T60 with very bad WLAN

[elfstone]

Hello,
I recently bought 2 Thinkpads, one X60 and one T60. The difference in WLAN between both is very big, so i dont know of the T60 is faulty, or of there is a reason for it.

I tried both Windows and Linux, but the problem appears on both, so i dont think its a driver Problem.

1m from AP 20m from AP
T60 25% 0%
X60 100% 20%

Both Laptops have an Intel-Chip, so i dont understand why the T60 performs so much worse. Any Ideas?

Thx for help

[sugo]

Driver version?

[GomJabbar]

There is the possibility that the antenna was not plugged into the card.

[elfstone]

@sugo Since i have the Problem with Linux AND Windows, i doubt its a driver Problem.

Windows: 10.5.1.72
Linux: FC6, ipw3945-1.20-18.2


@GomJabbar: How can i check/fix that?

[brentpresley]

There is the possibility that the antenna was not plugged into the card.

No. If it wasn't you would only get signal to about 5-7 feet. He's at 20 meters.



I'm sure the difference is in the antennas. There is either more shielding or interference on the T60. You can try swapping WLAN cards but I highly doubt it will do any good.

[elfstone]

I just checked, i get abour 6meters before the signal Breaks down. I have about 45% Signal strength with my X60 at the same distance.

I dont know exactly what kind of AP we have, but it should be a rather strong one. And the T60 would be really badly designed, if it only has 1/3 of the wlan-reach of the much smaller X60s.

I will try to compare with another T60 though

[GomJabbar]

If you use Access Connections, go to Edit Wireless Profile, choose the Wireless Settings tab, under 5. Advanced Configuration, click on Settings..., then on Power Save Mode, choose Low for the best Performance.

[elfstone]

I used the normal Windows-Connectin, but using Access Connections and setting Powersave to Low didnt change anything.

I dont get more than 6m (with no real walls) away from my AP without loosing connection.

[GomJabbar]

brentpresley is probably right. I know he handles many more ThinkPads than I do. Nevertheless, the skeptic in me would want to check the antenna wires. There should be (2) antenna wires attached to the card. Perhaps only one is connected. Perhaps the wires are connected, but one is pinched. If you decide to check it out, see the following.

Removal movie

Installation movie

Removal and Installation instructions

[elfstone]

I followed the instructions and opened the Laptop. Strangley i found two cables coming from the left. Both were connected to the Wlancard.

But in the picture there are either 3 cables(for abgn), or 2 cables, one from right and one from the left.
Does that mean anything?

[brentpresley]

I followed the instructions and opened the Laptop. Strangley i found two cables coming from the left. Both were connected to the Wlancard.

But in the picture there are either 3 cables(for abgn), or 2 cables, one from right and one from the left.
Does that mean anything?

There are 3 cables in most T60s. 2 are for the WLAN (no matter if you are b/g, abg, however abgn has a third the sits right in the middle of the two standard ones). The 2 antennas should both come from the left side of the computer and branch to the right and left contact points on the card: AUX and MAIN (doesn't matter which).

A SECOND set of antennas is down near the bottom left of the keyboard. These 2 are for the WWAN card, which most T60s don't come with, but the antennas are there in case you upgrade later.

You CANNOT install the WLAN card in the WWAN card PCI-E slot. It will fit, but the BIOS will ignore the card.

From your description, I would say your cables are connected properly. What kind of card is installed? Intel or Atheros?

[elfstone]

Intel

[planetf1]

Do they both have the intel card, or does the Z60 have the atheros (IBM) card. if so that may explain the difference. I found a similar difference on the same m/c when changing from intel 3945abg to ibm abg.

[elfstone]

I dont have an Z60. Both the T60 and X60 have an Intel card though...