Thinkpads Forum

I just got my X61 a couple of weeks ago. Very nice laptop. I love its size and functionality.

However, I noticed it took about 2mins to connect to my WPA network, with the taskbar icon showing 'acquiring network address', then it flashes momentarily 'limited access' with a yellow warning, then changes almost immeditately to connected. Very wierd behavior. This was with original installed IBM Version: 5.3.0.85 dated Nov 07. My T42 picks up my WPA network instantly.

So, I uninstalled 5.3.0.85 and loaded IBM Version: 4.1.2.156 from Jun 07 from the T42 support download page. It works brilliantly! I get instant connection now. Now... I wonder if I had just re-installed the original 5.3.0.85 driver software that preinstalled, if it would have corrected the slow connection??

I do not use Access Connection software as I only need very simple network management. I found it unnecessarily took up alot of space and too many resources.

Anybody else have slow connectivity with the X61 software?

I have slow connectivity using an Atheros 11abgn card and Access Connections to connect to a LEAP-encrypted school network, does the same thing you described. Also the AC icon in the tray says disconnected even though all the other icons say connected. At home it is must faster connecting to a WEP network. I think it was the same with the Intel 4965abgn card. I installed the latest driver and AC from scratch.

Let me say though, the Atheros n card is far superior to the Intel. I can see twice as many networks at home, get a better connected signal, and the driver doesn't keep crashing. Both pass a lot of heat to your right hand though. ugh, what poor design.

no heat here with my intel .. the Atheros does though for sure.

Anyways.. since your current driver then why bother try to "fix" it. You know the say, if it ain't broke then don't fix it?

SHoTTa35 wrote:no heat here with my intel .. the Atheros does though for sure.

Anyways.. since your current driver then why bother try to "fix" it. You know the say, if it ain't broke then don't fix it?

You mean in your T60? The PCI slot is under the keyboard in the T60 and the heat doesn't come through. In the X61 it's under the palmrest.

I have the same problem with my X61s.

I took it apart for the first time last night because I wanted to see what the problem was (ie. if there was a loose antenna, if the card wasn't seated properly, etc.) but I found out nothing... except how tiny the mobo is.

Today, I uninstalled the "newest" driver from Lenovo and am just using the Vista driver (Athr.sys - in C:\Windows\System32\Drivers) and it seems to work better. My first thought - why!? I see twice as many networks now, BUT I can't use access connections.

I might try to fix this later, but I'll probably wait and just do a full reinstall on my system (to upgrade to x64 mostly, but also to fix some bugs)

If anyone can tell me WHY the newest Athr.sys driver from Lenovo is worse than the driver that comes with Vista, PLEASE POST IT!

One possible solution:
Check power options --> (Your active power plan) --> change plan settings->change advanced power setting-->Wireless Adapter Settings --> Power Saving Mode
change all to Maximum performance.

Have been on several different public networks while traveling this past week. My new software connects instantly now, just as it did at home. Even coming out of standby or hibernation, I get instant connectivity. I don't know why the original software loaded caused the slow connection. But this older version for the T42 works GREAT! I recommend anyone else having the slow connectivity problem as I had, might try this solution.

So the IBM Access Connections software worked better for you than the Lenovo Access Connections software?

I have to agree that this is not one of Lenovo's strong-suits. I just installed the newest version of the Lenovo app and it froze my laptop.

I only use IBM Atheros DRIVER software. No Connection software of anykind. I let Windows XP control the network access.

Hmm... But then, will I still be able to Fn+F5 and turn my wireless antenna off if I choose? I thought that feature would be lost - and it's really the only one I use out of all of the "Access Connections" features!

You can uninstall Access Connections and still have the Fn-f5 functionality. I'm not sure what happens if you install a non-lenovo version of your wireless driver.

I re-installed the Lenovo-Atheros driver.

All that happens with the non-Lenovo driver is that you lose Fn+F5 capabilities with respect to WiFi (including access connections, which I've uninstalled!) The non-Lenovo driver seems to work better, though...

As I posted in my original message, I only have the Atheros driver (using the T42 version downloaded from Lenovo) installed. My Fn-F5 key still works just as it should, shutting off or turning on WiFi radio. I used the T42 version since it was the oldest version I could find with a quick search on Lenovo site. And I have a T42 with this driver and it works perfectly.

I may experiment and reload the latest Lenovo X61 Atheros driver and see if I get quick connections. As I said it might just be the re-install that "fixed" my slow connectivity. And I never used Access Connections.