Help Request for an Intel 2100 Mini PCI Problem

[jank0003]

The wireless connection on my T41 no longer works. My system is under warranty and has a Intel 2100 card. I have been going through the rounds with IBM tech support: Did a clean install of windows, replaced the wireless card, and replaced the motherboard and still the wireless card only works intermittently. The drivers are all current and I have tried the old drivers and old thinkvantage connections. When the card is broken I am no longer able to access all the functions in the driver; in particular the one that enables/disables the windows control of the card. As far as windows is concerned the PCI card is powered down even though the blinking green light says otherwise. Usually the wireless card will work after I uninstall and then reinstall all the drivers. Once I shut off the computer and then restart the wireless card will no longer respond and some of the tabs for the driver will be missing. Occasionally the ethernet jack and the USB ports will also not respond.

At this point I am escalated to the point of frustration. I've put 40+ hours into this problem with no apparent solution. In fact I feel the failures of my wireless connection are more frequent. Any suggestions for getting the most out of my IBM support contract and/or fixes to get my laptop working again?

[cmarti]

Why don't you try upgrade the card to a IBM Atheros 802.11a/b/g card or even a Intel 2200 pro card?

Come on, the card that you have have maybe the problem.

[jank0003]

Why don't you try upgrade the card to a IBM Atheros 802.11a/b/g card or even a Intel 2200 pro card?

Come on, the card that you have have maybe the problem.

The card in the machine now is a replacement from IBM. Third time the charm?

[tomh009]

Why don't you try upgrade the card to a IBM Atheros 802.11a/b/g card or even a Intel 2200 pro card?

Come on, the card that you have have maybe the problem.

The card in the machine now is a replacement from IBM. Third time the charm?

It's sounding more like a Windows problem. Do you have enough free disk space to install a second copy of Windows on your T41? That would at least allow you test this hypothesis, and see whether the wireless works with a clean Windows install. If it does not, at least you have not wiped out your existing Windows.

[jank0003]

It's sounding more like a Windows problem. Do you have enough free disk space to install a second copy of Windows on your T41? That would at least allow you test this hypothesis, and see whether the wireless works with a clean Windows install. If it does not, at least you have not wiped out your existing Windows.

Right now I am working with a clean install of Windows with all the IBM upgrades; straight from the backup disks.

I happen to have an extra hard drive on which I installed Fedora Linux. Though not a Linux expert, I think the correct 2100 drivers are installed. In Linux the wireless card does not respond; typically hanging when I attempt to activate the wireless connection.

Knowing this, I am leaning towards the problem originating with the wireless card. That I experience the same problem with the new wireless card as the old suggests that both cards have the same problem. IBM likely replaced my old card with a defective refurb.

I still am unable to explain why the USB and the ethernet jack sometimes stop working. This is a major problem because I depend on the USB (KVM Switch) and the Ethernet connection for work.

[agarza]

Since when did you spotted this problem?
How long the laptop is with you (you're the only owner, or did you buy it used)?

Well, here some options:

1. You could try to buy another PCI wireless card to see if that works
2. Reset all the settings in your BIOS
3. Try testing the card in other machine (might be difficult to find one buddy willing for you to do the swap)
4. Sell the laptop

Have you tried installing only the card driver using Device Manager in Windows: from a clean install of Windows, go to device manager, devmgmt.msc in a run box. where it says ethernet controller, right click, update driver. Point to the location the setup files are for the wireless card. And let windows install it without the additional software.

Good luck

[jank0003]

Since when did you spotted this problem?
How long the laptop is with you (you're the only owner, or did you buy it used)?

Well, here some options:

1. You could try to buy another PCI wireless card to see if that works
2. Reset all the settings in your BIOS
3. Try testing the card in other machine (might be difficult to find one buddy willing for you to do the swap)
4. Sell the laptop

Have you tried installing only the card driver using Device Manager in Windows: from a clean install of Windows, go to device manager, devmgmt.msc in a run box. where it says ethernet controller, right click, update driver. Point to the location the setup files are for the wireless card. And let windows install it without the additional software.

Good luck

I have had the laptop for two years. I bought it open box from CDW back in the days when this saved me $500. Besides this hiccup I have had no problems with the laptop. Though, I must admit, the wireless always seemed a little sketchy.

All good (and new) suggetions. Well except #4. I'll give them a try tonight and see what happens. Thank you!

[jank0003]

After attempting to call the guy IBM/Lenovo assigned to my case (5x today and 3x Friday and 2x Thursday and 1x Wednesday) I gave up and went with option #1. At this point I see no reason to buy another laptop, much less an extended warranty, from IBM/Lenovo. May as well buy a super cheap laptop and throw it in the trash when it causes me problems.

[tyito2000]

I've done alot of research on similar problems with my T41. Before drop kicking the laptop, remove all batteries, disconnect ac, remove CMOS battery, wait 30 minutes, install new CMOS battery. When you power up, you need to wait for the CMOS to relearn your system. Takes about 2 minutes. If you want to see it learning, hit esc at POST.

[coreman]

Personally I think it is driver related, it would be very unlikely (and unlucky) to get (2) bad wireless cards back to back. And the motherboard is ruled out as well...

Okay...I have a bit of a radical solution but one that worked for me on my T30 (for a different problem)...do a "Reset" of your laptop.

As I understand this, it formats the "C" drive and reinstalls all of the original drivers/software. I didn't realize this was going to happen until it happened but like a good little boy, I had all my files backed up to CDR.

I am not sure if this is what you mean by "clean install" of XP. I've had driver problems with both my 2100adapter and still have intermittent problems with USB ports throttling down to 1.1 (have to do a "driver dance" of uninstalling/installing a couple of different drivers to restore functionality). The USB problem started after I updated to Win XP Pro SP2...one of MS's major instructions is to go out and update all the hardware drivers after the SP2 upgrade...I think that is a mistake...next time I will wait until something actually breaks before I do automatic updates (which I have disabled...)

THe description of your problem (since it also includes USB and Ethernet) does sound like driver issues to me and not hardware.

I am now running my wireless on driver dated Feb 2005, I had many problems with poor internet connections (had to do repair when changing webpage) with latest driver (July 2006). Since I went back to old driver, wireless is working flawlessly...

PS: I removed Access Connections and use Windows only for wireless