Wireless keeps turning itself off

Message

kenta · #1 Post by **kenta** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 4:13 am

My new (1 week old) Z60t model 2511H1U has this problem that the Wifi turns itself off after about 5 minutes. I can turn it back on with Fn-F5 but it turns itself again after a few minutes.

However, the problem is sporadic: sometimes a reboot fixes it so the wireless stays on continuously.

System Information reports that the card is is "11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Express Adapter" by "Atheros Communications Inc".

I've run the PC Doctor diagnostics both from Windows and from the boot-up service partition, and it reports no problems.

I've run Thinkvantage System Update to upgrade to the latest drivers.

kenta · #2 Post by **kenta** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 4:03 pm

I think I've figured out the pattern (though not a solution).

If I boot up the laptop with the wireless turned on (that is, the wireless radio was ON when I last shutdown), then the wireless stays on happily.

If I boot with the wireless turned off (that is, I had turned OFF wireless before I last shutdown), then the problem occurs: After I turn the wireless on with Fn-F5, it will shut itself off after a few minutes.

The workaround is to turn the wireless on, then reboot (praying that the wireless will stay on during the shutdown procedure).

Anyone else see this behaviour? I think I can get Lenovo to fix this problem under warranty, but I have never interacted with their warranty repair. Any thoughts?

Humpa · #3 Post by **Humpa** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 4:20 pm

Yes, my Z60m was doing the same thing with the 2115ABG Intel PRO/Wireless

I wasn't sure why, but after reading your post that is exactly how mine behaved as well.

It has worked flaslessly since I left it on.

kenta · #4 Post by **kenta** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 10:19 pm

I have also found that if I ever turn off the wireless and turn it back on, it enters the "wireless will automatically turn itself off after 5 minutes" state.

ilmaestro · #5 Post by **ilmaestro** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 12:34 am

kenta wrote:I have also found that if I ever turn off the wireless and turn it back on, it enters the "wireless will automatically turn itself off after 5 minutes" state.

I just thought I'd mention that I'm having this same problem, although I don't think that mine is turning off only when the computer starts with it off. I just updated my drivers through the thinkpad software update site... and it looks to be bahaving better for the most part, although the thing did shut itself at least once already.

j

nutterbutter · #6 Post by **nutterbutter** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 7:29 am

Uninstall IBM Access Connections from control panel

Works like a dream, and it increased my battery life as an added bonus.

warder · #7 Post by **warder** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:11 am

Can you still turn the wifi off without Access Connections installed? Is the switch on the front a hard-wired switch? Does Fn-F5 work with it uninstalled?

nutterbutter · #8 Post by **nutterbutter** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:56 am

No, Fn-F5 doees not work(for wifi, it does for bluetooth) with Access connections uninstalled. But you can simply disable the Wireless adapter in control panel when you don't want to use it.
The switch works too.

Try it, you can always reinstall the access connections

ThinkSlim · #9 Post by **ThinkSlim** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 10:27 am

Have you tried connecting at other locations.. does the problem follow your thnkpad?

Suggestions:
Make sure your bios and wireless driver are current. If the problem does not go away try their suggestion listed here (http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-64637 )

P-Meyer · #10 Post by **P-Meyer** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 5:44 am

FWIW late addition to this thread - I have a Z61m and have uninstalled access connections and Fn + F5 work happily, both bluetooth and wireless.

I did have a problem and then I upgraded the Intel drivers. There is another thread that discusses the software dependencies where someone lost the Fn + F5 functionality. It was mentioned that Fn + F5 are supposed to be working without AC and I can confirm that it is.

Peter

Casper118 · #11 Post by **Casper118** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:48 pm

Whenever I encounter a wireless problem. I follow this simple rule.

Uninstall Access Connections

Manually Install Power Management, Hotkey and Wireless Driver in that order.

After you do all that, Everything should be back in working order.

If it isnt.

Uninstall the Wireless Device in Device Manager and reboot. If Windows does not detect device. It might be a hardware issue. (corrupted driver or whatnot.) But never seen that happen ever on this issue after running those three installs.

User's preferance on installing Access Connections on it.