R31 wireless issue

[Indy452]

Hello, I'm new to the forum....I didn't know there was a forum dedicated just to us IBM and specifically thinkpad junkies, very cool.

Anyway, I picked up an older R31 with internal wireless card but with the lightweight OS I installed it sees my router and signal (as well as the neighbors) but refuses to connect to it.
My question is, can the card be bad or is it such a dated wireless card that perhaps it cannot connect to my type of encryption? (WPA2 personal) The reason I ask is because when I add my key in the wireless preferences wpa2 is not an option...seems strange to me. I have my router settings to accept mixed types of signals b,g etc...

If the card is bad does anyone have a recommendation for a replacement card?

Thank you.

BTW, currently using a G40..love it.

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the forum.
That R31 probably has the old wifi/modem combo card, which only supports 802.11b and WEP.
Replace it with a more modern card like an Intel 2200BG. You might lose the modem, but who cares?
On the bottom of the machine is a label with something like: TYPE 2366-47U S/N 99-12345
We want to see (only) the red numbers.

[Indy452]

On the bottom of the machine is a label with something like: TYPE 2366-47U S/N 99-12345
We want to see (only) the red numbers.

I don't have any red numbers but its a type 2656-88U I also see the bar coded sticker for I assume the wifi card it says 802.11b and the mac addy.

So this card only supports b wireless and no wpa2 huh? That would explain it...

If I use an Intel 2200BG will I need to do any mods to the bios? Thats something I don't want to mess with..


Thanks.

[RealBlackStuff]

Product: ThinkPad R31 2656-88U [change]
Operating system: All [change]

Original description: PIII-M 1.066GHz (512KB), 128MB RAM, 30.0GB HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 8x4x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, 802.11b wireless(MPCI), Modem(MPCI), Ethernet, TV out, Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro

If it's an IBM card with a FRU number on it, it should work 'out of the box'.
Worst case, you need to apply the NO-1802 hack, which is easy enough using either a floppy disk or a CD.
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Problem_w ... twork_card

[Indy452]

Very cool thank you..

Any other cards out there for an "out of the box" experience? I assume the intel 2200bg is not an out of the box card?

Appreciate the help.

[ajkula66]

Intel 2200BG should be an "out of the box" card in that machine, with proper drivers installed.

[SuperStuff]

Do they sell the antenna wires for these if I secure an Intel 2200BG? My R31 didn't have an internal wireless card so I put a USB based Belkin card into the machine, but would love to switch over to internal card.

[RealBlackStuff]

If you can find an R3x lid with built-in antennae...
Or maybe your machine has antennae built-in already.
What's the 7-character type/model, looks like: TYPE 2345-67U on the bottom of the laptop.

[ajkula66]

Your machine should already have the lid with antennae installed, unless someone had swapped it in the past.

You should also have a mini-PCI slot (with or without a card) under the small square plate on the bottom of the unit.

Take a look and let us know.

[SuperStuff]

Type 2656-25U was on the bottom and the bottom pci slot didn't have wires.

[ajkula66]

So where has the previous number (ending in 88U) come from? That one would have wireless, where 25U wouldn't...

[RealBlackStuff]

George:
OP Indie452 has the 88U.
This is a new user SuperStuff who chimed in with a 25U.

You'll need to find a lid with wifi antennae or continue with a USB dongle or PCMCIA card.
For parts, see: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-39797
Considering the age and expense involved, not worth it IMHO.

[ajkula66]

And I shouldn't post when I'm tired, I've said this a zillion times...

Apologies to all.