Unique R51 wireless problems with Intel 2200BG

[ThinkBrad]

Hi team, sorry to be such a consumer of advice lately but I really appreciate all the help.

In this case I've wasted the entire weekend trying to get the wireless internet connection working on an R51, model 1830-AC1, running Windows XP SP3. It would not connect to my home router (ActionTec C1000A DSL Modem/Router) with WPA2 security (tried AES, TKIP, and 'Both' settings on the router). My other devices connect to the router just fine (2 MacBook Pros, iPad 2, Apple TV, iPhone 5, Droid Incredible, Evo 4G, X41 Tablet with Intel 2915ABG card) so the router is surely capable.

I sequentially scaled the router's security settings back to WPA, WEP, and finally tried it open with no security, each time removing the SSID from Windows Zero Config's list of remembered networks, and each time it hangs on the first step, 'Waiting for Network' and times out after about 30 seconds. I also cannot connect to the open network of a nearby store, the only other network I have access to. Strangely, I can connect to the wireless tether network broadcast by my Android phone with WPA2-PSK security.

I've tried just about everything I've come across, uninstalled the driver and restarted, letting Windows reinstall its generic driver (9.0.4.39), same outcome. Then uninstalled, restarted, and installed the PROset driver from Intel (also 9.0.4.39), same outcome. I did the same with the 'Intel PRO 2200BG and 2915ABG Mini PCI Adapter Wireless Software for Windows 2000, XP' (version 9.0.4.8 ) from Lenovo's driver page for the R51; under that driver I actually couldn't even detect any wireless networks although there are usually 20 or so in range, even with my phone broadcasting its network an arm's length away.

There are also other funny behaviors: I can't 'Repair connection' - a dialogue box pops up stating that it failed to 'Disable the Network Adapter'. Navigating to Network Connections and right-click -> Disable also fails, noting something about a device not supporting Plug-and-Play. Trying ipconfig from a command prompt while not connected gives the usual "Media Disconnected" status for the wireless adapter; ipconfig whle connected to my phone's network shows a 192.168.43.x address (typical for Verizon/droid tethers), DHCP enabled, looks normal. The problem doesn't seem to be about internet connectivity - it's that I can't connect to a network at all.

I went as far as to disassemble the machine and reseat the Mini PCI card and make sure the antenna leads were tight. Pulled the card, verified that it was in fact an Intel 2200BG and the MAC address matched the sticker on the bottom and the info from ipconfig, everything looks fine, I cleared the bit of dust in the area, firmly re-seated the card, verified the antenna plugs were correct by the HMM (gray=Main, black=Aux) and were tightly connected. Still getting the same strange behavior.

I am inclined to think it's hardware related, because I also couldn't connect to my home network when booted into Darn Small Linux from USB, but then again the ability to connect to my phone's tether network suggests a configuration problem. At any rate, I'm over 20 hours invested into fixing a computer I was going to sell for $100, so at this point it's a battle of good vs. evil. I appreciate any guidance anyone can provide.

Edited to make ...9.0.4.8 ) from becoming 9.0.4.

[ThinkBrad]

Another related question: for wired LAN, should I be using the Pro/100 or Pro/1000 driver? I removed all networking drivers and it doesn't auto-install the replacement for the ethernet connection on restart, and both Pro/100 and Pro/1000 are offered through the lenovo support site for this model. (Incidentally, the computer could connect to the network and gain internet access when hardwired to the router during this whole mess, but before I uninstalled the driver).

[RealBlackStuff]

Try another wifi card (from e.g. that X41), those 2200's are good but don't have eternal life.