AR5BMB-44 Atheros a/b/g on ThinkPad x40 2372-GHS (Pic)

[kyrios]

Hi,
I have a little problem with an upgrade on my computer.
My laptop is a IBM ThinkPad x40 2372-GHS and i want to replace WIFI
card Intel 2200 with a WIFI AR5BMB-44 Atheros a/b/g - Windows XP.
Now, its works, but only 1 min. because its crash it. See the
pictures..

[URL=http://img257.imageshack.us/my.php?image=atheroszg7.jpg]
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URL]

[URL=http://img85.imageshack.us/my.php?image=atheros2ox5.jpg]
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What can i do?.. Maybe update my BIOS system?.. Now i have version 1.44 - the lastest is 2.08

Some Advice?

thanks

MOD EDIT: Picture warning added.

[Jason404]

I don't understand the relevance of your pictures to your problem, if I am understanding it.

Are you not getting a 1802 error on POST (when you bootup)?

If the wifi card you have installed is not an official IBM part, you might get that error, but then, if you did you would not have been able to get into Windows and take those screenshots.

When I fitted a Phillips a/b/g wifi card with an Atheros chipset into my X31, I got the 1802 error, and had to use the no-1802 hack to get it working.

[DVormann]

i want to replace WIFI
card Intel 2200 with a WIFI AR5BMB-44 Atheros a/b/g

Intel 2200 is a b/g card. An a/b/g card requires different antennae. Do not forget to replace them as well. You will have to disassemble the LCD frame.

Running a 5.2 GHz transmitter with 2.4 GHz antennae is not good. No idea what will happen if you do. I can imagine everything from hazardous radiation over melting antennae to simply not working.

[Jason404]

Intel 2200 is a b/g card. An a/b/g card requires different antennae. Do not forget to replace them as well. You will have to disassemble the LCD frame.

Running a 5.2 GHz transmitter with 2.4 GHz antennae is not good. No idea what will happen if you do. I can imagine everything from hazardous radiation over melting antennae to simply not working.

I put an a/b/g card in my X31 without any problem with the antennae. I have never used 'a' mode though. I suppose it would not make a difference as long as you don't? I doubt many people would ever use 'a' mode these days anyway.

Wouldn't the standard fitted antennae be okay anyway, as some models came with a/b/g cards as standard? Is it likely that IBM fitted different types of antennae?

[DVormann]

I have never used 'a' mode though. I suppose it would not make a difference as long as you don't? I doubt many people would ever use 'a' mode these days anyway.

What's the point in replacing a b/g card with an a/b/g card other than using a?

If you replace a b card with an a/b/g card and disable a you are fine.

Is it likely that IBM fitted different types of antennae?

No idea.

[Harryc]

What's the point in replacing a b/g card with an a/b/g card other than using a?

The atheros cards have a better history with members here mainly due to improved performance/range over comparable Intel cards of the day. Consequently many folks are motivated to upgrade to Atheros. There is a small percentage of members who run Linux, and Atheros is better supported (in general) in Linux by the madwifi project. In addition, there are a few reasons that Atheros might not be the right choice, but that's for another discussion. There are no 'different' antennas for 'A" cards. I will double check but I am fairly certain of this.

Edit: There is only one antenna cable set for the X40 -
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 53645.html

Despite the fact that there are several combinations of b/g and a/b/g WIFI cards for it -
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 53665.html

Let's get this thread back on track and try to help the OP.

[Harryc]

kyrios, the first screenshot looks like a driver installation problem (if my Spanish is not failing me). Where did you download the driver from? Link?
Also, where exactly did you get the card from, and is it an IBM/Lenovo part?

[kyrios]

kyrios, the first screenshot looks like a driver installation problem (if my Spanish is not failing me). Where did you download the driver from? Link?
Also, where exactly did you get the card from, and is it an IBM/Lenovo part?

No, drivers are ok. Thats the picture saids.
Drivers from here:
http://www.ekahau.com/products/client/drivers/atheros/
From http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/IBM_11a/b ... Adapter_II

yes, its a lenovo/IBM part. Infact on the back side tells T60H814.01 FRU P/N 39T0081 , i suppose its a part of an IBM T60, doesn't?

Now, the pictures are to demostrate that i have no problem with the error "1802 error on POST"... but is more extrange, because, cash my Windows XP, reset it, and then doesn't reconize atheros Wifi.

Its so weird...

Finaly, i want to change my WIFI card because im going to practice wireless security in my University...

Pd: I Found this webpage where shows Thinkpad Mini PCI Wireless compatibility:
http://www.srcf.ucam.org/~mjg59/thinkpad/tables.html

Atheros 802.11a/b/g and IBM 11/a/b/g Wireless Lan Mini PCI adapter are supported.

This is exactly my Wireless Card.
http://cgi.ebay.at/IBM-Ambit-a-b-g-mini ... dZViewItem

Thanks!
Greeting from Chile, LatinAmerica.

[Jason404]

What's the point in replacing a b/g card with an a/b/g card other than using a?

My X31 had no wifi card as standard, but it had the antennaes.

kyrios: Is it possible for you to test the card on another machine, to see if it might be faulty?

Another thing you could try is test another OS installation, to see if it is a software problem. The easiest thing would be to boot into a Linux LiveCD, like Ubuntu or PCLinuxOS 2007, and see if the card works okay with that.

[kyrios]

What's the point in replacing a b/g card with an a/b/g card other than using a?

My X31 had no wifi card as standard, but it had the antennaes..

Chipset Gain.. Atheros, not Intel. there is a huge different between this 2 cards.

kyrios: Is it possible for you to test the card on another machine, to see if it might be faulty? ..

I did it. I test this Atheros Card in a ACER Laptop and works fine..

Another thing you could try is test another OS installation, to see if it is a software problem. The easiest thing would be to boot into a Linux LiveCD, like Ubuntu or PCLinuxOS 2007, and see if the card works okay with that.

I will run Ubuntu v7.10... we will see what happens..


kyrios

[thinkpad1]

I looked up the AR5BMB-44 Atheros a/b/g Mini PCI wireless card and there are a bunch of FRU numbers so I think you have to be careful when trying to buy certain ones. I found on a Czech website of all places, a list of which Atheros ones are compatible with the various operating systems, Windows, Linux etc.

I was wondering how it compares to the Intel ones, especially 2200bg. I have the 2200bg and it seems decent enough. But, I dual boot Windows and Linux and with the Intel ones, I sometimes have to add firmware. I read that the Atheros one is open source and works 'out of the box.' No configuration needed except standard network configuration (with router etc.).

Is there not enough of a significant difference in reception or quality connection with the Atheros compared to the Intel 2200/2915 series or would the Atheros one be worth it as a 2nd or backup wireless card? I have a Broadcom card that came with the Thinkpad when I bought it and I'd like to sell it since it was a pain to configure in Linux. Even when following the steps and instructions for configuring, I still had problems with the Broadcom in even the more user-friendly Linux distros!

I think the best Atheros mini PCI card has the FRU # 93P4262 or 27K9944, and has the AR5004X chipset. Anyone agree? I think it works on any T40 series Thinkpad.