atheros ar5005gs and no wireless LED?

[amdaman]

Hi i've just upgraded to wireless card to the above which is superior to the Intel 2100 in everyway but now my LED light won't work.

FN+F5 also doesn't let me control the wireless anymore, just the bluetooth.

I've reinstalled all the hotkey drivers and access control and all the other things including the ibm specific drivers for this card but still no joy.

Anyone have any ideas? It's only a small thing but very annoying - I have a T40 with the latest bios.

[Harryc]

Is this an IBM part? If not, the light won't work.

[amdaman]

it said so on the auction - also it didn't say 'invalid pci card' at start up like another card did, so i assume it's IBM?

PS - thanks for the quick reply.

[Harryc]

There are plenty of non-IBM wifi cards that won't give an error on startup. Do you have a link to the auction?

[yak]

I have successfully fixed the WiFi LED in my non-IBM Intel 2915ABG card. I've added the details to ThinkWiki. However, this might not apply in case of your Atheros card.

Here's my thread about the issue:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=58251

[amdaman]

There are plenty of non-IBM wifi cards that won't give an error on startup. Do you have a link to the auction?

Ahh didn't know that.

This is the auction:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=004

Yak: Interesting read but not sure if it will apply to mine as it's not an Intel one?

[cmarti]

That's your problem that is not an original IBM card.

[Harryc]

Right, I don't see any mention in the auction that it is an IBM part, and the part and FRU number are not on the card, which they would be if it was. "For T40 R51" could mean anything, or nothing.

[amdaman]

ahh right, my fault I guess

Are there any cards similar to this one for the T4xs? As it's a great card, gives me a good wireless signal in the house (and our house has thick walls)

[cmarti]

you can keep using it, just ignore the light indicator anyway you just need a good wifi reception right?

[yak]

@amdaman

I'm not sure. All my findings and the fix is based on my Intel 2915ABG card. But the reason seems to be general (the "kill radio" signal on one of the LED pins).

That's why my ThinkWiki article suggest measuring the voltages before doing any changes. Checking the voltage between pin 11 and ground is most important. It tells you when the LED will light up after the fix. If it's 3.3V, the LED will be on, if it's 0V, the LED will be off. Take off the palmrest, turn on the WiFi and measure the voltage. Then turn the WiFi off and measure again.

Make sure you have a steady hand while working on a powered on laptop.

@cmarti

Yes but if you can fix it then why not doing it?

[cmarti]

yak,

Don't get me wrong, i also have a non IBM authorized card in my T43p (see sig) if it that mod works on others card other than intel i will try it too.

[frankiepankie]

yak,

Don't get me wrong, i also have a non IBM authorized card in my T43p (see sig) if it that mod works on others card other than intel i will try it too.

I tried it with an unbranded wifi card, with AR5212 chipset and my T40, but it didn't work. WiFi led stays on forever, even if i have disabled my wifi

[ygrig]

I tried it with X40 and AR5005G chipset. The problem is, pin 11 always has 3.3V, even if the card is switched off, thus, doing the mod renders the LED always on.

[Radioguy]

With this Atheros chipset specifically, is this an issue across brands, or just TPs? While I still intend to buy, I now wonder if this card also wouldn't work with the wi-fi switch and led on a Vaio or other laptop.