Thinkpads Forum

I have an US Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN card.
I need to change it to an European one (also Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN), because of the extra channels (12 and 13).

To do this, do I just need to change a configuration or I have to buy a new one and install it?

Is it easy to install? Or does it have to be a specialized shop?

Also, can I buy any European Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN card? Or different laptops use physically different versions of this card.

Finally, should it have a signature with an IBM FRU?


Edit: No need to change the wireless card after all. There's no difference between the various regions cards. Only the operation mode needs to be changed. Read this thread for further info. Also, changed the name of the post, to a more accurate one.

No need to buy a new card afterall.
Here's the explanation, straight from Intel (thanks to optomos).

BTW, if a new card was indeed needed, it had to be from Lenovo (the BIOS verifies it).

arlab wrote:No need to buy a new card afterall.

Intel are past masters at side-stepping issues. It's often not so much what they do say that is significant, but rather you need to watch out for what they don't say!

In this case the question was from someone who had a card capable of operation across channels 1 to 14 and they answered specifically for that scenario.

Cheers,

Bill B.

bill bolton wrote:Intel are past masters at side-stepping issues. It's often not so much what they do say that is significant, but rather you need to watch out for what they don't say!

In this case the question was from someone who had a card capable of operation across channels 1 to 14 and they answered specifically for that scenario.

...Then you think that an US card won't work in EU/JP or that the matter needs further investigation?

Apparently, Intel has made only one model for both the US and EU cards. They no longer make two cards.

Also, I found this: http://download.intel.com/support/wirel ... 22ww48.pdf.
Not really sure what it means, though. Maybe the countries where the card functions...

Finally, I was suggested that the Intel Pro/Wireless software could change the operating mode of the card. But not the IBM's Access Connection.

No need to change the wireless card after all. Read this.

arlab wrote:No need to change the wireless card after all. Read this.

"Yes, no matter if you have a US, EU, or JP card".....

Just try it for yourself, and report back what happens!

Cheers,

Bill B.

I know it doesnt apply, but the atheros card with my USA T61 can connect up to channel 14. (which is limited to 11 megabit .11b., gets only 1mbit due to interference.) channel 13 is full speed.

bill bolton wrote:Just try it for yourself, and report back what happens!

I can't try it now, but when I do, I'll bump this thread with the results I got.

Still haven't tried it, but just received this e-mail from Intel:

Intel Support wrote:I'm afraid that there are hardware (SKUs) variants of the Intel 4965AGN wireless card on the global market.
As the enclosed PDF URL clearly states, EU wireless cards are labelled MOW2 in contrast to the US version (called MOW1).

To see yourself, please access the following PDF and you will be prompted with a list SKUs on a global scale for the 4965AGN wireless card.

Hence:

http://download.intel.com/support/wirel ... ummary.pdf

This is from another e-mail I received (also from Intel):

Intel Support wrote:[...] Unfortunately a resolution to this predicament is as simple as it comes - replace the wireless card with an European variant. [...]

So, there are differences between cards. But, I don't think that this means that US cards can't receive/transmit the additional channels. So, there's probably no need for those who have an US card to replace it.

arlab wrote:But, I don't think that this means that US cards can't receive/transmit the additional channels.

Again, try it and see what happens!

Cheers,

Bill B.

OK, finally tested it and I was able to connect to wireless LAN in Europe (using an US wifi card) without having to configure anything. But this doesn't prove that I'm able to use channels 12-13. ANyone knows how can I fully test the card?

Well, if you set your router to channel 12 or 13 and your card can't connect, then I'd say you'll have an answer. [Caveat: not sure what impact channel overlap will have; see here. I.e., will a wireless card capable of 11 channels be able to pull in channel 12, given the overlap b/t 11 and 12? I don't know . . . ] Another way to see on just which channel you are connected is with the 'Find' function in Access Connections: click 'Show details' and you can see all wireless devices in range and their properties, including channel. Select one using channel 12 / 13 and then try to connect.

The US version Atheros card in my T43 got disconnected after I had changed my router to channel 13. I did some research on google but didn't find much information. Some claim the extended channels can be enabled by modifying an .inf file, while some claim an EEPROM flash is necessary. I guess most people don't really know/care about it.

I don't need the channel 14. But the access to channel 12 and 13 would be pretty handy since I live in Europe. I've tried different drivers with no success. It seems that the IBM branded Atheros card is not very friendly with generic drivers. Or maybe it's Vista.

blackomegax, may I ask which operating system do you have on your T61? Do you use Access Connection and the Lenovo driver for your Atheros card?