Q: Intel Pro 2915ABG wifi card a known problem?

[davidspalding]

I've been getting pretty angry at either the software that controls this WiFi card, or the hardware itself. As background, I have a T43 with (I believe) the Atheros/IBM 11a/b/g card which has worked reliably and predictably for 3+ years with Access Connections 3.82, 4.12, 4.52.

The card in this X32 has been a different story. For one, the "driver" install also installed the Intel PROSet Wireless software which went as far as giving the system BSODs by conflicting with AC. I tried uninstalling the PROSet Wireless control utility and leave the driver(s), but apparently this removed necessary software for AC to control the card. So I reinstalled and delved into the Intel software to make it NOT connect except manually. AC (4.52) worked for several days, then started failing 100%, complaining that my software wouldn't support the encryption (WPA2-PSK AES) on my router (BS). Deleting and recreating the profiles didn't work.

Finally uninstalled AC, and tried just letting the Intel software work. Worked fine all afternoon yesterday, then last night refused to connect. I made all kinds of experimental changes to the driver properties, tuning it down to max power, only 802.11g, etc., no joy. This morning, with the driver props set back to defaults, working fine. Only disconnected once in the last 3 hours. (Note: was on battery last night, on AC in Port Replicator II this morning. Same distance to router/AP, about 10' - 15'.)

Generally, I find the 2915 will be connected for hours, then inexplicably lose the connection. Sometimes it regains the connection, but just as often it refuses to connect, citing bad password (BS). I opened it up again (I did so upon purchase to blow out dust), disconnected the antenna leads and reseated the card, all seems to be secure (antenna leads don't seem abused in any way).

I'm planning to wipe the system to the factory image as soon as recovery discs arrive ... though I'm toying with the idea of playing wth Windows 7 for a few weeks. I'm wondering if the 2915 card itself is a known weak link (I seem to recall it being discussed regularly in the T4x forums in 2006, 2007) and I should just shop for another Atheros 11ABG card like my '43 has. Prices appear to be in the $15-30 range on eBay lately.... Anecdotes and suggestions welcome.


Intel PROSet Wirelss v. 12.1.1.0
Intel PRO 2915ABG FRU 27K9936 driver 9.0.4.39
S/N Z1Z9UL58A4HK

[sjthinkpader]

Are you using a channel not used by your neighbors? Are there any 2.4Ghz basestations, i.e. house phones, placed between the WiFi AP and your computer? Best placement for AP and phone BST is at edge of the house where they each have a direct view of the client devices with no other device in between.

Recently I've changed to 5.8Ghz and DECT (2.1Ghz) phones in the house as the 40Mhz wide band 11n is playing havoc with the 2.4Ghz phones.

WPS2 came recently, so the driver must be relatively new. My WiFi AP is set to use WPS and WPS2 concurrently. XP SP3 Zero utility doesn't work directly with WPS2. I had to set WPS, get it working, then change to WPS2 on the client.

I have several 2915 in R52s and so far no complaints from users but I have no idea whether they are using WPS2.

[underclocker]

To install the proper drivers without the Intel utility, just select driver update from the device manager and do a manual driver install by navigating to the driver directory. That is my preferred method, you really do not need three pieces of software to manage your wifi adapter; Windows, Intel & IBM/Lenovo. I usually just use Windows.

Regarding 2915ABG adapters, I've seen dozens over the years and I'd say that some are problematic. I've also seen this with some Intel 2200BG adapters, too. I've seen similar issues and swapping the adapter has fixed the issue. I've never deterimined if it was a particular version of the adapter, they were made in more than one country for several years, or if there was slight physical damage to the adapter, they do have many small components on them, but I have had similar experiences.

As mentioned above, it could just be interference or incompatibility with the router type or router firmware version.

I do like the low heat/low power aspect of the Intel adapters, but occasionally, albeit infrequently, these types of issues do appear. You could either try another 2915ABG to satisfy your couriosity about the adapter itself, or pick up an Atheros ABG II. Those are great adapters. I've used many Atheros ABG, ABGII and BG models, and I don't recall ever having any type of issues. That is one significant Atheros benefit.

[davidspalding]

Thanks, guys. I think it's the Atheros II that's in my T43. "Solid as a rock," as the song goes.

No wireless cell phones in my home ... only a Nokia 6682 (3G cell). Not that I don't have a neighbor with one (I'm in a townhome, people on both sides).

Router's on channel 3, 3 or more channels away from any other AP. And there are a TON of APs in range of my home ... I checked that out when i moved in last year, and double-checked this weekend.

When I do the recovery, I'll see if the Intel driver-only is there. If so, I'll start fresh with AC 3.82 and factory-shipped driver. If I have to update the driver, I'll have to upgrade to AC 4.x to match. NBD.

[sjthinkpader]

You probably gone thru this already.

XP SP2, no native WPS2, need a patch
XP SP3, has native WPS2

I couldn't directly enter the PSK in Zero Config util. Had to enter it as WPS-PSK first, then change to WPS2. I am using AES encryption too.

Try if WEP works too. I have two working APs so trying a new configuration is pretty easy for me.

[davidspalding]

Oh, didn't mention, the X32 had been already upgraded to XP SP3 (and ZoneAlarm installed) before connecting to any networks. I recall the Windows WIFI management control being a little quirky, but reliable in SP3. (edit) The Microsoft WPS IE fix (KB917021) was included in SP3, BTW. So WPA2 was not an obstacle.

Digging into the nuts and bolts of WPA, I realized that there are some kinds of "reconnect" events that usually occur in the background, and the user never notices. It could be that the driver or software in use the other night was not handling this well. It's the latest driver, IAW IBM's support pages for that MiniPCI card.

Will have to read more ... been a while, over 2 years, since I read the WPA specifics.

[gongo2k1]

Regarding 2915ABG adapters, I've seen dozens over the years and I'd say that some are problematic. I've also seen this with some Intel 2200BG adapters, too.

I've had three 2915abg's and never had any problems with any of them. I've had two 2200bg's and had problems with both of them. Maybe it's just a crap shoot?

[davidspalding]

Happened again last night while docked (and plugged in). Lost connection, didn't reconnect. I think the Intel PROSet software is a weak link, so after I wipe back to the factory image, I'll definitely give it a go with AC 3.82 (which was a current version when this laptop was originally in service). Among the things I like about AC is its ability to reconnect, and keep you informed as to connection.

I think I encountered this Intel utility on a friend's Gateway computer, and was similarly unimpressed.

[davidspalding]

Tested for 6+ hours at work, the 2915ABG card connected with our Cisco APs (using WEP security) just fine, no burps. I confirmed I have the latest drivers from Intel.

Went home and tried WPA2-PSK again, lost connection. Tried WPA2 TKIP+AES, no joy. Tried WPA-PSK AES, no joy. Next to try is WEP, but at this point, I'm pretty much considering getting a 27K9944 from dragon_on_the_edge (mentioned in another thread), who said he had some, if the factory restore image doesn't resolve this.

According to Thinkwiki, the 27K9944 is compatible with the X32, anyone here have different experiences?

[SaberX]

I have an X31 that came with the Intel B card.Had that working fine with both AC 5.20 and with just the Windows software.
I have a D-link 625 "B/G/N" router set up with WPA2-PSK AES.
Works fine.
I now have intel 2200Pro B/G setup with the newest drivers and software from Intel.
Also tryed it with Thinkpad AC 5.20 and also works fine.

I have had many thinkpads over the years and never had any problems with any intel card's.
I have also used intel 2915 ABG cards with no problem's.

[davidspalding]

I'm beginning to wonder if it's just "not playing well" with a Linksys WRT54G v1.1 at home.

Addendum:

After switching to WEP 128-bit hex, the 2915ABG stayed connected to the WRT54G overnight. So the card works fine with WEP. Swell.

[dwilsonfl]

Having the same deal with my X41T. I'm a foot away from my router (2wire 2700HG-B) most of the time but it won't connect. Though it will find and connect to one down the street.

Tried downgrading the driver off the Lenovo site to an older version but no joy.

Will try wiping the Intel drivers and letting Windows (SP3) handle it

[sjthinkpader]

Looks like the intel software handles the "association" function. There must be parameters set only by the intel software. Here are what I use:

1. Latest intel 2915abg or 2200bg software and driver version 12.04.0000 (Package).
2. AC version 5.12. Later versions need .NET Framework ver 3.5. I am still using mostly ver 3.0.

I also use many versions of Atheros cards with AC ver 5.12 without any problems.