R40e and Intel 2100 B card, can see networks but not connect

[Pookster]

Hey Guys,

Back again without another one, my Cisco wireless card bit the bullet last month but because I use my thinkpad with a port replicator most of the time it didn't bother me. I decided to replace the card with an Intel 2100 B card. I have already applied the No-1802 fix to my laptop in order to get the Cisco card working a few years ago. But I am having a really weird problem. The card can see the networks in and arround my home but does not seem to be able to connect to them. I have a PCMCIA card, slap that into the laptop and it can connect on the PCMCIA card so it's somthing to do with the Mini PCI card but I can't figure out what it is. I thought the card might be faulty so installed it into my Work's Laptop a Dell Lattiude D600 and the card worked fine, great reception and connected first time.

Any ideas, could it be somthing to do with the No 1802 fix I have appled.

Many thanks for your time,

Warren

[RealBlackStuff]

If you updated your BIOS in the meantime, you should re-apply the no-1802 hack.
Or maybe your BIOS/ECP needs an update anyway, but you haven't done that?
How about trying a more modern card, like Intel 2200bg or 3495abg, or even better, an Atheros-based card with an IBM FRU number?
The fact that it works in your Dell, means that the wifi router transmits in B at least.

[Pookster]

Hey RealBlackStuff,

I will download the latest BIOS update for my Thinkpad and then re-apply the 1802 hack and see how I get on. I am pretty sure it's not a software issue because I slapped in a Cisco Wireless PCMCIA card it and worked fine so it has to be somthing to do with a compatability issue between my system board and the card.

Will update the BIOS and let you know how I get on.

Many thanks,

Warren

[RealBlackStuff]

The PCMCIA circuit is quite different from the miniPCI circuit.
If one works OK, the other could still be faulty.
And if you change to a b/g card and then set your router to transmit on G as well, you could see some improvement.

[Pookster]

Hey Guys,

Well I checked the bios and it's running the latest version, I have re-applied the no-1802 and sadly it's still not made a blind bit of difference.

I have tried another wireless card and have had the same problem, it can see the network but cannot connect. This issue started with my Cisco card so I bought the Intel one to replace it but am getting the same results. So you guys think it could be a fault with the Mini PCI port on my laptop. If that is the case. I think it might be time for an upgrade because I am sick to death of throwing money at my R40e.

Many thanks,

Warren

[RealBlackStuff]

The R3x and R4x series were not made by IBM, but farmed out to Acer AFAIK.
That may explain the flood of R4x problems lately...
Your probably cheapest, closest and best bet would be an R51 (IBM-made) with integrated Intel graphics.
This would allow you to transfer such parts as RAM, HD, wifi-card, maybe CPU and optical drive.