Upgrade T30 WiFi to Intel 2915?

[Wynveen]

The mini PCI network card in my new to me T30 seems very flaky and in need of an upgrade. In hours of trying it only found a network once (peer-to-peer 2' away), and when booting up or resuming from sleep mode it slows the system to a crawl every few seconds - even the mouse won't respond during the system slowdowns. If I disable the card under network connections, the system acts just fine.

So, I'm interested in the IBM 2915 a/b/g card, but am concerned about the BIOS issues. I have a copy of no-1802 handy already, but I don't want to deal with the too many ethernet controllers boot up message. I've not seen any one say the 2915 won't work on a T30, but I can't find any messages confirming it does either.

BTW - I'm not considering an Atheros based card as it seems no one has figured out a way around the too many ethernet controllers boot up warning for that card.

Thanks,
Steve

[wireless4laptop]

Not sure if 2915 can work on t30 (but it can work on t23, A31 without 1802). If you must use 1802 jumping software, why not choose a OEM intel 2915, cheaper than IBM with FRU.

you can also choose a Broadcom 4309 wifi card, need 1802 jumping. But fully working.

[Wynveen]

I mistyped when I said IBM 2915, I really meant to say Intel. I've ordered an OEM Intel card off of Newegg for about $30. Should be here on Monday. We'll see if it works.

Too bad no one posted earlier. I would have ordered a broadcom based card, as I'd rather not be the pioneering experimenter with this 2915 card.

Steve

[wireless4laptop]

Dear Steve,
Don't worry. 2915 should be working after cracking 1802.

[andrey]

Intel 2915abg works fine in T30 and there is no need to do 1802 BIOS hack.

I purchased Intel 2915abg from Newegg (Dell branded) and it worked fine in my T30 out of the box with absolutely no modifications at all.

-- Andrey

[Wynveen]

Got my 2915 card from Newegg. It did require the no-1082 hack to work. I tried it initially without running the hack but did indeed get the 1082 error message. At no time did I get a too many ethernet controllers message (woohoo).

The card works great, has great range (access point in the basement, I can get signal out in the street), and I really do like the Intel PROSet Network selection utility. In fact, I'm writing this message on my newly set up wireless home network on my T30.

Steve

[zone]

At no time did I get a too many ethernet controllers message (woohoo).

Does no-1082.com also eliminates "too many ethernet controllers" warning?

I have that message with Gigabyte (Atheros) Super G card in A31p at startup.

[Wynveen]

I do not believe no-1082 fixes that. From what I have read in these forums, no one yet knows of a fix for "too many ethernet controllers" start up error message. That is what prompted my original question, and is why I chose the less popular Intel 2915 over the Atheros card.

So far, no complaints using the 2915 connected to a Linksys WRT54G (v5). The connection is rock solid and has better range than I had imagined. For $31 off of Newegg, this card was so cheap is almost feels like I stole something.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6833106219