New Atheros card will NOT work in my T43. :(

[Xenomorph]

T43, 2660-71U

I found an Atheros card on eBay. It was listed as a real IBM/Lenovo WiFi card.

Here is the auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0358409291

Atheros P/N: AR5BMB-44, IBM FRU: 39T0081

I plug it in, boot up, drivers are installed. WiFi networks are listed. So far, everything seems OK.

I then connect to a network and load up my web browser. I can load Google, etc. After a few seconds, all network traffic stops, the WiFi light under the screen turns off, the mouse cursor movement gets all choppy, and then the system freezes.

I reboot, and get two beeps and an error on boot:

ERROR
Resource Conflict - PCI Network Controller in slot 01
Bus:0B, Device:02, Function:00

Press <F1> to Setup

I can hit Esc to continue loading Linux or Windows, but the card no longer functions then.

So... What do I do?

I've tried removing and re-seating the WiFi card (3 times!).
I've disconnected the CMOS battery with the main battery and power cord pulled.

Is this a sign of a bad card? I wanted an Atheros card because I read they were better than Intel cards for both operation and alternative OS support.

[ajkula66]

You've got the wrong Atheros card, that's version 1 usable in R40, R5x apart from R52 and all T4x apart from T43/p.

For a list of cards to use in a T43/p, look under number 14 on this page:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 58420.html

Hope this helps.

[Xenomorph]

You've got the wrong Atheros card, that's version 1 usable in R40, R5x apart from R52 and all T4x apart from T43/p.

For a list of cards to use in a T43/p, look under number 14 on this page:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 58420.html

Hope this helps.

You say I have the wrong Atheros card - so which is the right one? The word "Atheros" doesn't appear on that link you provided.

Does the T43 simply not work with Atheros cards? I didn't get the error on boot saying it wasn't compatible. Why would it be on the approved list but not work?

[ajkula66]

IBM (and now Lenovo) refers to Atheros-based cards as "IBM cards"...or ThinkPad a/b/g and b/g cards...half a dozen applicable FRUs on that page.

[underclocker]

I'm thinking that that model should work in a T43. It is the newer Ahteros a/b/g II model. Incompatible cards often produce a boot error, not a Windows error.

Are you sure your BIOS and Embedded Controller are up to date? You could also try F9, then F10 in the BIOS to reset all the default settings. Are you sure you are using the correct Lenovo driver software?

I'd try to load the registry setting to reveal hidden devices, then I'd uninstall the old adapter(s), then I'd try the new one.

[Xenomorph]

I'm thinking that that model should work in a T43. It is the newer Ahteros a/b/g II model. Incompatible cards often produce a boot error, not a Windows error.

Are you sure your BIOS and Embedded Controller are up to date? You could also try F9, then F10 in the BIOS to reset all the default settings. Are you sure you are using the correct Lenovo driver software?

I'd try to load the registry setting to reveal hidden devices, then I'd uninstall the old adapter(s), then I'd try the new one.

Everything hardware-wise is up to date.

It gives a boot error about Resource Conflicts, and the card fails to work in Linux. I don't really have a way to mess with the registry to reveal hidden devices in Linux.

[underclocker]

OK, so if you tried the F9 BIOS reset, then F10 to save and reboot, and still have the problem, I'd guess it's a bad adapter - it's not OS related if the error is before the OS loads.

[Xenomorph]

IBM (and now Lenovo) refers to Atheros-based cards as "IBM cards"...or ThinkPad a/b/g and b/g cards...half a dozen applicable FRUs on that page.

Well, I have a 2668-71U, and on that link it only lists Intel cards for "71x".

I've seen other eBay auctions that mention the T43, so I guess I can't use anything but Intel cards with *my* T43?

[sjthinkpader]

Lenovo note the equipment in the Type/Model numbers but you can use the IBM/Atheros card without any problems as long as the card is in the white list.

[underclocker]

That is correct, if the BIOS doesn't prevent booting, then the adapter should work.

Bad adapters are not all that common, but I have come across one or two. One had a physical issue. I had an Intel 2200G adapter that was acting funny, I peeled back the label and saw that one of the tiny resistors had broken free from the adapter. I would guess that a static electricicy overdose could cause similar, intermittent issues. I'd try another adapter (after trying all the items listed above, including the good idea of battery removals as suggested by sjthinkpader).