X201s poor WiFi quality compared to X61

[Michau]

I have upgraded my X61 to a X201s. Overall, the new machine is very nice. However, the quality of WiFi connections is abysmal. The X61 holds good connection throughout the whole house, whereas X201s drops signal constantly, has often trouble finding the access point, has intermittent (few secons long) gaps in network connectivity, etc.

I am thinking of swapping the network cards between these two laptops. However, I would like to know if it makes any sense to do it? As I can see, the X61 uses Intel Pro 3695ABG adapter, whereas X201s uses Intel Centrino 6300. Is it possible to put the older adapter into X201s? Or maybe it's something else (i.e. poorer antenna in X201s, or smoething like that)?

[Michau]

My router is Linksys WAG320N. There are no issues with interference etc, because as I said, I have X201s and X61 laying on the same table side by side - X61 holds strong connection, whereas X201s is constantly dropping it.

I have also noticed that Lenovo Access Connections often hangs and is unresponsive for many seconds, sometimes over a minute. This never happens in X61 (both machines are running Windows 7).

I will try snapping the antenna connectors and reseating the card in mini PCI slot. However, I am wondering, if this is such a great network card, why such problems occur at all? Can it be that X201s has worse antennas than X61?

[Michau]

I have 2.4 GHz selected in the router permanently. I also switched it to "B" mode only, as I was told that B mode has better range, but it didn't change anything.

[bill bolton]

Or maybe it's something else?

Go through and check ALL the power management settings related to WiFi on your X201s, including in the device driver. Make sure they are set to maximum performance (not maximum power saving).

Cheers,

Bill B.

[Initial D]

I had very similar problems and for me it was the device driver.

[Michau]

I had very similar problems and for me it was the device driver.

Can you tell me which driver you installed? I downloaded latest one (13.5) from Intel site, but it did not help. Maybe I should try the driver version you are using.

[Initial D]

My driver version is 13.3.0.24, but I'm using a 6200.

Power Management (tab)
All options are UNchecked

[Bánh mì]

I have an X201 and find the WIFI to be rock steady and always get a strong signal. Perhaps your router is the culprit?

[Bánh mì]

I beg to differ with with you. I run a T61 (with same card as your X61) and an x201 with the same card as you. IMO there are no dropouts on either machine. Totally rock solid as you would expect from any Intel product. The problem could be your power management and/or and most likely your router. Have you gone to the Intel and Lenovo sites and tried installing the latest drivers?

[Colonel O'Neill]

I thought the latest driver for the 6300 was a 14.x driver?

[Bánh mì]

My router is Linksys WAG320N. There are no issues with interference etc, because as I said, I have X201s and X61 laying on the same table side by side - X61 holds strong connection, whereas X201s is constantly dropping it.

I have also noticed that Lenovo Access Connections often hangs and is unresponsive for many seconds, sometimes over a minute. This never happens in X61 (both machines are running Windows 7).

I will try snapping the antenna connectors and reseating the card in mini PCI slot. However, I am wondering, if this is such a great network card, why such problems occur at all? Can it be that X201s has worse antennas than X61?

Uninstall then reinstall the Lenovo Access Connections utility. Also on your x201 make certain you are not using the W7 WIFI utility in addition to Lenovo's. They are mutually exclusive options to connect and will not work simultaneously.