intermittent packet loss - network card issue?

[tadc]

Greetings all - I have a z61t with the Atheros chipset wireless adapter which has recently developed an annoying network problem.

Intermittently/randomly, it will start dropping large numbers of packets and/or introducing 1000+ ms latency into ping times. If I disable/reenable the adapter (with the wireless switch or via windows "repair"), the issue goes away for a few minutes or more.

When it is exhibiting the problem, I see high (20-30%) CPU usage attributed to hardware interrupts and DPCs(per Process Explorer), which apparently implies a driver or hardware issue.

I've tried upgrading/reinstalling the driver, to no apparent effect. (well actually it seems to have become less severe, but it hasn't stopped).

This makes me think I may have to swap out the wireless card... and it's an excuse to upgrade to an n-capable device.

Any advice? Further troubleshooting I can do to confirm that it's a hardware issue? Upgrade advice? I've successfully swapped out the original Pentium M 420 proc with a dual-core, so I can probably manage the NIC swap if I can lay hands on the correct part.

Thanks for any help.

[RealBlackStuff]

You could try removing/reinserting the card.
Even gold contacts oxidize over time.
While you're at it, blow out all the dust from the CPU cooler. If you use canned air, make sure to hold the fan itself, otherwise you wreck the fan bearings.
If you want to upgrade to N, see this post: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=88029