Thinkpads Forum

My T500, 2242-8QU for some reason now on both wifi networks that I use will connect just like normal but the wifi icon will only be green for a few seconds, sometimes not at all and after about 20 or 30 seconds it drops the wifi connection. This just started after I connected to a VPN that I havent used in a long time a few days ago.

I updated driver for the 5100 AGN to 14.3.2.1 - Same problem still happening.

I went to the properties and unclicked the box that gave permission for the laptop to turn off the device to save power - Same problem still happening.

Anyone else have any ideas?

Admin note: Edited subject line to "wifi" from "wiki"

What version of Windows is running? Do you use Access Connections to control wireless?

Here are some notes I saved on wireless issues. Don't know if it will be of help but there are a few settings to check.

Wireless Drops Connection

Go into advanced properties for the WiFI card in device manager.
Check that all power savings are set to disabled. You want max
power for that card. You may have to reboot to see the new settings
take effect. If you are running Thinkvantage Power Management,
do the same...max performance settings.

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Remove access connections manager. I had the same issue on several
T4x and T6x series laptops and traced it back to that app.
I uninstalled it and now just use the windows network manager.
No issues with wireless since.

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First, the 3945abg can be turned on again, once it has shut down,
without resorting to a reboot. Left-clicking the "Wireless On/Off"
button in the Intel PRO/Wireless utility wouldn't do it for me, for
some odd reason. What I had to do is right-click the entry for the
3945 in the device manager, then left-click "Disable" in the pop-up.
Once that was done, I left-clicked "Yes." Then I highlighted and
right-clicked the entry once again, then left-clicked "Enable" and
that did it. A tad awkward, but much better than rebooting.

Second, I was missing a step in putting the 3945 into "continuously
aware" mode. What I had done was to uncheck "Allow computer to turn
off this device..." on the "Power Management" tab of the Intel utility.
You definitely have to do this, but another task must be carried out
as well, but on the "Advanced" tab. Specifically, highlight
"Power Management" in the scroll box, then set the slider that
magically appears all the way to "Highest." Click "OK" and you're done.

I've now done all this and will report back on whether it solves my
problem or not. Meanwhile, if anyone can shed more light on this,
please do. I'd like to know why this suddenly cropped up.

PS-- The Intel utility I refer to is the one reached by double-clicking
the entry for the 3945 in the Device Manager.

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I have a 3945 in my Vista Business machine, and power management occurs
in 3 places:

1. Device manager as has been discussed here.
2. Windows Power Manager for the wireless settings.
3. Access Connections advanced properties.

All three must be changed to maximum performance or the card will shut
down on occasion. I have had no difficulties (for the best part of a year)
now that I make sure all settings are for maximum performance.
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http://www.thinkpads.com/forum/viewtopi ... 29&t=90023
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 38#p533438

Running XP (Not sure how I forgot that )

Thanks for the reply! I was using thinkpad access connections and after playing with alot of settings that did not help, I went to the windows network manager and tried to connect from there. It connected, the wifi icon is green again and I havent lost my connection so I think its fixed!

Will report back if it breaks again.

Thanks!