Thinkpads Forum

Hi,

I just reinstalled my brand new w520 with original factory installation disks wich I ordered from Lenovo. I've done all the updates from Microsoft and Lenovo but still my system can't seem to find its Intel 6300 wifi card.

I've manually downloaded the driver package from the Lenovo website but that also doesn't work.

Any idea's what I've could have done wrong?

thx

You can go to the Lenovo Support site -> Driver Matrix link -> Look for your model and download the wireless driver for your NIC. Run it to explode it into C:\drivers\win7 (or whereever you keep stuff). Now uninstall the current wireless and install the new driver you just downloaded. See if that works.

Alternatively, since the machine is new and you get Lenovo recovery DVD's, call Lenovo support and ask them to assist.

... JDH

Made sure the physical toggle switch on the left is on?

Tried Fn+F5?

Yes the physical toggle is switched on.

The device doesn't show the the wireless device list when I press Fn+F5 neither does it in the device manager. It is just as if it isn't there.

I already tried installing windows 7 from a retail disk + intel drivers and also that doesn't work.

While installing the drivers there is no error message stating something went wrong, drivers install as if everything is ok.

I find it very weird that a fresh install with recovery disks that match my model type the wifi card doesn't work.

Called Lenovo today and they said they would look into it, but I haven't heard from them again.

>>> I already tried installing windows 7 from a retail disk + intel drivers and also that doesn't work.

Using retail disk is not recommended because of the many different laptop drivers. Also, it is yet another license because the laptop license (OEM) cannot be used with a retail disk.

Please follow up with Lenovo. Also get them to tell you how to delete all partitions on the laptop hard drive and start with a clean hard drive. That should help. ... JDH

Check the BIOS. Look under security/i-o port access. See if wifi is disabled

If you're still having trouble and don't mind opening things up a bit, you could try pulling and reseating the module itself. There are instructions for removing it in the Hardware Maintenance Manual (beginning page 71 in the copy I have on-hand). You should probably be able to leave the antennas (antennae?) attached; only need to pop it out just a little and snug it back in.

richk wrote:Check the BIOS. Look under security/i-o port access. See if wifi is disabled

That solved it. Thx!

For some reason the recovery disks switch the wifi card to disabled in the BIOS everytime you restore your system to the original factory settings.