Cannot uninstall wireless drivers

[pedroestrada]

This has been going for over a year now, the problem started when the system update
program changed last year or so, from that time and on I have had lots of problems like not
updating anything with a meaningless message but the worst
is that periodically the wireless lan adapter tells you (mostly coming back from hibernation)
that "this connection has limited or no conectivity" even though still conected to the internet
the next time coming from hibertation the adapter is not connected, cannot disable, repair, delete or
even remove from the device manager, not the wireless but also the lan adapter. The only resource
was to boot in safe mode and the delete the adapters.
I think I have narrowed down the problem to not being able to uninstall the following entry in my
add/remove programs:
ThinkPad Wireless Lan Adapters Software (11a/b, 11b/g, 11a/b/g) Size 2.8MB
I think that these drivers were installed from the folder C:\DRIVERS\WIN\WLLANATH\Setup.exe
I have tried to uninstall numerous times, the progress bar goes so far and inmediately I get a
windows telling me that I have to reboot, no matter what I do, the program is still installed
and the wireless adarper does not work, I have tried to install again multiple times with the same
result at the end.
Also if I use Fn+F5 I get the message:
unable to change power state of 802.11 wireless radio even though the adapter may be connected
Can someone tell me how can I remove this adapter and have a clean install??
Any suggestions?
TIA
Pedro
IBM T40p, 2373 G5U, 1.6GHz, 1.5GB, 5400 160GB, 14.1", CDRW/DVD, IBM a/b/g, BT

[sojourner]

Pedro, to uninstall considering the problems you've posted, it may be necessary to physically remove the WIFI card (it's under the palmrest). After the card is removed THEN uninstall drivers via ADD/REMOVE POGRAMS. Personally, after that I would remove the device(s), if any, from device manager as well. To do this you'd need to know how to make 'hidden' devices available. To do this RUN this command:

set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1

Then open device manager, click view, show hidden devices, expand NETWORK ADAPTERS, click on every Wireless LAN Mini PCI entry, right click, uninstall.

Shutdown, reinstall WIFI card, reboot, reinstall latest drivers.

BTW you said the WIFI and (wired?) LAN give some trouble after Hibernation. I too receive some messages recovering from Hibernation but the network always restores. Perhaps you have disabled a certain service needed to restore connectivity?

Lastly, being the wired LAN is troublesome too, you maybe should check if there is more than one entry for this in device manager! Should only be one unless you have LAN via Cardbus. IF there's more than necessary, repeat above proceedure as outlined above to remove.

I'd also recommend getting LATEST drivers from Lenovo, the ones on your HDD under C:\DRIVERS\WIN\WLLANATH\ might be old.

--- there may be an easier way to do what you need to accomplish so if someone has a better solution, hopefully they will chime in.

Let us know how you make out!

[pedroestrada]

Thanks for your reply.
I have some doubts about your answer:
1.- I understand about removing physically the wireless but do you mean hardware based? you mean I have to open the laptop and disconnect the wireless system from my laptop? I already have changed the keyboard and the fan in 2 occasions so I am familiar with the inner stuff of the laptop but may be you think I was talking about a wireless card connected to the PCMCI like an external one... In my post I was talking to the wireless adapter that my T40p carries as standard equipment that I cannot uninstall from the add/remove programs nor from the device manager network adapters.
2.- The command set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1; where is this to be entered?? I am able to see the "show hidden devices" in the menu and yes, I am able to see the network devices like the ones I have disabled from the BIOS (T40p network and wireless) but when trying to uninstall I get a message telling me that the device cannot be uninstalled because "it may be necessary to boot up the computer"
Thanks in advance
Pedro

[sojourner]

Sorry I couldn't get back sooner pedroestrada, been out of state! Hopefully these answers can still be of assistance.

I understand about removing physically the wireless but do you mean hardware based? you mean I have to open the laptop and disconnect the wireless system from my laptop?

*YES* The reason is, upon boot many drivers are installed before you even see the desktop. If you'll notice your wireless LED, it comes on very early in the boot process. It is likely your wireless drivers are loading immediately even though you 'uninstalled' the software because the WIFI card is REdetected at boot, drivers installed if possible. To circumvent this we remove the card thus it cannot be redectected, essential drivers should not load or be 'uninstallable'.

The command set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1; where is this to be entered??I am able to see the "show hidden devices" in the menu and yes, I am able to see the network devices like the ones I have disabled from the BIOS (T40p network and wireless) but when trying to uninstall I get a message telling me that the device cannot be uninstalled because "it may be necessary to boot up the computer"

First, the show_nonpresent_devices environment variable sets up XP to show 'ghost' or non-present devices. An unaltered system only shows certain other devices when 'show hidden devices' is checked, eg 'Storage Volumes'. Setting this variable allows ALL devices to be shown, even non-present (unconnected) devices.

I tried running the command given above in Windows START, RUN dialog box but received an error. Assumed it would work this way but it has been YEARS since setting my system, must have forgot. My lappie is setup to permanently allow these devices to be shown by the following:

START, SETTINGS, CONTROL PANEL, SYSTEM, ADVANCED, ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES, under System variables click NEW, under 'Variable name' copy and paste this:

devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices

under 'Variable value' enter the number 1 (as a numeral), click OK all the way out. Done!

Alternatively you could open a CMD prompt (START, RUN, CMD)
type: set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1 (press ENTER)
type: devmgmt.msc (press ENTER)
This alternate routine lasts only in this window, for this session.

Now go into Device Manager, click Show Hidden Devices, expand the branch you are interested in and notice there will be 'faded' or 'ghostly' like icons for certain devices. The variable you've just set allowed those to be viewed! Now try the 'right click', uninstall procedure on any devices which shouldn't be there.

All the best!