T42 2379DXU Concern: Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG

[mgp]

Hi Everyone,

After speaking with family ThinkPad owners and lurking around this forum for the past week or so , I've come to decide on purchasing a 2379DXU (T42).

I previously owned a Dell Inspiron 8600 with the following specs:

15.4 Widescreen UXGA (1920X1200 res)
1.8 Dothan
1GB PC2700
128MB ATI Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo
60GB 7200RPM w/8mb cache HD
DVD-CDRW Combo Drive
Broadcom b/g WiFi
WinXP Pro

FYI - I returned this machine after getting 4 STRAIGHT defective 8600's from Dell. The first had a bad LCD (colored bands across the screen), the second had a dent on the palmrest (like someone had dropped a blunt object on the plastic), third had a huge white patch on the screen. and the fourth has a bad fan + 4/6 of the rubber standoffs that protect the screen when closed fell out). Not to mention that all of the Dells had very creaky cases and were anything but sturdy. By the way, I'm not being overly negative with Dell -- just truthful about my rough, nightmarish experience with their laptops. I actually own a Dell PDA which I completely LOVE.

ANYHOW,

Though this system's specs best the IBM ThinkPad's (2379DXU) in the areas of screen resolution/size, cpu, and video chipset (I'm willing to pay more and give up features here and there for reliability), I wanted to ask if I should be aware of anything related to the Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG wireless solution that is standard with the 2379DXU. I always preferred the IBM-branded a/b/g WiFi adapter, but, as the model I'm looking at is a ThinkExpress machine, I really cannot swap out the Intel wireless chip for an IBM/Cisco one.

It seems that most people prefer the non-Centrino setup -- may I ask why? Does the Intel 2200BG have reliability issues (drivers, connection drops, signal problems) or technology constraints?

I'm a college student where wireless is available on campus, and I really want to get a laptop with great wireless capabilities -- as a matter of fact, my Dell actually had a great wireless adaptor (perhaps one of the only characteristics from the Dell that I'd want to see on the ThinkPad).

--> For any IBM ThinkPad T42 2379DXU owners, would you please comment (go ahead, be critical ) on my concern? Thanks for all of your help!


EDIT: Now I'm especially concerned having noticed the following thread about the 2200BG not functioning:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=3539

[jsmit86]

I have an express model with an Intel 2200BG card.
I have had no problems with the card.

A lot of the "issues" you will see discussed here are a result of not correctly configuring the wireless software.

IBM includes an excellent program called Access Connections. I has the ability to manage both wired and wireless connection with multiple profiles. It can store special settings ie. DHCP vs. Static IP, proxy settings, security settings etc. It also can usually chose the proper available connection from any of the profiles you have set up. I use it and HIGHLY RECOMMEND it. But......... if you try to let Windows manage the wireless connection too, you can run into trouble. Most of the problems discussed on the forum here revolve around not using the updated version of Access Connections, or the conflicts that can arise out of trying to let 2 different programs control the connection.

If you do not like Access Connections, then feel free to let WinXP manage your connections - just make sure not to use Access Connections in that case.

In summary, I suggest you take the time to give Access Connections a whirl. It is a powerful tool when properly configured. In addition, the 2200BG card is a good one. Like any hardware, it is always possible to get a lemon, in which case IBM will stand behind the PC.

[Humpa]

I received my 2378-DXU in June, and like jsmit86, I have had no problems whatsoever with the 2200BG. No drops, so signal strength problems, no problems connecting/reconnecting ...
I usually let Windows configure my wireless settings, but I have used IBM's Access Connections too (I've gone back and forth a few times for no particular reason). Like jsmit86 said, if you use Access Conn, just make sure to uncheck the "let windows configure wireless" box.
I also have SP2 installed, and everything is still perfect - I didn't have to change a thing (both Windows wireless config and Access Connections seem to like SP2).

I think the only reason to get the IBM a/b/g card is for the Atheros Client utility. The IBM a/b/g uses the Atheros chipset, and there are "things" you can do with that chipset - like use the extended channels (illegal in some countries - like the US) and the 108Mbps Super G (if you have a router that supports these).

[juancferrer]

doesn't the 2200BG support the extended channels too?? I've got the extended channels enabled, but i really have no idea if they work because i have no AP to test them out.

[Humpa]

juancferrer, I thought I had seen that option. But I figured it must have been on one of my routers or something, because I couldn't find it again. Is that option in Access Connections? I am not using that at the moment, so I can't go and look very easily ...

[bsod]

The only issue with the 2200BG is if you buy it from Intel, not from IBM. See that.

[dpb]

My T42 23733VU has some dropped connection problems with the Intel 2200 b/g. I seriously considered the IBM a/b/g card ($70 on eBay), but decided to hold off. IBM releases new cards from time to time and they are generally fully compatible across the Thinkpad line (with some exceptions, I'm sure). Several new WiFi standards are coming down the pipeline, so I'm sure we'll see something within the next 12 months.

I'm going to wait and upgrade to IBM's next WiFi card with an Atheros chipset (my router has an Atheros chipset and it's always a good idea to match them).

Just something to consider.

[mgp]

Thanks for all of the helpful input so far! dpb, I really appreciate your candid post, but I was wondering if you might be running into the issue stated in this thread about wireless setup mishaps between the IBM connection mgr and Windows?

As always, I'd certainly love to hear more from the community!

[JohnV]

I have a T42 / 2379DXU with the Intel 2200BG card using IBM access conections and it works great. Also to add to that I have run WEP and now run WPA encryption with no issues either.

John

[mgp]

So assuming that it's the IBM Connection software that causes the connectivity problems and NOT the 2200BG, I wanted to ask why does the IBM software cause wireless issues?

I connect to my school's wireless network, but must follow steps in order to configure Windows to work (and also install Cisco VPN software). Does this process sound like it could interfere with the IBM Wireless Connection software?

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

[jsmit86]

I used Access connections with Cisco with no problems. My company recently added AT&T Global VPN that works over broadband (and dialup) and again all works well. When I used Cisco, I had not set up all of the proxy settings in Access connections, but if I had realized how to do so at the time it would have made my life easier.

Regarding "why the Access Connections has so many problems" .... it really doesn't as long as you properly configure it, and pick only having Access Connections manage your connections. The keys are > disable having windows manage you conneciton, and make sure that Access connections is at version 3.21 or greater. I am using 3.30. That release is supposed to work better with WinXP SP2, so i upgraded to prepare for my XP SP2 install.

[bootleg2go]

Hi mgp,
I own the 2378-DXU it's the exact same physical notebook as the 2379-DXU except the 2379 has a 3yr warranty and the 2378 is only 1yr and it's a couple hundred cheaper. I have not had any problems with the Intel 2200 at all, I think most of the problems described by other posters in this thread could very well be related to the wireless router as easily as the 2200 card. I had an Intel 2100 card in my R40 and I was getting dropped connections and such and the problem ended up being defective linksys routers; got two bad ones in a row and then bought a netgear and all has been fine ever since.

good luck, I'm sure you will be happier with your thinkpad and if you want to save some more cash go for the 2378DXU

Jack

[sugo]

My old laptop has an Atheros 5002G mini-pci card (the IBM one is also Atheros). While their windows XP wireless utility is absolutely a joy to use, the range on the 2200BG has a much greater range. I was able to establish a connection where the Atheros could not even see the access point.

The intel 8.0 driver is known to cause blue screens of death. I am using the new 8.1.026 driver with airport express in WPA-PSK mode and never got a blue screen. I am just using windows xp sp2 WZC. No disconnections here.

[mgp]

Ok...so far it looks like there is no real reason for me not to buy the 2379DXU with the 2200BG wireless (I don't need the "a" standard). Thanks everyone for all of your help...IBM Thinkpad T42 2379DXU here I come...