Ruud at 08:18, 11 August 2006

2006-08-11T08:18:47Z

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Sorry but this info is really not linux related, but specific to Thinkpads though.

==Access Connection==

Access Connection is the tool that Thinkvantage (by lenovo) offers to easilly switch network connections (Ethernet or wireless).

The latest ThinkVantage Access Connections for Windows 2000 and XP - Notebooks (Version: 4.12 Release Date: 2006/04/21) does not work well with the WLAN drivers provided by Lenovo for the T42 with Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2200bg (and perhaps other notebooks?).

Unfortunately both the latest drivers and the latest Access Connection are automatically installed by Thinkvantage System Update, leaving you with a disabled WLAN wifi card.

Below a cookbook how I got things working again (after about 8 hours of effort). You need the folowing tools:
* The driver instalation as installed by lenovo (v9.0.4.13)
* the driver instalation as installed by Intel (v9.0.4.17)

Cookbook:
* Deinstall all wlan drivers that you can find. Sometimes I see both a IBM provided application packagen and a Thinkvantage provided package
* Reboot
* Install the lenovo drivers (after deinstalling, running the System Update will pick the correct ones)
* Reboot
* Now my Access Connection shows the WLAN but can't enable it
* extract the Intel drivers (wireless_10.5.0.0_generic_119670.exe)
* Open Network connections, open the wlan adapter, configure the fysical adapter, select driver tab (version should show v9.0.4.13)
* Select update Driver
* Do not searc for drivers
* Install from specific location
* Do not search disk
* Have disk
* use driver in c:\intel\wireless...\XP\Drivers\
* reboot

I wish everybody having this problem the best of luck,

Ruud

Access connection problems - Revision history

Ruud at 08:18, 11 August 2006