WiFi upgrade options for A31p

[malachont]

Hi,

I have a 3COM Officeconnect (3CRWE554G72T Router) G network at home. My A31p only has the B standard built in, of course, so I'm looking to upgrade. However since it is usually located at the thin end of the reception range (usually operates at 30% sig. strength or so), I would appreciate comments regarding reception quality differences between the Intel 2915ABG and Atheros, if anyone has any.

I don't know how to get the IBM Wifi II card (I'm not based in the USA)
but there is a shop here (Israel) which sells the Gigabyte GN-WIAG02 Atheros Mini PCI 108 MBps Card (and the 2915ABG is not difficult to find).
Do both cards have the connection to the A31p's screen antenna?
And is the above Atheros identical to the IBM model..
As I understand it, the 2915 doesn't need the Bios Patch to remove the error messages on boot, is that right and should it be a factor in deciding..?

I have tried to look for patches for the 3COM router that increase its broadcast strength (as available for some other Router brands) but didn't find any.

Thanks (in advance!)

[a31pguy]

Get the intel card (2915ABG) - it works with the latest standards and doesn't give you the "too many ethernet controllers" bios error. It also works with Access Connections 4.0.

[schen]

My wife's A30 has the same WiFi B card as you and I've also been considering putting another card in it since I've just bought a D-Link 108 AP that uses the Atheros chip. My T23 has the Atheros 5001x+ card in it, but gives the "too many ethernet controllers" error. Of course I just escape out of that and continue. My experience in range with the Atheros card has been very good. Far superior to the Intel card in the A30, so I'll consider going that route on my wifes machine as well. I think I have to go with an Atheros card to be able to get the 108 on the new AP. Anyone out there know that definitively?

[gregpilot]

I had this identical problem in my A31p.
The 01c9 error has been solved.

I believe the Atheros card has better control over the transmit power over other cards and has exceptional sensitivity. I am using the card sometimes sold as a CM-9.
I have personally performed this fix and it works on my a31p with the card (Atheros AR5004 4th gen chipset. AR5213 (MAC+BB) + AR5112 (2.4/5GHz radio).

For the fix, go here:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=20365

I presume you have performed the 1802 fix and your card is already installed, so disregard the part about the 1802 and go on to the second step to flash the cards EEPROM.

Good luck!

[malachont]

I'm leaning towards the Atheros (there are more user reports in its favour compared to the 2915ABG, albeit in IBM dress)
However how do I make sure the Gigabit GN-WIAG02 card they are selling me is the same as the IBM model, chipwise... what specs should I look for?

(Atheros AR5004 4th gen chipset or Cm-9..?)

Thanks

[schen]

At the risk of restating stuff that has been discuss in older threads, I'll have to report my experience over the weekend with installing my new D-Link AP. I specifically went out and sought out an Atheros chipped AP since I had read that they would automatically run at 108 "Super G" with the Atheros Mini-PCI card. I'm happy to report that, it is accurate. My T23 with the Atheros card connected right up and reported that it was running at 108. I haven't run test on this connection yet, but anecdotal evidence indicates that it's significantly faster. And with these APs regularly running $30-$40 after rebate, they are a good upgrade for folks still using 802.11b devices. I bought my D-Link KI-624 at CompUSA for $30 after 3 different rebates! Now, an Atheros card for my wife's A30 is next.

[malachont]

$30 router... Well just so that ya'll American folks can appreciate your retail industry, in Israel we'd have to multiply that by 5 or so, and forget about returning a product no questions asked it after it leaves the shop, legislation proposals to allow that are only now coming into place..!

By the way didn't your Atheros card exhibit the "multiple devices" error that is reported to still occur in the non-IBM Atheros cards even after the bios patch?
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... ght=wiag02

Thanks

[cpn]

Is there a difference in the IBM version of the card p/n 41N2990 vs the Intel Box version p/n WM3B2915ABGNAX ? (Besides price and who would give you warranty support) Thanks.

Craig