Intel 3945abg and Win8.1

[hhmcsv]

I just upgraded my daughters T60 (2007-4CG) to Win8.1 from Win8pro. But to my surprice, internet speeds were bad, especially upload was almost non existing. Google would tell, that the wifi card Intel 3945abg which is fitted to a lot of Thinkpads have a track record of bad performance.
I tried everything, driver update, reinstallation and using the Intel Pro Wireless software, all to no success.
But fortunately, I had a ATI wireless card from a bricked T60, and with that the T60 now functions normal.
There was no error messages in device manager and no other error messages - and the internet field strength bars were fine.
Could this particular card be defective, HW wise?

[hhmcsv]

So, nobody have tried to upgrade to Win8.1 using the Intel wifi card?

Anyway, to rule out possible HW failure in the particular Intel 3945abg-card, I ordered one on ebay to experiment with.
On my ATI card, upload/download speeds were measured to 8,04/0,85 Mbit/s.
On the Intel card, the same test gave 8,10/0,06 Mbit/s. That is, upload is virtually non existent using this card on the same (mine) T60. My connection is nominally 10/1 Mbit/s
As I have 2 more T60's in the family with Intel cards, I have bought ATI replacements for the forthcoming upgrade of these machines to Win 8.1

[Cigarguy]

Considering the age of 3945abg cards, it's hardly surprising that nobody is make good drivers for these cards under Windows 8. I don't blame them, why bother, where's the return on investment in that. No device is supported indefinitely, it's enough for me that they provided decent drivers up to Win 7.

Having said that, the few machines that came with a 3945abg is no longer running with that card. All have been upgrade to a 6200n, 6300n or latest Atheros card. For a $20ish upgrade it's definitely worth it for the heat and energy efficiency alone.

[kajencik]

Cigarguy: This is interesting, can you tell me exactly what card do you recommend? I have X61 tablet with windows 8.1 with the modded bios so I can install any card and I plan to upgrade wifi in it (currently I have intel 4965ag which does not support n and has also other problems under windows 8.1), but I was not sure which card to choose so it would work properly under win 8.1