A22m wired internet connection

[Sudevan]

I have an A22m on which I have a light version of Linux Zorin running. Here are the vitals:

A22m 2628-P1U 15”XGA P3 800MHz 320 MB RAM 10GB HD OS: Zorin 5.2L (Light version)
Manufactured: 4/2001

I'm pretty sure this machine did not have any built-in wireless. My memory is that the ethernet port worked when I got it a couple of years ago and loaded the Zorin 5.2 Light OS on it, but I could be wrong ( I have a lot of Thinkpads! ). When I took it out again this past week to check the system, and perhaps to update the OS, I plugged the machine into my wireless router using an ethernet cable. It did not work, I could not establish a connection. In the Config list in BIOS, under RFID Security, it said that the antenna was disabled. I tried to set it to enabled, but could not do so. I tried to clear the RFID Security error status, since that seemed the only option, but I could not do that either. I am not sure if the antenna has anything to do with a wired connection, it would seem more likely that it would be useful for a wireless connection, if at all. But this was the closest I could get in my attempts to find out what was going on.

It seems possible that something is wrong in the hardware supporting the ethernet connector. I have two other lovely A series machines (great displays) an A31 (2652-C6U) and an A31p (2653-H3U), the latter with a UXGA Flexview screen. The A31 has working wireless but the A31p has only a working wired connection. I am quite sure it had a wireless connection which probably has some problems -- I need to investigate that next!

Sudevan

[rkawakami]

You are correct to say that the 2628-P1U did not come with built-in wireless. Changing any of the RFID wireless settings in BIOS should not affect the ethernet connection. My understanding is that RFID is used by companies as an asset management tool. It allows tracking of the laptop if/when it goes through an exit reader (think: metal detector at high security checkpoints).

The wired ethernet connection could be broken in several places; bad cable (try another), damaged RJ45 jack (visual inspection for bent/missing wires), bad MiniPCI card (re-seat, try another), bad router port (try another), bad router (try another).

The A31p (2653-H3U) originally came with an "open" MiniPCI card slot so that wireless could be added later. Opening the panel should tell you right away if it's there or not (the panel that's right next to the battery latch).

[ajkula66]

No LAN card of any kind from the factory on that system:

PIII 800MHz (256KB), 64MB RAM, 10.0GB HDD, 15.0 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 24x-10x CD-ROM, Modem, Li-Ion battery, Win98

Having said that, since there was a number of combo modem/LAN mini PCI cards available for these machines, it might have been upgraded in the past. Opening the laptop and verifying what type of a card it sports will likely reveal the truth, and you should be able to pick up a replacement combo card for literally a couple of bucks.

Good luck.

[Sudevan]

I stand corrected. Once again, I was going by the notes I made from the tabook, or from the seller's description, when I bought this a couple of years ago, and they are at odds with the information in the MTM database posted here in our forum -- I should have double checked first. Well, I will try and open the A22m to see what sort of card it has, or even if it has any. This also gives me hope because I could pick something up from the aftermarket/eBay. Thanks once again, George, for your timely advice!

Sudevan

[kfzhu1229]

Also if you don't have a miniPCI card for the ethernet, you can also put a miniPCI card for WLAN instead, if you can figure out how to wire the antenna properly and if you have spare antenna from lids of broken laptops.

[rkawakami]

No LAN card of any kind from the factory on that system:

That's what I get for speed-reading the MTM description, while trying to get out the front door. Didn't see, or must have assumed that "LAN" was in the description.