What miniPCI 802.11n to buy?

[lukee]

Dear, I'm thinking about swapping Wireless LAN adapter with a new one in my T43p. Currently I have Intel 2915ABG, it's very good however sometimes disconnects randomly from a networks. If I will buy a new adapter I will decide 802.11n also and I want to ask you what miniPCI n-card do you recommend? I have found few cards from MicroTik brand equipped with Atheros chipset, is this best alternative? My second questions is about my system:
- do I need Zender's modified BIOS then?
- will work Fn+F4 wireless toggle then? Will work LED indicator then?

Thanks.

[lukee]

Any ideas? I have read many reviews about Atheros-chipset based cards with very good references. Do you recommend that cards? Will I get 1802-error then? As I am using WiFi daily I need to solve my problems asap.

[poshgeordie]

You will need to read the whole modified BIOS topic you mention. Otherwise maybe you're going to have to try a couple of cards and see which works and then report back.

Sorry to not be more help.

[lukee]

Hi, I already read this topic (well not whole) and I prefer to obtain modified BIOS than editing BIOS code on my own. Unfortunately I don't know where I can download Zender's BIOS for T43/p.

[RealBlackStuff]

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=75612

[ElbertR]

TPLINK mini-pci Wireless n card is a good choice. Requires only a 2 wire antenna.

[lukee]

TPLINK mini-pci Wireless n card is a good choice. Requires only a 2 wire antenna.

And does the WiFi LED under LCD and Fn+F5 wireless toggle works?

[ElbertR]

And does the WiFi LED under LCD and Fn+F5 wireless toggle works?

Don't know since I use an A31P which does not have a wireless LED or keyboard on/of shortcut.

I would not count on it.

On the A31P I just use the small wireless network icon in the system tray to monitor wireless activity and simply disable the adapter in Windows 'network connections' (XP) if I don't need it.

[GomJabbar]

And does the WiFi LED under LCD and Fn+F5 wireless toggle works?

AFAIK, those features only work with the IBM/Lenovo wireless drivers. You would need a card supported by those drivers.

[lukee]

I have bought Atheros 5BMB-44 a/b/g miniPCI on auction, pulled out from T42p. Will it work out of the box in T43p, without 1802-error? Do you think this is a better wireless adapter than Intel 2915ABG?

[ajkula66]

Probably not. T43/p requires Atheros II series cards, most of the ones used in T42/p were series I, although there are exceptions.

To answer the other part of your question, out of all the wireless cards used on T43/p, 2915ABG is by far my least favourite one. YMMV.

[lukee]

OK, it's time to post my troubles with 2915ABG. When I ran on Windows XP, everything have been worked correctly - Fn+F5 Wireless toggle, Access Connections, no accidental disconnects. Simply perfect. After moving to Windows 7 I started to have troubles with Wireless - because Lenovo isn't providing drivers there are only two choices:

- driver from Windows Update
- driver from Intel's support web

Both these drivers have different release date.

Properties of the first one driver:
1. permanent malfunction with Access Connections
2. permanent malfunction with Fn + F5 wireless toggle
3. disconnects randomly (less than with driver from Intel's support web)

Properties of the second one driver:
1. permanent malfunction with Access Connections
2. Fn+F5 wireless toggle works without problems
3. disconnects more often than driver from Windows Update

With Windows XP - no problems at all! I'm seriously thinking about backward step (downgrade to Windows XP). Before that I will try to test mentioned Atheros card if I will succeed.

[RealBlackStuff]

Have you tried uninstalling AC and letting Windows manage connections?

[lukee]

Yes, I'm working in this 'mode' now. However I'm really need profile switching - when I put my ThinkPad to a dock, AC automatically switches-off the Wireless and loads another profile settings. I'm moving between 4 locations (home wifi, home wired, university wifi, work wired).

[GomJabbar]

OK, it's time to post my troubles with 2915ABG. When I ran on Windows XP, everything have been worked correctly - Fn+F5 Wireless toggle, Access Connections, no accidental disconnects. Simply perfect. After moving to Windows 7 I started to have troubles with Wireless - because Lenovo isn't providing drivers there are only two choices:

- driver from Windows Update
- driver from Intel's support web

Both these drivers have different release date.

Properties of the first one driver:
1. permanent malfunction with Access Connections
2. permanent malfunction with Fn + F5 wireless toggle
3. disconnects randomly (less than with driver from Intel's support web)

Properties of the second one driver:
1. permanent malfunction with Access Connections
2. Fn+F5 wireless toggle works without problems
3. disconnects more often than driver from Windows Update

With Windows XP - no problems at all! I'm seriously thinking about backward step (downgrade to Windows XP). Before that I will try to test mentioned Atheros card if I will succeed.

EDIT: IIRC, I use the Windows Update driver for my 2200BG on my T42. No problems with disconnects. Fn + F5 works with both the Bluetooth radio and the Intel WiFi radio. Green LED works with WiFi.

Note: You can choose wireless features in Win 7 by opening Network and Sharing Center > Manage Wireless Networks > Adapter properties > Configure > Advanced. Also there is a setting in Power Options (Control Panel) for the Wireless Adapter Settings > Power Saving Mode.

Didn't try Access Connections in Win 7. Had problems with it in Vista, but still use it in XP. At any rate, I can left-click on the WiFi status icon in the notification area in Win 7 and choose from the available WiFi networks in my area.

EDIT: Looking at the Microsoft Update Catalog, there are several versions of Intel drivers available:
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/

[lukee]

After half of day investigation I have managed to AC a WiFi work and no disconnections after ~30 minutes This is configuration I'm using:

- Access Connections 5.72 (for Windows 7)
- WLAN driver for Windows Vista (version 2007-08-10) from Intel site

Everything seems to be working correctly now. However I will test the Atheros card also when will be delivered.

[Radioguy]

As for the Atheros card, the newest Atheros OEM driver packages will often have their own GUI Utility. It may be preferable depending on your taste.

[lukee]

Finally, got the new adapter. According to FRU label on it, it is this card:
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/IBM_11a/b ... Adapter_II

So, do you suggest to install it into my T43p and cut-out original Intel 2915ABG?

[ajkula66]

I would, but it's your call...

Both of my T43p units have that card and I love it...