X61 and WLAN 4965 AGN FRU 42T0865 Compatibility

[OngL]

I have a one-year old X61 with Intel 3965 ABG installed. The machine model is 7674-GH9. I searched online and found out that I can upgrade X61 machines with a 4965 with correct FRU and as long as it is a Lenovo's one.

I bought Intel 4965 ABGN Part FRU: 42T0865 which was confirmed by Lenovo that this is the correct FRU for a N-enabled WLAN card. I installed the card but the card was NOT detected in Windows. Fn-F5 has WLAN missing and I can't connect to WLAN at all. Looked at the Windows-Device Manager, nothing on WLAN card being detected.

Slot in back the original 3965 ABG card and it is detected again. No error message on boot-up like 1802 or others, just a normal boot up.

Questions:
1) Is the card simply dead i.e. defective?
2) Is the card incompatible with my machine?
3) What I can do more with the card before sending it back to the seller?

My Motherboard has three WLAN antenna cable, so it should be supported.

Thanks

[OngL]

Any one tried upgrading their WLAN card yet? I'm considering a return or a refund... Any help is appreciated.

[bluesceada]

"detected" ?
Did you try installing the drivers from Lenovos website?

[OngL]

Yes, To my understanding after using Windows for years, a hardware connected to a computer will show in Device Manager. The only difference is if the device does not have a compatible driver, it'll show as unrecognized hardware with a question mark next to it. In this case, I don't see anything there.

On the driver, I checked that the WLAN driver Lenovo provided on the website or through system update is one package that covers both 3965 (current WLAN card) and 4965. So by right, there is no need for another driver installation. Also reading from the above, that nothing added on the Device Manager, I dont' think it's driver issue.

Anyone can help?

[jdrou]

My X61 shipped with the 4965AGN and is working fine (Win XP). My guess would be you got a bad card.

[Ken Fox]

Yes, To my understanding after using Windows for years, a hardware connected to a computer will show in Device Manager. The only difference is if the device does not have a compatible driver, it'll show as unrecognized hardware with a question mark next to it. In this case, I don't see anything there.

On the driver, I checked that the WLAN driver Lenovo provided on the website or through system update is one package that covers both 3965 (current WLAN card) and 4965. So by right, there is no need for another driver installation. Also reading from the above, that nothing added on the Device Manager, I dont' think it's driver issue.

Anyone can help?

If you haven't already done this, uninstall the WLAN drivers through control panel, reboot, then reinstall the current package. Just because one card uses the same drivers as another card does not mean that the new card will (necessarily) be recognized. For example, and this is may be a far-fetched example, I recently cloned over a drive from one system to another, which differed primarily in that the newer system had a 4965 card and the older one had an older (I think 3945) card, both Intel. Access connections refused to use my old WiFi profiles that had been set up on the older card, with the newer one. Those profiles needed to be deleted and new ones set up. Granted, this is not exactly what you are describing but an uninstall/reinstall is quick and easy and will answer at least this question. It is easier and quicker to do than disassembling the case and swapping mini-pcie cards.

This suggestion might not work but it will only take a few minutes to try, and if it does, then your problem will be fixed.

[OngL]

Thanks for the response guys. I tried another HDD with another system, won't work.
Tried on a T60 that should give 1802 error and nothing yet. The card is dead and I have sent for replacement.