T60p wireless problem, freeze up.

[bobbler]

Hello all,

I am having problems with my T60p's wireless internet connection. My laptop is equipped with the Intel Pro 3945ABG connection, not the Atheros card.

Everything had been running smoothly but recently my wireless connection freezes up intermittently (even though it still claims to be connected) and the Windows wireless connection manager hangs. In this situation I cannot do anything whatsoever, I cannot right click on the wireless icon on the task bar to try refreshing the networks list etc. If I try to reboot the computer I get a message saying the "connection tray" is not responding after which the computer hangs and I have to hard shut down using the power button. All is fine after the reboot, I do not have to restart the router or cable modem to regain internet access suggesting the problem is with my wireless card, or the software managing it.

Has anyone else experienced any similar problems? Could it be a conflict between software managing the network connection (I have read some about some issues with using access connections and the standard windows manager)? The problem does not seem to occur after a particular event, hibernate, suspend etc. As a note I currently run AVG free as my anti-virus software (although I have always used this, not just since the problems started).

I am running Windows XP Pro.

Many thanks

[ryengineer]

Hanging and freezing can have many causes, improper, outdated softwares and drivers are few that can contribute to it. In terms of hardware, the unit (NIC in your case) itself could be failing. Bad memory module is also notorious for freezes.

I suggest you start with PC Doctor to diagnose the problem. Consider reading the following too:

Troubleshooting intermittent issues, lock-ups, and hangs - ThinkPad

In addition make sure you also have the latest version of BIOS and network drivers installed:

Intel PRO 2200bg, 2915abg, 3945bg, 3945abg, 4965ag, and 4965agn Mini PCI adapter wireless software for Windows XP, 2000 - ThinkPad.

[bobbler]

Thanks for the info. I appear to have all of the latest drivers installed. In addition my version of PC Doctor fails to run following the most recent update, Lenovo have also "temporarily" pulled it from their website so I cant try to reinstall it either.

[steveg47]

Thanks for the info. I appear to have all of the latest drivers installed. In addition my version of PC Doctor fails to run following the most recent update, Lenovo have also "temporarily" pulled it from their website so I cant try to reinstall it either.

Use the bootable cd version of PC Doctor. The iso can be downloaded from:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-56222

[bobbler]

Ok, this is getting really annoying now. Wireless works flawlessly in Linux so it is clearly a driver or software issue in Windows XP.

I installed PC Doctor as suggested, the program finds no faults with my system. If I try to run it after a freeze (before rebooting) all wireless tests fail. The wireless card locks entirely, I cannot load access connections, Fn F5 does nothing, I cannot right click on the connections icon on the task bar.

I have rolled back drivers, reinstalled them, I have the latest bios and everything is "supposedly" up to date, gaah. I'm a bit annoyed with some of the latest Lenovo updates, they seem to be causing me nothing bu grief, to be honest I wish I had never installed any updates at all, oh well.

I hope someone comes up with a fix for this soon.