Need to swap wireless on new T61

I ordered a new T61 7658CTO with WinXP Pro for my daughter with the base "ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe" feature. She started school and the university helpdesk says she cannot connect to the campus wireless because she does not have a wireless adapter on the approved list (my mistake).

When I ordered the T61 there was only one other option for wireless, "Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN". This is on the university's approved list. I've searched this forum and did not see any discussion of replacing the base wireless feature with the 4965AGN.

Questions: Where can I obtain a T61-compatible 4965AGN and what do I need to look out for?

I've read elsewhere of possible problems installing "generic" wireless adapters with some ThinkPads, and I was advised to buy direct from Lenovo. Is this concern valid? (I did not see the part orderable at lenovo.com.) What about 2-antennas vs 3-antennas as discussed in this forum? Will I have installation challenges?

I regret that the T61 is now 500 miles away and that I cannot work with the helpdesk to understand why they won't support the wireless card we have. Intel PRO/Wireless 2100, 2200BG, 2915ABG and 3945ABG options are on the approved list too, if any of these are compatible with the T61 and easier to install. Thanks!

 

The AGN needs another antenna, I think. You're probably better off going w/the 3945ABG. Check w/others before acting, though.

 

this is absolutely rediculous. All WiFi cards are the same. You do not need to change it get it to work with the campus wireless network. Just have your daughter find someone who knows what they're doing.

"approved list" my a$$

 

Agreed....

 

Thirded...

On the universities website there should exist instructions for setting up the wifi. Check into it before making any hardware changes. 802.11x is a set universal standards.

 

I agree.

If you have to change it, ponicg made a very good point.

 

I'm sorry you have to deal with this ridiculous "approved" card nonsense. What reasoning would there be for approving primarily Intel cards wifi cards? Universities programs are getting ridiculous in their requirements and restrictions on what student need to have. The University of Minnesota Law Program requires you to buy one of two Dells they have on their Dell portal if you are in the program.

 

I'll bet the problem is just a typical wifi setup issue: wrong SSID, wrong encryption selected, wrong passcode etc.

It might help to say "Why yes, I do have the Intel xxyyABGN card!" when talking to the helpdesk drone. There's a good chance they'll come back with "ok, do you have WPA enabled?"

 

I really appreciate the excellent advice everyone has provided! You've encouraged us to try to use the existing wireless card by mapping as best we can the parameters in the instructions the GW Law School provides for "supported" cards. Someone at work said that since GWU requires LEAP it will be best to use ThinkVantage Access Connections so I will look into that. Thanks again!

 

just a heads up...last year I had a connection issue because my ssid in active directory was corrupt - though mr student account showed the correct mac. They used a hotspot type setup that tied my mac toy student account in AD...I had to suggest they go in and manually fixbit using adsiedit as occasionally the GUI used to manage ad is incorrect if there is something wrong with the directory itsefl. After manually putting my correct mac in - my issues were resolved.

Excuse the spelling I'm on my phone

 

Thank you all for your good advice! We did NOT swap out the wireless card and my daughter was able to connect to the LEAP network by selecting the appropriate settings in ThinkVantage Access Connections on her T61.

This forum is a great resource.

 

Glad to hear it!

Remember, with university tech support they just want to TRY to have a standard so they don't have to spend 3 hours trying to fix some no-name adapter from some home-built experiment gone wrong.

I always assume they're just wrong and go about my way, especially when you're dealing with real standards like 11b/g