T41 Wireless dropping

[gbatch3]

As I said in another post, we recently acquired 3 ThinkPad T41, Type 2373 laptops. I have successfully restored the factory software, drivers etc. with ISO files I found on BitTorrent. Our office has both wired and wireless network access. The wired connection works fine on all 3 ThinkPads. The wireless, however, is another story.

All 3 have the Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI Adapter. I've updated the drivers for the adapter on all 3 to Version 1.2.4.41 dated July 31, 2006 from Lenovo's site. The adapters seem to work fine - they connect to wireless networks in and out of the office. BUT, as soon as data begins to download (like a Windows update), the connection is broken and clicking on the icon tells me that the adapter is searching for a new IP address. It does reconnect, but then will drop the connection soon again. The networks I have used so far all use DHCP to assign an IP address. I don't think it is the adapters, otherwise I don't think I'd be getting any connection. And, the behavior on all 3 machines is identical. I have Windows managing my connections. This problem occurs with the original driver and the updated driver.

So, I am wondering if there is some setting in Windows or somewhere that I need to change to solve this problem? I've searched this forum and didn't find any similar issues discussed.

Thx for any and all suggestions.

[RealBlackStuff]

Those are ancient 802.11b wifi cards, limited to 11Mb.
Replace them with e.g. Intel 2200BG cards, P/N 39T0077, such as these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Thinkpad-T4 ... 0742363397
Install the proper drivers and you should be fine.

[Neil]

Switching adapters might work, unless this is a sign of failing SouthBridge BGA. That was the case with at least one T42 that I once had. Kind of unlikely, I guess, though if all three are doing the same thing.

[gbatch3]

Thx. Never occurred to me but will try that replacement.

Those are ancient 802.11b wifi cards, limited to 11Mb.
Replace them with e.g. Intel 2200BG cards, P/N 39T0077, such as these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Thinkpad-T4 ... 0742363397
Install the proper drivers and you should be fine.

[RealBlackStuff]

If that were a Southbridge problem, OP would not just be dropping wifi connections, but also shifting to USB1.1, no longer recognizing the hard drive, not be able to read/write CDs or DVDs, have no ethernet connections, parallel port, etc.
He just has crappy wifi cards...