more wifi questions

[ZAGNUT]

just got my first thinkpad about a month ago and am loving it so far. it's a very clean T30 2367 with the 2GHz processor, 5400 RPM HDD, 256MBx2 RAM (both work) and the fastest combo drive that i believe was ever available on the T30. put win2k on it and couldn't be happier except for the PCMCIA wifi card hanging off the side....

searched here and on other sites for info on the best way to go for an internal wifi card but but still not sure about a few things.

some say to get an intel 2200 card that's NOT made for use in IBMs. so does that mean that this card will work: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0203935334

the same seller also offers an intel 2200 that's supposed to work in the IBM but for a much higher price: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0202543263

i've also read that the intel 2915 works in the T30 and the same seller offers both a generic version and a thinkpad version but does not list the T30 as compatible.

can someone please help me figure out which model i'm really supposed to be getting. and if both the 2200 and 2915 can work which is the better one? and if anyone knows of a better place to get the correct card that info would be welcome as well.



thanks,
dave

Moderator edit: Shortened URL to prevent horizontal scrolling

[m509272]

The first one will work. I've used them on 4 T30s. Search for 2200 or 2200BG in this forum for instructions.

[ZAGNUT]

thanks and i did read up on some of your older threads. the way that these cards are being listed on ebay is most likely what's confusing me.

so at least with the intel 2200 the generic card is the way to go but what about the 2915?

and what is the difference between the 2200 and 2915? is it just that the 2915 is A/B/G while the 2200 is only B/G?

and searching some more here i see a lot of people say the atheros cards are better when it comes to range and quality of connection. poking around on ebay see a couple of different flavors of atheros like the AR5005GS which does B/G and again comes in both generic versions and "IBM compatible" versions. the other looks to be a bit older and is the AR5213A A/B/G. which is the one people are raving about?

and might i be correct in assuming that the above mentioned "IBM compatible" cards are no different than the generics since in their listings they all mention the need for the no-1802 mod? just a way for the sellers to make a couple more bucks?


thanks,
dave

[m509272]

The true IBM version of the 2200BG does not require the no1802 fix. You pay like double for that "convenience".

"A" wifi compatibility is pretty much useless. B&G being most prevalent. "A" was more or less dead out of the gate.

As for the other cards I can't speak for them. I've had a 2200BG in my X31 for 3-4 years and am perfectly happy with it. I just my not know any better.

There's someone selling Atheros cards usually in the marketplace forum so there's probably good info in there.

[ZAGNUT]

ok, i gave up on the atheros as it seems like there are at least 1000 chinese manufacturers cranking out cards with the atheros chipsets and no real way to know what will work with what. using the no1802 mod is fine by me but i wouldn't want to get stuck with a card that needs the sprom re-written.

so being chicken i went with the generic version of the 2200BG found here: http://www.darntoothysam.com/servlet/th ... top/Detail

[wassallj]

Let us know how it works

[ZAGNUT]

will be about 10 days till i get it but i for sure will post a follow up. either that or start a new thread with pleas for help....


dave

[ZAGNUT]

OK, i got the card, popped it in, got the 1802 error, took care of that with one of the bootable fixes floating around, installed the intel driver for win2k and then things got ugly....

when powering up the machine hangs on the "thinkpad" screen for a couple of minutes and then gives me the following:

ERROR

resource conflict-PCI network controller in slot 01

buss: 02, device: 02, function: 00

press <F1> to setup

pressing escape will let the machine boot but the wireless icon in the system tray has the red X over it and a bubble pops up insisting that the driver is not installed.

have tried a driver update in device manager, reinstalling the driver from scratch several times and even got rid of the driver and software for the PCMCIA wireless card i used until now.

noticed that in BIOS a MAC address is listed that matches the number on my machine's bottom label and not the address on the card. changed settings so it wouldn't boot with this address and didn't help.

BIOS is the latest version and win2k is a new install that has never been used with a mini-PCI wireless card, CDC modem was yanked as soon as i got the machine.

another user here had great success with this card from the same vendor.

searched these forums for "resource conflict" and it seems to affect a lot of machines and no one seems to have an answer.

anyone have any suggestions?



dave

[ZAGNUT]

well i broke down and did a fresh install of win2k and all the various IBM drivers and everything is working great. was needing to do this anyways as i was having minor display issue that was unresolvable.

the signal is now quite a bit stronger than what i had with the PCMCIA card and i no longer have card hanging off the side of the case with those annoying blinking LEDs.




dave