T40, Intel 2100 3B Wireless and bad scalp hair depletion...

[lilserenity]

Hello,

First off I have searched, quite thoroughly to resolve this issue but although I have yielded some hints, nothing absolutely conclusive.

The problem is that presently until I can sort my 'new' T40 out with XP, I'm using Windows 2000 which is fine enough. Wireless however is driving me potty.

It has a 2100 3B (?) card from Intel which from what I have ascertained, it's aquired the fortunate and well regarded term of "junk"

I would replace it but it's another £10-15 on a suitable mini PCI card and soon my cheap T40 suddenly becomes a more expensive aquisition.

So I'm going to fight it out and despite pulling my hair out over this one already I need to confirm what I have understood.

The laptop came with XP Pro on it however it wasn't legit, but before I wiped it, I did have my Mac and T40 talking happily to each other in a P2P setup using XP SP2's wireless manager. So the card is not a dud.

I wiped the hard disk, installed Windows 2000 and all the drivers, including Access Connections, Hotkey Manager and the 2100 3B drivers (of which its installer was pathetic and doesn't tell you whether it is installing or not).

Rebooted and Access Connections complains that Wireless Radio is Off, click to turn on. Nothing, nada, zilch. No-thing as Phar Lap Jones would say...

Doing the gig in System properties, right click on the Wireless Network adapter and Advanced, the top option to check the wireless device on/off and Apply does work.

This to me tells me that Access Connections and the 2100 3B don't like each other much. I've tried installing, reinstalling, uninstalling as per some very good instructions here (though labelled for XP and the 2200BG card) to no avail.

Tried uninstalling Hotkey manager etc., nothing.

The only thing I do understand is that I would have success (probably) with Intel's ProSet v7 software instead of Access Connections under Win 2K.

Is this indeed the case? I am assuming once I have XP on this machine I'll install the driver and use Windows' wifi manager.

Like I say I have searched but not been able to uncover a solution to using Access Connections + Win 2K + Intel 2100 3B driver. (All sourced from IBM's driver matrix). Also I did a re-install of Windows...

The 2100 3B Driver version is 1.2.1.1 (13/7/2006) and
Access Connections version (which won't start up now....) is the latest version that I could get from IBM's site.

Any ideas? I know this is long winded but I felt I should be thorough.

Thanks in advance,

Vicky

[dorronto]

Boy..............................tired just reading that..................Only kidding, anyway did you try (hopefully I didn't miss it) letting Windows control your wireless connection and not Access Connections?? My T40 uses Access Connection, but I have had other IBM's and windows does a decent job in connecting and controlling wifi connections...............

Good luck,
Ron

[lilserenity]

Ok, how do I set Windows 2000 to manage wifi connections?

I'm not sure it can as it doesn't have the software unlike XP?

Or maybe I'm being stupid. I would love to know if this will get it working!

Thanks,
Vicky

[dorronto]

I don't use W2k anymore, so I'm making assumptions here. Go to settings-Network connections-right click the wifi connection-left click properties and I believe (from xp though) one of tabs that pops up has a check box that states "let windows manage your wireless connection" , check it and see......to the best of my knowledge.................

Hopefully it's there

Ron

[GomJabbar]

The 2100 3B Driver version is 1.2.1.1 (13/7/2006) and
Access Connections version (which won't start up now....) is the latest version that I could get from IBM's site.

The latest Intel 2100 3B driver for you would be Version: 1.2.4.41, Release Date: 2006/08/08.

Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI adapter software for Windows 2000/XP - ThinkPad R40, R50, R50e, R50p, R51, T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p, X31, X40

Uninstall Access Connections first, then uninstall the Intel 2100 software. Reboot, then install the Intel 2100 software, reboot, then reinstall Access Connections.

You do realize that when you download software from the device driver page, generally you must first execute the file to extract it's contents to your hard drive, then you must execute SETUP.EXE from the appropriate directory to actually install the software or driver.

Here is another option if you would rather try it. Uninstall the Intel 2100 software and Access Connections including profiles. Reboot, then install the following:

IBM Access Connections (Back level version) for Windows 2000, XP (WARNING: See document for critical installation limitations) - ThinkPad General

EDIT: What I meant, if you want to try the Back Level Version is to download and install IBM Access Connections + wireless LAN driver pack - not IBM Access Connections for Windows 2000/XP (without wireless drivers).

[lilserenity]

Hello,

Thanks, I am aware of the unpacking and then going to C:\Drivers etc. I recalled the version installed being 'older' due to me sourcing it on Intel's site hoping it may work.

It didn't. So I have since re-installed 1.2.4.41 and it made no difference.

It's worth noting I followed a thread (or two?) which had some very extensive instructions of moving linked libraries here and there, registry edits and so forth. Nothing sadly I just don't want anyone to think I hadn't looked hard enough for the solution.

However--I have got it working thanks to your second link! Yes an old driver with an old version of Access Connections has got it working a treat.

Thank you ever so much! I shall forever make sure from this day forth never to let anything touch the wireless drivers and Access Connections

Thank you again,
Vicky

[lilserenity]

<-- I've fixed my e-mail now...

Hopefully it's there

Ron

Sadly that is an XP only option from what I recall and I've double checked, it's not there on Windows 2000 here.

Thanks for your suggestion all the same.

Vicky

[GomJabbar]

I'm glad you found a solution that worked.
[It just wouldn't do, having you lose your hair!]