x60 Drops wireless connection after half an hour

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SkiBunny · #31 Post by **SkiBunny** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 11:58 pm

holdenburg wrote: Hi...
I am wondering if I can challange for replacement of the Intel and request the Atheros?

Depends on whether the FRU you want is on the IBM Service packing list of equivalent parts for your specific machine.
Cannot hurt to ask... often there is more than one equivalent part avail.

I have always preferred the Atheros, but the downside is it draws more power. Same goes for the T2400, which was noticeably more zippy when i compared them all here side-by-side at IBM.

yiplong · #32 Post by **yiplong** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:07 pm

I made x60 run on battery this morning and the annoying internet dropping issue returned. This issue is certainly power related.
After the problem returns, I also lost control of my computer, as everything on screen started to flash. There was a dialog box that says something like "system cannot enter standby because your wireless network adapter is not responding". This is from memory I am not sure if it is right.
It has to do with some power management scheme, but I don't think it is hardware related. If the adapter works on AC power, it should likewise works on battery. If it doesn't work on battery, as is the case here, it must be a driver or some other software issue.

PS: I tried changing the setting around, nothing worked. I will see if updating the driver will fix the problem. I can care less if the Fn + F5 button works or not. If the wireless internet doesn't work on battery, that pretty much means this laptop is un-usable when running off battery, because large part of what I do is legal rsearch on Westlaw and Nexis. I bought this thing partially for it is supposedly long battery life, what is the point of a long battery life if wireless won't work when running off battery? I must warn other associates in the law firm not to touch another Lenovo product. This is really outrageous.

SkiBunny · #33 Post by **SkiBunny** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:55 pm

yiplong wrote: I bought this thing partially for it is supposedly long battery life, what is the point of a long battery life if wireless won't work when running off battery?

I agree completely. I can/have run continuously for 7 hours on battery with wireless on no problem. In fact, when the router to which I'm connected dies, mine automatically switches to using the secondary router (as set up in Access Connections). But,.. i have the atheros.
What you're describing is the Intel problem. Swtiching to another intel platform with intel wifi would seem unlikely to resolve your problem.
(oh, my T40 series are all atheros too and they have strong reliable wifi too)

yiplong · #34 Post by **yiplong** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:06 pm

Tried installing the Intel driver, wireless connection seems to sustain for a little longer, but it still drops after about 30 minutes.
Has anyone tried with a clean installation of windows xp? What about a different version of the BIOS?
I guess it is too late to return this piece of crap to Lenovo now that I have had it for more than 1 month.

#35 Post by **Kyocera** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:50 pm

yiplong, I feel your pain, been dealing with the intel card in my t60 since day one with it's problems, including getting a replacement card from Lenovo with no change. I recently updated everything, bios, and software and have noticed a slight improvement in length of time staying connected and connecting after coming out of hibernation. Lucky for me i have a t30 that connects all day long. So I've been switching back and forth till Lenovo hopefully comes out with an answer for this wireless nightmare.

SkiBunny · #36 Post by **SkiBunny** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:57 pm

This year, most of the preconfigured thinkpads (except most X-series models) are preconfigured with the Intel 3945...

So is this wireless problem a common/prevalent complaint?

yiplong... you are going thru too much grief. Have you explained it to IBM Service and asked for a replacement? Request the FRU part corresponding to the Atheros card, like holdenberg did.

lev · #37 Post by **lev** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 7:14 pm

yiplong,

Did you try running the PC-Doctor diagnostics (from the recovery environment, not from windows). Maybe they will show a hardware fault somewhere else in your setup.
You could try pulling out the wireless card and reseating it, in case of a bad connection.
By default the wireless card is set to use "medium" power savings. This actually means that it uses the power saving mode when it's on battery, and doesn't use the power saving mode when it's using the AC adapter. It's possible there is a problem for you only when it tries to use the power saving mode. This could either be a problem with your hardware (wireless card or motherboard) or it could also be a problem with the wireless access point (I've heard stories that some APs are not good with the power-saving mode -- it requires them to hold onto messages until your laptop is ready for them). You can try to adjust the power saving mode either in access connections (under "advanced configuration" on the "wireless settings" tab) or via the microsoft dialog box (start device manager, choose your network card, look on the "advanced tab" for "power management"). I think access connections overrides the microsoft setting, if you use access connections

yiplong · #38 Post by **yiplong** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 7:21 pm

I might have found a cure. In properties, under advanced tab, there is a setting for 'power management', and under that, there is a slider. I pull the slider all the way to the right, (max performance, min power saving). Seems like this solves the problem. However, it needs further test.
One thing we can be sured of though, is that, is is 100% a power related problem. And it is probably related to some power saving scheme built-in to the wireless chip.

lev · #39 Post by **lev** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:13 pm

yiplong wrote:I might have found a cure. In properties, under advanced tab, there is a setting for 'power management', and under that, there is a slider. I pull the slider all the way to the right, (max performance, min power saving). Seems like this solves the problem. However, it needs further test.
One thing we can be sured of though, is that, is is 100% a power related problem. And it is probably related to some power saving scheme built-in to the wireless chip.

The issue is described by intel:
http://support.intel.com/support/wirele ... 006205.htm

They say you should ask for an updated firmware for the access point from it's manufacturer. In the meantime, disabling power saving mode will help.

Lev

#40 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:44 pm

I was browsing Intel's site earlier this evening and ran across the following page. Maybe it will help some of you solve your issues. I skimmed this thread and did not see that the page has been referenced to date. Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection

azimi3 · #41 Post by **azimi3** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 3:05 pm

yiplong wrote:I might have found a cure. In properties, under advanced tab, there is a setting for 'power management', and under that, there is a slider. I pull the slider all the way to the right, (max performance, min power saving). Seems like this solves the problem. However, it needs further test.
One thing we can be sured of though, is that, is is 100% a power related problem. And it is probably related to some power saving scheme built-in to the wireless chip.

Tried it, her wireless just dropped connection after about 15 minutes.

Another problem, this one is on my notebook. The windows wireless icon in the taskbar has dissapeared for no reason. Also, when I right click on "My network places" and go to "Properties". There used to be my wireless connection and my LAN connection here previously but it is no longer here. However I can still connect to the internet both wirelessly and hardwired. Anyone know what's up?

azimi3 · #42 Post by **azimi3** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 3:22 pm

I just thought of something. My gf's connection seems to go out mostly at school when there are multiple access points for her laptop to connect to.

I just noticed a feature, if you double click on your Thinkvantage Access Connections in the tasbar and click "Modify WLAN Settings" and go to the "General Settings" tab. Uncheck the "Disable this wireless radio when switching to another location."

Might work?

#43 Post by **Kyocera** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 5:10 pm

holdenburg wrote:

Hi...
I am wondering if I can challange for replacement of the Intel and request the Atheros?

I tried this when I called tech support, the guy said I could only replace with the same fru that shipped with the machine.

SkiBunny · #44 Post by **SkiBunny** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:23 pm

Yes but a FRU has interchangeable parts.
Not saying that you can (or cannot) get an atheros in this case.
But sometimes you can (and i have) gotten a replacement part made by a different manufacturer or even with different specs.

#45 Post by **Kyocera** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:30 pm

The tech support guy said I had to *receive* from them (lenovo) the *same* exact part (wireless card intel) that my machine shipped with. So no I could not switch to the athero's.

This is my experience and it did piss me off a bit. Since I think the intel cards are not what they should be for a quality machine.

medvitund · #46 Post by **medvitund** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 7:10 am

Just to add my experience to the pot:

1 month old X60s, worked fine to begin with. In the last week it has developed the following problem: It keeps dropping wireless every 5 mins or so; the wireless simply powers itself off. I can use ThinkVantage (or fn+f5) to power-on the wireless again, after which the system reconnects. But this is infruriating. The problem is less pronounced with AC power (i.e., so far it seems that it works OK when restarted under AC power but not when plugged into AC after being started under battery).

Is there any consensus about how to solve this problem, if in fact it is the same problem as described above (note: I do NOT have to restart in order to regain connectivity).

Thanks for your help.

#47 Post by **GomJabbar** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 7:19 am

@medvitund

To me, your problem sounds like what is described below. The solution is there as well.

http://support.intel.com/support/wirele ... 006205.htm

yiplong · #48 Post by **yiplong** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 10:51 am

azimi3 wrote:
yiplong wrote:I might have found a cure. In properties, under advanced tab, there is a setting for 'power management', and under that, there is a slider. I pull the slider all the way to the right, (max performance, min power saving). Seems like this solves the problem. However, it needs further test.
One thing we can be sured of though, is that, is is 100% a power related problem. And it is probably related to some power saving scheme built-in to the wireless chip.
Tried it, her wireless just dropped connection after about 15 minutes.

Another problem, this one is on my notebook. The windows wireless icon in the taskbar has dissapeared for no reason. Also, when I right click on "My network places" and go to "Properties". There used to be my wireless connection and my LAN connection here previously but it is no longer here. However I can still connect to the internet both wirelessly and hardwired. Anyone know what's up?

I don't know, it worked for me.
PS: I not only changed the power management setting, but also uninstalled Access Connection and updated the driver to latest version. Maybe it is the combination of both actions that solved the problem.

holdrege · #49 Post by **holdrege** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 3:58 am

medvitund wrote:Just to add my experience to the pot:

1 month old X60s, worked fine to begin with. In the last week it has developed the following problem: It keeps dropping wireless every 5 mins or so; the wireless simply powers itself off. I can use ThinkVantage (or fn+f5) to power-on the wireless again, after which the system reconnects.

I have the same problem, only the new X60s in the US seem to ship now with an Atheros chip. So the Intel fixes don't help us.

I've only had this laptop a few days and haven't tried a lot of tests yet, but it seems that the WLAN shuts off after a few minutes when on battery. I tried turning off power save, but that doesn't seem to have an effect. However I am plugged into the AC now and it seems to work OK now.

I miss the Intel WiFi manager. Is there another decent one out there for Atheros? Or am I stuck with ThinkVantage Access Connections?

SkiBunny · #50 Post by **SkiBunny** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 9:54 am

Access connections and the atheros both work flawlessly - in every regard. Don't see any posts anywhere about problems.

As for new X's, the C2D ones seem to be preconfigured only with intel 3945 now.

yiplong · #51 Post by **yiplong** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:32 pm

The Intel wireless chip sucks, I can't believe they make something that doesn't even work property.

#52 Post by **tomh009** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 1:39 pm

azimi3 wrote:I just thought of something. My gf's connection seems to go out mostly at school when there are multiple access points for her laptop to connect to.

This can be caused by the "fighting access points" syndrome, where multiple access points share overlapping channels (a big issue with 802.11b/g/n in busy areas) and interfere with each other.

If, on the other hand, you still lose connections with only one access point visible, it's definitely a different problem.

x60 Drops wireless connection after half an hour

Re: My solution for unexpected wifi powerdown

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