Updated networking drivers: LAN disappeared, weak wireless

[ThinkTay]

87445BU T60 WS

So I was still having some issues with the wireless problem associated with switching power sources, turning on and off the wireless switch, etc. So I decided to update my drivers to the most recent...and problems are everywhere now.

Uninstalled:

power manager
Intel LAN 1000
Atheros 11a/b/g/n

rebooted

Installed new versions from the Lenovo site

rebooted

Now with the most recent wireless driver version, I get terrible reception where I at least to get average.

The LAN component has all but disappeared, after it was there previously. In Device Manager, under Networking, I only have the wireless connection now - the Intel LAN driver WAS there yesterday, but now its gone.

Power manager has been finicky for the first time ever, it had to close due to Windows Explorer once


I am most curious in how to 1) get back the LAN driver (lenovo reccommends updating it by going through device manager and clicking on the hardware, then updating the drive. can't do that if the driver doesnt even show up and 2) getting back some connectivity range with the wireless.

edit: im aware that unpacking the materials is different than installing them, i installed afterwords

[GomJabbar]

You don't mention if you are using Access Connections or not. I would suggest trying the following.

Download the following packages, but stop there. Software and Device Drivers - ThinkPad T60, T60p wide screen
1) ACPI Power Management (not to be confused with Power Manager)
2) Intel LAN 1000
3) Atheros 11a/b/g/n
4) Hotkey driver
5) Access Connections

If you do not have it, download the latest version of Software Installer and install it. Software Installer for Windows 2000/XP, version 4.01.0615

Uninstall
1) ACPI Power Management (not to be confused with Power Manager)
2) Intel LAN 1000
3) Atheros 11a/b/g/n
4) Hotkey driver
5) Access Connections

Reboot and cancel any Found Hardware Wizards.

Extract the packages for all of the above which you downloaded earlier.

Run Software Installer, and uncheck box to "Retrieve latest information on the internet". Let Software Installer install all the packages.

[ThinkTay]

well, that kinda worked.

However, few things are outstanding:

Software Installing did not find the Intel PRO/1000 drive, and didn't install anything. It still doesn't show up in Device Manager

Software Installer didn't find Hotkey either. I had uninstalled and reinstalled it once, but now can't seem to find it. In search, I see the folder in Lenovo > PkgMg > Hotkey or something, however I didn't uninstall it.

Still missing an ethernet adapter. Sigh.

What exactly does Hotkey do?


edit: oooo Hotkey has to do with Fn, gotcha. Well, then it did install updates (or well, it was updated already? a little of both)

[ThinkTay]

should there be a "Hotkey" entry of some type? I have that neither in driver versions nor uninstall in SI, but have Fn Display Manager and Screen Magnifier

[GomJabbar]

It's called the Hotkey utility, but in Software Installer it will only show up as it's components. In my T42 Software Installer shows the following Hotkey features installed: On Screen Display, ThinkPad FullScreen Magnifier, and ThinkPad web navigation keys agent. Your T60 WS may show it a little different. From what you describe, I believe you do have Hotkey features already installed.

This package contains the following sub packages:
- On Screen Display
- Easy Launch Buttons III
- Full Screen Magnifier
- Web navigation keys agent

AFAIK, Easy Launch Buttons III is only for older ThinkPads running Windows 98 and possibly ME. I could be wrong though.

[ThinkTay]

Well, then everything is good except a complete lack of the Ethernet driver. =/

[GomJabbar]

You could try these instructions from the readme text.

Code: Select all

CLEAN INSTALL: (Found New Hardware Wizard)
If this is the first time to boot Windows XP, XP Tablet PC Edition 
2005, the OS detects the Ethernet Controller automatically.
To install the device driver, follow the instructions below.

 1. Extract this package onto your hard drive.
    The default location is C:\DRIVERS\Win\ETHERNET.
 2. Start Windows XP, XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, the Found New 
    Hardware Wizard dialog box is displayed.
 3. Select Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)
 4. Click Next in the Found New Hardware Wizard dialog box.
 5. Select Search for the best driver in these locations. and
    Include this location in the search: only.
 6. Specify the path to the \PRO1000\Win32 sub-directory where you 
    extracted the package in step 1.
    Example: C:\DRIVERS\Win\ETHERNET\PRO1000\Win32
 7. Click Next to start the driver installation.
 8. Click Finish when the installation completes.

CLEAN INSTALL: (Ethernet Controller in Other devices)
Windows XP, XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 detected the Ethernet 
Controller, but was not able to find the correct device driver.  In 
this case, you will see Ethernet Controller in Other devices in Device
Manager.
To install the driver, follow the instructions below.


 1. Start Windows XP, XP Tablet PC Edition 2005.
 2. Extract this package onto your hard drive.
    The default location is C:\DRIVERS\Win\ETHERNET.
 3. Click Start, then click Control Panel.
 4. Click Performance and Maintenance, then double-click the System 
    icon.
 5. Click the Hardware tab.
 6. Click Device Manager.
 7. Right-click Ethernet Controller in Other devices and click 
    Properties.
 8. Click the Driver tab.
 9. Click Update Driver...
10. Select No, not this time and click Next .
11. Select Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)
12. Click Next in the Hardware Upgrade Wizard dialog box.
13. Select Search for the best driver in these locations. and
    Include this location in the search: only.
14. Specify the path to the \PRO1000\Win32 sub-directory where you 
    extracted the package in step 2.
    Example: C:\DRIVERS\Win\ETHERNET\PRO1000\Win32
15. Click Next to start the driver installation.
16. Click Finish when the installation completes.
17. Click Close.


Intel PROSet for Windows Device Manager
---------------------------------------

Intel PROSet for Windows Device Manager is an extension to the Windows
Device Manager.  When you install the Intel PROSet software, 
additional tabs are automatically added to Device Manager.  You can 
install Intel PROSet on computers running Windows 2000, Windows XP,
XP Tablet PC Edition 2005.

Note: You must have administrator rights to install or use Intel 
      PROSet for Windows Device Manager.


Tips for PROSet Users:
If you have used prior versions of Intel PROSet, you should be aware 
of the following changes with Intel PROSet for Windows Device Manager:

- There is no system tray icon.
- The configuration utility is not accessible from the Control Panel 
  or the Start menu.
- All Intel PROSet features are now accessed from Device Manager.  To 
  access features, simply open the Device Manager and double-click the
  Intel adapter you would like to configure.

Installation Instructions:

1. Click Start, select Run, select Browse, then select 
   \APPS\PROSETDX\Win32\DxSetup.exe, Open, and OK.
2. Click Next.
3. Click Accept.
4. Click Next.
5. Click Install.
6. Click Close.

EDIT: For the Clean Install, if the first two choices don't seem to be an option, try going to Start > Control Panel > Add Hardware, and follow the first set of instructions above.

Verify that your ethernet is not disabled in the BIOS somehow.

Try plugging in an ethernet cable to a good connection, and see if that makes the hardware appear. I believe I read a post somewhere where the user's ethernet adapter disappeared when an ethernet cable was not plugged in (this is not something that happens to me). Also try going to Start > All Programs > Intel Network Adapters > Intel(R) PROSet for Wired Connections. Do you see your ethernet adapter listed there?

[ThinkTay]

yes - the other devices did the trick. There is a fix for everything luckily

[GomJabbar]

Glad to hear it. I hope all your problems are solved.