Weird WLAN-Problem with Intel 4965

[Wayne83]

Hi!

Writing this for my sister, she has a TP R61 with Intel 4965 and Vista 32.
First to say: WLAN worked at the beginning, but after a Windows-Update (I assume), WLAN stopped working, producing a "65537"-Error in Access Connections!
The WLAN can be seen, but there is NO connection to it, always the 65537-Error. Other notebooks can connect without problems to the router.

I tried the follwing: Full Recover of Windows Vista - no effect
Disabling WPA / switching to WEP - no effect
Switching from "g Only" to "b,g" and to "g Turbo" Mode in the Router - no effect
Booting a Linux via Live CD - same Error, it detects the WLAN, but cannot connect!

Another thing is, that Bluetooth doesn't work, too. I could only test it with one mobile phone, but _perhaps_ both problems could have the same reason, I think. Are BT and WLAN on one card?
What do you think? Should I just send it to Lenovo and add a paper with a brief error description so they just install another WLAN-card?

Or are there perhaps some other ways to solve it?

In my opinion it could also be a problem with the BIOS, because perhaps there was also a BIOS-Update made with the system update.

Does someone has a clue, could it perhaps related to the TP Module? The Security Chip is enabled.

It really sucks because I recommended her the TP, so now of course I am "responsible" for recommending her "this piece of crap"...

[GomJabbar]

First, I don't know if the R61 has a hardware switch for the Intel 4965 WLAN adapter or not. Check to make sure there is no hardware switch turned off. You can also check the BIOS menu to make sure it is not disabled in the BIOS. Press F1 at boot to enter the BIOS setup menu.

If you recovered Windows Vista with the Lenovo Product Recovery Discs, then the only things I can think of that would cause this problem would be: (1) a hardware failure of the Intel 4965, or a disconnected antenna, (2) the WLAN power management settings are set to too low a power (i.e. max battery life), or (3) a BIOS update.

If you recovered Windows Vista using a different Windows Install DVD, then you may not have all the necessary drivers installed such as: Lenovo System Interface Driver, ACPI Power Management, Hotkey utility, and Intel PRO/Wireless 2200bg, 2915abg, 3945bg, 3945abg, 4965ag, 4965agn Mini PCI adapter software.

Drivers and software - ThinkPad R61

You can run the Network Diagnostics Utility from Internet Explorer > Tools > Diagnose Connection Problems....

If you have Rescue and Recovery still installed, you can run diagnostics from the Rescue and Recovery Predesktop Area. Press F11 at boot to boot in Rescue and Recovery.

You can burn a PD Doctor for DOS bootable CD and run diagnostics from that.
PC Doctor for DOS bootable CD - ThinkPad

[Tõnis]

First, I don't know if the R61 has a hardware switch for the Intel 4965 WLAN adapter or not.

All excellent thoughts from GomJabbar, IMO. I can add that my R61 does have a hardware switch for WLAN/Bluetooth; it's located on the front edge the computer on the left hand side. (It is hard to spot.)

[Wayne83]

Thanks for the answers so far.

1. I know there is a WLAN switch. It is turned on (WLAN LED is on). I it is turned off, WLAN is completely not available. The Bluetooth LED is working, too. (Though of course, BT and WLAN are NOT working correctly!)

2. I recovered Windows via the Recovery-function on the hidden partition and so Windows was "reinstalled" with all drivers and tools as it was on delivery.

3. I looked in BIOS and in Windows and the settings for power savings were on "max. performance". I tried _all_ other modes - with no effect. In BIOS, WLAN wasn't turned off.

As I mentioned before, WLAN is "basically" working: It can find WLANs, but it cannot CONNECT to them! (Indepentendly of which kind of encryption or WLAN-mode).

So, do you agree that here a hardware-error must cause the problem?

[GomJabbar]

A hardware problem does seem likely. Perhaps the antenna is unplugged or the transmitter on the card is not working.

I would still try the following.
1) Turn off any software firewall on the Thinkpad and see if you can establish a connection.
2) Turn off all encryption on the router and on the ThinkPad. See if you can establish a connection.
3) Try connecting using the different bands that your router supports, such as 'A', 'B', and 'G'.
4) Try using a different channel from the default on both the router and ThinkPad. Perhaps channel 10 instead of channel 6 - as an example.
5) Uninstall Access Connections using "Programs and Features" in Control Panel. Reboot, then choose to uninstall the Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Software in "Programs and Features" in Control Panel, except do not uninstall, but choose Repair. See what happens. Try to establish a connection using Vista's Network Center.
6) If you are comfortable in opening up the ThinkPad, you could check the antenna connections on the card. Otherwise, if you are at this point, I would send it in for repair.

[bill bolton]

The WLAN can be seen, but there is NO connection to it, always the 65537-Error. Other notebooks can connect without problems to the router.

65537-Error "The DHCP server on this network failed to respond to the request your system made for automatic IP address configuration"

You need to figure out what is causing that. It doesn't appear, per se, to be a hardware issue on the ThinkPad side of the connection.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[Wayne83]

65537-Error "The DHCP server on this network failed to respond to the request your system made for automatic IP address configuration"

You need to figure out what is causing that. It doesn't appear, per se, to be a hardware issue on the ThinkPad side of the connection.

Cheers,

Bill B.

I also figured that out - there is no MAC table active and though the notebook COULD connect and other devices of course still can connect, I cannot find the problem. Resetting the Router (I got 2 routers, one only for WLAN without DHCP and another for routing, including DHCP).
But as the problem occurs also under Linux with no definite error given, I don't think it is connected with the router.
ATM I don't habe access to the Thinkpad and I also don't have another router to test it with...

But I will try it in the next week with another (different type) router (both under Windows and under Linux), if this won't solve the problem, I'll send it in to Lenovo.