Intel 5100 AGN probs in T400; recommended card change?

[hydrostarr]

Have experience issues--namely connection drops--with my Intel 5100 AGN (on WinXP Pro SP3, driver version 13.4.0.9, driver dated 2010-10-18) wifi card in my T400. Symptoms persist across a variety of wireless-ethernet access points (Linksys E2000, and a couple of diff D-Link's).

Seeing lots of complaints about this 5100 card in various posts/discussion threads around the web. Thinking it may be easiest just to avoid any problems with this card and replace it with a card with a more-solid reputation...if one exists? (And the Intel 5100 "problems" aren't just a bit of heresy?)

Do folks here have recommendations to replace or not replace? If replacing: recommendations for substitute cards?

[mpcook]

I have this card in my T400s and have had no problems at all. I have heard rumors of problems, but have not seen it. This is at home with my Netgear dual band router, and traveling and connecting in many situations. I can't explain my success.

Mike

[Colonel O'Neill]

T400 with a 5300 and the same driver. Not having any issues with it. The router I use goes wonky occasionally, but that affects everyone equally.

[hydrostarr]

Thanks all for the feedback above.

Experienced temporary outage with T400's wireless today. (Other wireless clients worked, but mine didn't.) Think it's time to order a replacement card for me Intel 5100 AGN. Any suggestions for specific models?

[Peak2Peak]

If you are planning to replace your Intel 5100 with a card that is not whitelisted for your T400, then you will need to modify your BIOS - Currently I have installed an HP Broadcom 4322MC / BCM94322 - 802.11a/b/g/n, which works great with a variety of routers and seems to pull in distant AP's and hold stable connections be it near/far.

I also have a T60 with an Intel 5100 installed running on XP-SP3 with Intel Utility/Driver package 13.2.1.0 - it's working ok - seem's to be quite stable as it has not dropped a connection yet! - but does not seem to capture as many AP's the Broadcom though.

[hydrostarr]

If you are planning to replace your Intel 5100 with a card that is not whitelisted for your T400, then you will need to modify your BIOS - Currently I have installed an HP Broadcom 4322MC / BCM94322 - 802.11a/b/g/n, which works great with a variety of routers and seems to pull in distant AP's and hold stable connections be it near/far.

Excellent, very helpful, thanks. How does one determine if a card is whitelisted? And exactly what BIOS settings/values need to change?

(Edit: found the T400 self-service movies, including wireless-LAN card:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-71461 )

[Peak2Peak]

How does one determine if a card is whitelisted?

Generally check out the T400 Hardware Maintenance Manual - Parts list section - No.7.

And exactly what BIOS settings/values need to change?

See this post: ThinkPad BIOS whitelist (error 1802/1804) *READ 1st MSG*