify that you are in the correct directory. The .xml file will tell you which software that directory applies to. The ThinkVantage Access Connections install program should be located in C:\DRIVERS\W2K\ACCON\. The Intel wireless software install program should be located in C:\DRIVERS\WIN\WLANINT\. At least this is where these programs are located on my T42.

Wow...thanks a lot. I'll give that a shot...


Does anybody know why there's this problem though? I mean...it'd be nice if everything worked right out of the box. Oh well, I'm just glad there's a good fix. Thanks.

Well...I did everything you listed, and it appeared to work fine...I could still pick up a signal (100%), but again the internet would crawl along. I don't get it ... I can get to the internet, but it's painfully slow. This is really quit upsetting.

What flavor of WiFi (a, b, or g) is your router set up for? What channel are you using? Try turning off your antivirus program briefly and visit some safe sites to see if there is much change. See following thread for another user experiencing similar problems and my reply to him.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 724#234724

GomJabbar wrote:What flavor of WiFi (a, b, or g) is your router set up for? What channel are you using? Try turning off your antivirus program briefly and visit some safe sites to see if there is much change. See following thread for another user experiencing similar problems and my reply to him.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 724#234724

B

I believe I'm using channel 6 - is there a way to check?


I'll check out the other thread and try without virus protection on - but I don't think it's the virus protection, because right now I'm using a USB wireless adapter to post this...and it works just fine.

Kyocera recently brought up a good point. Check your speed with a wired connection to verify that it is actually the wireless connection that is causing the problem.

You can usually check your router setup menu to see what channel you are using.

EDIT: I didn't see earlier where you posted that the USB wireless adapter works fine. I'll see if I can find any other things to check.

GomJabbar wrote:Kyocera recently brought up a good point. Check your speed with a wired connection to verify that it is actually the wireless connection that is causing the problem.

You can usually check your router setup menu to see what channel you are using.

I gotta run out for a bit, but I'll check that when I get back.

But, I KNOW that wired is faster than the adapter, which is faster than using Intel's wireless...there is a very obvious difference between the adapter and Intel.

I appreciate all of your help...

Oh, and there was no difference between virus protection off or on...I am still connected, with a strong connection....but the internet is slower than dial-up slow.


EDIT: Just saw your edit - yea, I've narrowed it to the Intel wireless, and not the router...bah!

Yes, I am indeed on Channel 6.

Here is a page from Intel's site that gives some troubleshooting steps.

http://support.intel.com/support/wirele ... /index.htm

Here is another page with general information you may find useful. It discusses frequencies and channels as well as other information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/802.11

Is it just B? Or can the router do B and G? Some routers don't do very good in mixed environments. Have you checked for a firmware update for the router?

acasto wrote:Is it just B? Or can the router do B and G? Some routers don't do very good in mixed environments. Have you checked for a firmware update for the router?

The router? Yes, it's just B - it's a Linksys BEFW11S4, V. 4 - I have upgraded the firmware and restarted it...nothing. I have been all over the Linksys website, and tried some of their suggestions, but still the problem persists.

This weekend I had a chance to use the wireless on two different routers, one was a linksys and the other was a 2wire, and they both worked fine with my internal wireless.

This is all quite upsetting...but, at least I know it's an issue with the router, and not my ThinkPad.

GomJabbar wrote:Here is a page from Intel's site that gives some troubleshooting steps.

http://support.intel.com/support/wirele ... /index.htm

Here is another page with general information you may find useful. It discusses frequencies and channels as well as other information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/802.11

Thanks, but I didn't see the steps?

I also found out in a hard way that a router can make a huge difference in wirless connection.

Since g type of wireless router can be had for $20 after rebate, why don't you get one? But don't get Netgear WGR614 because this is the router with which I experienced extreme slow wireless web browsing.

I posted on the Netgear forum, but nobody could offer any solution to my problem. So I use it as an wireless access point and use a Linksys wired router as the main router.

TwoSteppin4140 wrote:Thanks, but I didn't see the steps?

For instance, in the previous link I provided under Known Issues & Solutions is the following link, which may apply to you.

http://support.intel.com/support/wirele ... 006205.htm

pinesol wrote:I also found out in a hard way that a router can make a huge difference in wirless connection.

Since g type of wireless router can be had for $20 after rebate, why don't you get one? But don't get Netgear WGR614 because this is the router with which I experienced extreme slow wireless web browsing.

I posted on the Netgear forum, but nobody could offer any solution to my problem. So I use it as an wireless access point and use a Linksys wired router as the main router.

Well, I'm home from school at my folks' right now...I'll be home for a few more weeks, but maybe I can talk ma and pa into going for a new router...save me some headaches!

GomJabbar wrote:

TwoSteppin4140 wrote:Thanks, but I didn't see the steps?

For instance, in the previous link I provided under Known Issues & Solutions is the following link, which may apply to you.

http://support.intel.com/support/wirele ... 006205.htm

Ahhh, missed that. I'll look into it - thanks much.

GomJabbar wrote:

TwoSteppin4140 wrote:Thanks, but I didn't see the steps?

For instance, in the previous link I provided under Known Issues & Solutions is the following link, which may apply to you.

http://support.intel.com/support/wirele ... 006205.htm

Well, how about that! When I went into access connections and adjusted the power save mode to "low" (best network performance) everything appears to be working...

This is good, because it's fixed...but I'd like to not have to use more power than needed. Oh well, this works! Thanks.