Can't Connect to WiFi - WiFi Adapters Missing

[sweat]

Hi.

I've got a T60 that no longer works with WiFi networks. The problem started last week after I downloaded an update for Access Connections and various other programs that Lenovo suggested.

I deleted Access Connections and the driver for my wireless card. I then reinstalled the driver for the wireless card and that did not do anything. If I try to connect with Windows, I get a limited or no connectivity message, and Internet access.

In the lower right-hand corner of my screen is an icon that, when hovered over with the cursor, shows a message saying "No Supported WiFi Adapters in the System".

The only way I can get to the Internet is either via a wired Ethernet connection or via my Sprint USB device. I should not have to rely on either when there is a WiFi network available (such as at home.)

I've tried reinstalling new drivers for the wireless card, but when I just went to device manager to get you all the driver version, it's giving me an error message saying "Adapter state not found in registry". If I then do a few more clicks, I see that the listed driver is 11.5.0.36

How do I solve this and get my wifi connection working again?

Here are the particulars about my laptop
T60 - System model 2623D6U
Windows XP Pro
Intel Pro/Wireless 3945ABG

[Harryc]

Fn-F5, enable the Wireless radio.

[sweat]

Fn-F5, enable the Wireless radio.

Hit fn-F5 as you suggested, got the following error message:
"Unable to change power state of 802.11 wireless radio. Update the driver for the wireless adapter."

What do you suggest?

[jdhurst]

Now that the wireless is on, try again to uninstall the wireless driver (not delete) and then reinstall the driver (a newer driver if one is available). Also, when you say you deleted Access Connections, please make sure you uninstall Access Connections. ... JDH

[GomJabbar]

How did you install the driver for your wireless card? Did you download the driver from Lenovo, extract it to your hard drive, then run iProInst.exe from C:\Drivers\Win\WLANINT2\XP\Apps\x32 (32-bit XP) or C:\Drivers\Win\WLANINT2\XP\Apps\x64 (64-bit XP)? Or alternatively did you use System Update? Either way, you should have Access Connections uninstalled when you uninstall or reinstall the wireless driver.

If your ThinkPad has a hardware wireless switch, make sure it is turned on.

[sweat]

How did you install the driver for your wireless card? Did you download the driver from Lenovo, extract it to your hard drive, then run iProInst.exe from C:\Drivers\Win\WLANINT2\XP\Apps\x32 (32-bit XP) or C:\Drivers\Win\WLANINT2\XP\Apps\x64 (64-bit XP)? Or alternatively did you use System Update? Either way, you should have Access Connections uninstalled when you uninstall or reinstall the wireless driver.
.

The install program wants to extract to it in: C:\DRIVERS\WIN\WLANINT

Is this a problem?

[Harryc]

Yes that is no problem, but then you must go into that same directory and run the exe.

[sweat]

Ran the Autorun file and am still getting the no wireless adapter message.

Any ideas?

[Harryc]

Autorun is not an install file.

[GomJabbar]

Read my post again. I believe the file to run is iProInst.exe. Note there is a 32-bit version and a 64-bit version. Use the version that is correct for your system (normally XP is 32-bit)(check directory names for proper file).

[sweat]

I went to the directory and ran the install file. I'm still having the same problem.

Here is what I did:
Uninstalled the driver using Device Manager
Ran the install file, which gave me options to repair, modify or remove. I clicked on repair.
Let the file ran.

Still missing the wireless adapter files.

What should I try next?

[GomJabbar]

You could have a software problem, or maybe a hardware one. Try running diagnostics. You could try diagnostics from Rescue and Recovery. There is the PC Doctor for DOS bootable CD. You could also try booting up a Linux Live CD and see if you can make a connection then.

PC Doctor for DOS bootable CD - ThinkPad

You could try the solutions in the following thread. In particular look at what antera309 posted.
More Fn-F5 problems

[sktn77a]

I had this same problem recently - I did a "windows update" and it trashed the wireless. I then tried to update the wireless driver from the Lenovosite - no joy. I did a windows restore (not recovery) to a previous date (before the windows updates) and everything was back up and working again.

Moral: If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[sweat]

You could have a software problem, or maybe a hardware one. Try running diagnostics. You could try diagnostics from Rescue and Recovery. There is the PC Doctor for DOS bootable CD. You could also try booting up a Linux Live CD and see if you can make a connection then.

PC Doctor for DOS bootable CD - ThinkPad

I have the Lenovo System Toolbox installed on my PC. Is this CD different?

As far as system restore, I looked and the earliest restore point was the day I noticed the problems.

I have restore CDs from Lenovo that say they will restore the PC to the original factory settings. The enclosed documentation says that it will wipe the data from all the partitions. If I resort to running those CDs, is that really the case?

If so and I back up my hard disk, would this be an option to fix the problem. Wiping my hard drive seems a bit drastic, though the PC is certainly not running as fast as it used to.

[GomJabbar]

I have the Lenovo System Toolbox installed on my PC. Is this CD different?

Try the Lenovo System Toolbox. I do not have it on my older system, and I am unfamiliar with it. However the CD should work as well.

I have restore CDs from Lenovo that say they will restore the PC to the original factory settings. The enclosed documentation says that it will wipe the data from all the partitions. If I resort to running those CDs, is that really the case?

Yes, that is the case.

After checking your hardware, why not look at that other thread I posted about Fn+F5 problems. There are some solutions there.