Thinkpads Forum

I just did a clean install of vista ultimate with the recovery cds that came with my T61p. I used the base software selector and only installed adobe reader. I now can't find my wifi card in device manager or anywhere. Messing with fn + f5 does nothing and its not disabled in network connections. There is no listing in device manager for a wifi card and there are no unknown devices. Was working perfectly 2hrs before I decided to go back to vista.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

two things to try:
1. press the refresh button on the device manager screen and see if that brings it up
2. download the software for your particular wireless card from lenovo and see if that will help.

Usually step one should help but maybe due to the base install no drivers were found for the device, hope this helps

Are you saying that when you hit FN-F5 that nothing happens, or are you saying that when you hit FN-F5 that the wifi antenna does not show up on the panel displayed?

On my T42, if the WiFi was off, and Fn+F5 is not working, I have to do a repair of the Intel WiFi drivers from Programs and Features (Add or Remove Programs) in Control Panel. I highlight the Intel Wireless Software in Programs and Features, choose Uninstall, then Repair. The repair will restart the WiFi card.

For some reason, when I boot other OS's and turn the WiFi card off, I cannot turn the card back on in Vista. However if I only use Vista, I can turn the card on or off with Fn+F5 or Access Connections.

Long story, short, install the WiFi drivers for your card (be sure to read the installation instructions).
First install the Lenovo System Interface driver.
Next the Lenovo ACPI Power Management driver.
Then the Hotkey Features driver.
And Finally the WiFi driver.

Drivers and software - ThinkPad T61, T61p

I just downloaded the drivers from Lenovo and installed them. The WiFi card magically appeared - thanks!