T43p INTEL 2915ABG wireless connectivity gone.

[patfla]

Sunday my T43p wireless connection stopped working. Red X over the network icon in the System Tray. Tried Repair (network connection) but the Repair just hung and I had to reboot.

Checked the router with a different wireless device. That device connected and was on the net without problem so I figure the problem must be with the T43.

Rebooted the thinkpad several times - to no avail. In Computer Management | Devices the driver says it's running fine and without problems. ipconfig in a cmd window however only identifies the program (ipconfig) and gives me no info whatever. Strange - did the TCP/IP stack, for some reason, not load? The event log (eventvwr.exe) tells me nothing (that I can make out). I mean there are errors when various apps try to connect to the network (e.g. Google Updater) but no indication (that I can find) why the network is not there.

The following seem suspicious to me: from Manage Computer | Devices, I can't uninstall the driver. That too (like Repair) just hangs forcing me eventually to reboot the machine. Also, I have two system Restore Points: from Nov 21 and 13. Tried both. They appear to apply themselves; then the machine reboots; but when it's back up and running, you get a message saying simply that the System Restore failed but no indication as to a reason.

Suspicious in the sense that maybe a virus or rootkit or whatever is screwing with me. But I've had Kaspersky Internet Security on the machine for several years. And just updated to the latest release of KIS 2010; made sure the database was up-to-date; and did a full system scan. Removed two problems (that were maybe only caught by the newest version of the anti-virus software?) of middling severity and removed them. With no after-effects at the time.

The machine is 4 years old - maybe stuff (like the wireless adapter) is just wearing out? The power connector wore out, but I was very happy with a (reasonably priced) repair that was done by http://www.absoluteraleigh.com/ in NC. However the connector has, in some sense, a mechanical component (more likely to wear out) than the 'purely electronic' wireless adapter.

Any ideas welcome. How would I diagnose this further? And how (or where) is one able to tell if the TCP/IP stack didn't load?

thanx.

[katar83]

Check your card with a different system, get yourself a Linux Live CD and try it. Check your card in a different laptop but its highly unlikely that there is something wrong with it. You may also try a different wifi card as they cost $10 now.
If it wont work under linux, lift the keyboard and push the sougthbridge and fire up laptop, wifi should work and You may now look for a new board or a BGA service.

[patfla]

Wow!

It was my anti-virus software yet again (Kaspersky Internet Security). In the sense, that I uninstalled it and rebooted and my wireless connectivity was back.

Here's what I've had to go through (it's been - to my mind - epic), supposedly getting the latest update onto my thinkpad in the first place.

And then a couple of days later, it cuts off my wireless connectivity. Amazing (ly bad experience).

http://forum.kaspersky.com/index.php?showtopic=144449

[RealBlackStuff]

I would KISs that Kaspersky software GoodBye and get Eset Nod instead.

[patfla]

Thanx. I was sort of thinking (by now) of jumping ship except that the alternatives were equally dismal (e.g. Norton). But had never heard of ESET. Looks interesting - I'll check them out.