T61 Wireless Woe

Hi all,
I just recently got my t61 widescreen running on vista with an intel 3945ABG
and ever since then this wireless problem has been happenin sporadically.
whether on AC power or battery power, the wireless will just suddenly trip
i.e. the LED light goes off and i lose all internet connection.

toggling with the hardware switch doesnt work
i've changed the battery settings
and followed the pdf guide floating online to change the deep smart power down functions.
ive updated all possible drivers.
basically ive done almost everything i can think off.
does anyone else have anything to suggest?

on top of that the access control believes my wireless is powered on when the LED has very obviously died, and trying to turn it on or off/enable or disable it will cause the program to hang.

only remedy is to reboot and hope that it doesnt trip on me again
so what exactly is up? is it intel or my t61?
please help, its very frustrating.

 

I am thinking the problem is with the wireless router / broadband modem. Not the T61.

Does this happen to other notebooks or computers (on wireless)?

 

... How does the T61 disabling the power to the Wireless card even remotely relate to the Router? I have a very similar problem, OP... sometimes my device disassociates itself from the router, even though it shows as connected and good. The only fix is to hardware off/access connections/hardware on/wireless on/reapply profile for my home network. It's kinda funky. bleh.

 

Did you try changing the channels on the router? Try turning it up to 11 or something.

 

I have the same problem! I don't think its the wireless router that's causing it. I have a desktop using wireless adapter and sharing the same wireless connection but it has NEVER EVER lost connection.

In contrast, my t61's wireless radio turned itself off dozens of times in the past month for no reason at all. When this happens, and I bring up the wireless radio menu with Fn+F5, 802.11 wireless radio is shown to be on. And there is no way to toggle the status of the wireless radio in the menu. Somehow the system thinks the wireless radio is still on?

Not sure if you noticed, cpu performance is also greatly slowed down after the wireless radio turns itself off. Try playing any cpu intensive game and you'll see a BIG difference. Else if you use a sidebar app such as Cpu Meter (Dual Core) v2.1, you'll see that cpu usage is higher than normal.

Hardware problem for sure. I brought my laptop to the lenovo service centre, wasted lots of time there but the problem still persists. In short, lenovo sucks. I will never buy another lenovo product.

 

... I'm going to repeat this one more time for those of us who are inclined to ignore posts. The router has nothing to do with it... The router doesn't disable the hardware device on the laptop. It. Just. Does. Not. Happen.

LS, what process is using the CPU?

 

Well I understand why you say that, but I also understand why people keep mentioning the router.

1. I have a T61 which when coming out of sleep can have mysteriously turned off the intel AGN card - so I think I see what you are seeing.

2. I have tried to rummage around Vista to find out "who" is turning off the wireless card. I haven't found out who. But if you poke the Windows connection diagnostic enough, you can get it to tell you that the wireless is off and it gives you the option to turn it back on. That usually helps. I find I have to go reset the adapter after that too. So I think I am slightly further ahead of you on that score.

3. Now don't lose your cool, but I do not have this problem in one environment - and that is where I have a nice draft-N router. The place where I have the problem is where we have one of those sucky linksys g routers (the ones that used to be good but they 'updated' to some dumber software). And surprise, surprise, resetting that router can actually help the T61 connect. EVEN WHEN THE CONNECTION IS TO A DIFFERENT, 802.11n ROUTER. You ask how is this possible? Well, it is possible the junky router is spewing a bunch of radio crap that confuses the T61 wireless adapter; if the T61 becomes convinced that there is nothing worthwhile on the radio, maybe some firmware somewhere I haven't figured out turns the adapter off.

So the "does not happen" seems to be happening to me.

 

Huh? What do you mean by 'reset the adapter'? How do you do that when the button in the Fn+F5 menu is stuck when the problem occurs?

Are you sure you're having the same problem as us? When the wireless led is off, the laptop doesn't detect ANY wireless networks at all! Not even your neighbour's! Since you cannot connect to any wireless network when you can't 'see' any, how does it help if you reset your own router? Your wireless card that got turned off still can't see your neighbour's wireless network! Can you please clarify whether is it just your internet connection that is down, or your laptop doesn't detect ANY wireless networks?

@ponicg
The last time it happened, I compared the task manager when led light is off, immediately after restarting the laptop, and after another 1 hr of using the laptop. Nothing noticeable except that cpu usage spiked up to between 50-100% when led light is off. Next time this happens again, I'll take screenshots.

 

Update:

I took screenshots of the task manager before and after the wireless radio went off. All the processes running before and after the slowdown are the same! It seems that CPU slowdown is not due to additional processes or existing processes using up much more CPU power. The T61 just slowed down for no reason!

I suspect it is a cooling/power supply issue with the T61 instead. Perhaps the internal temperature got too high through NORMAL USE (web surfing) so the system turned off wireless radio and slowed down the processor. Why? I've been using it for hours without any issue, then I had to restart it 3 times within the past 30 minutes because the wireless radio kept going off. Darn. It just went off AGAIN, as I'm typing this post. Now I have to save this as a text file and restart the laptop before I can post it!

 

What OS are you people using? I am running Windows XP and I do not experience this issue. Could it be an issue with Vista? Also, are you running any encryption with the wireless card?

Under ThinkVantage Access Connections-->Wireless Settings-->5. Advanced Configuration: Settings --> Power Save Mode, what is your setting? Try changing that around.

 

May I ask what which type of wireless signal the OP is using when it goes dead..ABGN. Is it only under battery power?

Also, I too have the same setup (except XP) and have a similar issue coming out of sleep mode, wifi never wakes up? I am forced to hit Repair until it decides cooperate. Very Frustrating. I'm using G, and "N" is enabled on my Intel 45XXAGN

 

Mine did the same thing...you have to press Fn+F5 and enable it through clicking on

While on battery, the thinkpad will disable the wireless if you are not connected to a network to save battery, even though the switch is set to on

just press fn+f5 and you're good to go!

 

Router is broadcasting b/g signal. I doubt it has much to do with the router. My desktop is using a dlink wireless adapter and I've never seen it lose connection, let alone get disabled.

Also, this happens for me whether I'm on battery or power.

 

I have the same problem. I just received my T61. It runs Vista Home Premium and has the Intel 4964AGN card. I don't know if my computer has a new version for ThinkVantage, but after I get to the Access Connections page, I can not find "wireless settings" or any other path to an advanced link that will let me change the battery power to maximum performance or other setting for the wireless radio mode. This is my first experience with Vista and ThinkVantage, so explict instructions for the path to get to the wireless battery power adjustment will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

Blue TV button/ thinkvantage technologies/power manager
or go to Network Connections...wireless, configure

 

Thanks for the help

 

Under network connections/rt click Wireless-properties/hit configure/power management tab--> is the "allow the computer to turn this off to conserve power" box checked ? If so, uncheck it...I use XP, maybe similar.

Also see advanced tab lots of settings under "property" that could help:

 

I have the same problem. First item doesn't help. Am currently trying with my roaming aggressiveness turned down - see if that helps.....

 

Which problem?

 

Wireless connection hanging for no reason coinciding with a huge slowdown requiring a reboot. Happening about every half an hour at the moment. A couple more days like this and this machine is going back for refund.

 

I have the exact same problem, can't figure out what's going on. Requiring me to randomly reboot is a massive pain.

 

Have either of you done a clean install? Are you running the CSS (Client Security Software)?

 

I have been having a lot of problems with my wireless ever since I received my T61. Very, very slow download speeds over the internet and every once in while a lock up. I changed routers and solved my problems. My old router was 3-4 years old. Everything is working great now.

 

After getting my new T61, I replaced vista (yuck) with XP clean install. Running all the thinkvantage software except CSS and access connections (which I installed then uninstalled).

And it can't be my router, since my old laptop still works fine. For my T61, the wireless card just seems to die randomly (the LED goes off) and it doesn't respond to anything other than a reboot.

 

I tested my notebook with download rates and I had an older 4 year old notebook that performed great on the old router. In fact, the older notbook performed twice as fast as the new one. Since I changed the router, the new T61 is as fast as the older notebook. You might also try to see how it responds at a Starbucks etc., and see if you get the same results.

 

well, my problem isn't slow speeds. my problem is just that the wireless turns off by itself (the wireless LED indicator disappears, windows wireless manager still shows it as being connected but the program is unresponsive, and trying to turn it on through Fn+F5 does nothing). Nothing works except a reboot.

 

well. for me.i just went to reload the drivers from intel from scratch.and it seems to be working now.hasnt died on me so far.just uninstall and reinstall the latest one on intel's website.try it. ive tried everything else.so im hopin this works.

 

hm, I tried that. it doesn't randomly turn off *as often* as before now, but it still happens. ugh.

 

That's working for me so far. Note that I tried the drivers on the Lenovo site and that didn't help - however the drivers from intel do appear to be working.

 

Maybe you guys should try power cycling the router or even resetting the router. Some wireless routers flake out for almost no apparent reason. Some wireless cards are affected where as others are not affected. Some routers flake out when downloading linux .iso on bittorrent.

I had a three year old router just die on me. It started having connection drops and restarts. Network speeds also dropped sharply. My internet went from 3 Mbps to 0.07 Mbps.

Always pick a channel that is as far away from other people. So if everybody else's network is on channel 11, pick channel 1.

It almost always seems to be the router when people have problems with wireless connection.

 

Are your T61's connected to your router using DHCP or a static IP address? I get less problems when I connect via a static IP address to the router versus using DHCP.

 

im a little skeptical if its really a router issue. it really seems more like a hardware problem or software conflict to me. well yeah the intel driver solution seems to have failed. its improved the situation, but it just started dying on me today again, after 2 weeks. could i demand ibm/lenovo to change my wireless card? think it'll work?

 

I lied. Installing the latest drivers did not solve my issue. Turning off Windows firewall however did.

Checking the security event log after losses of connection revealed the following errors every time:

Windows Firewall was unable to notify the user that it blocked an application from accepting incoming connections on the network.

Error Code: 2

Now if the logging was any good it might, for instance, help me out with which application it blocked it - but no - so out it goes replaced with a third party firewall.

 

You can demand for a replacement. What I did was to take a video of the situation and make my case in a firm tone. The service centre will give all sorts of excuses that its the router etc. they can't replace. But if you assert yourself in a firm and confident manner, those techies will admit that there is a fault with the hardware and change it.

 

I disconnect extremely frequently when connecting to my University's network. Everyone else using laptops didn't experience disconnections. Not to mention that the only way to reconnect is to restart the computer, only to be disconnected right afterwards (and it causes the computer to become extremely slow ~ takes about 6 minutes for the restarting process).

 

As documented in my other thread, I suffered the same problem. I decided to install XP. The problem went away and I am now a happy camper, getting a lot of productivity out of my brand new T61.

 

have a similar issue. laptop is plugged in and then i lose my wireless connection -- which is related to the spotty coverage. but then for some reason, the wireless card just shuts off. and i can't turn it back on at all. in fact, the wireless manager from lenovo crashes too when trying to turn it back on. only solution is to restart the computer.

in addition, there's another issue too. i also get booted off my dorm network. it happens with my t61...but not with my old compaq laptop. that one always stays connected. we have some weird authentication where i have to put in my school credentials. i have a feeling this is maybe a vista issue, but im not sure.

 

It is in all likelihood a Vista-related issue. I can't really make it any clearer than I already have. The way I see it, you have the following options:

1) Hunt around for an updated driver that perhaps will make it work better. I've been down this road and so cannot recommend it. It was a waste of time for me and may be for you as well;

2) Keep suffering and complaining, maybe derive some sort of satisfaction from your resigned martyrdom. I dunno, whatever floats your boat dude...

3) Get rid of Vista and install XP. If you do it correctly, you will not only solve your wireless problem, but also end up with a faster-performing machine.

 

I had this problem on the G1s using Vista and the Dell using Vista. I figured out that when you install the drivers through the setup it will do that.

I just manually installed them so that the app that usually goes along with the drivers was not installed.

Sorry I know that is some pretty piss poor instructions.

Basically Vista likes to be the only wireless app. Even if you are using the windows one it will still do it unless you only install the driver.

I have spent many hours with custumer service until a friend on mine recommended that I try that.

To sum up it is a Vista issue.

 

I did notice that every time I try to update from ThinkVantage System Update, the bar freezes at 3~7% and then disconnects.

 

that utility is plain retarded; I don't suggest using it; just use windows update and let that handle it all

 

This is just ridiculous. I can't even get on for two minutes without disconnecting. I see everyone else around me with Vista and they're getting stable connections. Might be something with only T61 and Vista?
Everything to do with networking stops working after I disconnect. The Network and Sharing center, the Connect to, Access Connections and the Windows network, they all freeze and leave my laptop using up 50% CPU resources constantly. I have to resort to restarting which takes so damn long. Sometimes I just get a black screen and am forced to shutdown the wrong way (holding down power button).

Everything else is great about the T61. It's just the wireless is screwed up!

 

I've got the same problem. I'm thinking about returning my T61 because of all these disconnects. My connection gets dropped at least once an hour.

Jeff

 

The network sign stops lighting up. Turning off and then turning on master radio doesn't help.

Someone's got to have a solution to this.

 

Hi,

My name is Renee and I've just ordered a T61p running Vista. Currently I have a Lenovo 3000 running Vista and I have the same problems with the 3945. The 3000 runs much of the same software. I do not see the problems at home under high signal conditions. I do see the problem when I am not connected. I have set my power management plans and have unchecked the checkbox which allows turning the 3945 off and I still see the 3945 turn off. I do not see increased cpu consumption of sluggishness. I have also seen something in the system reset the power management setting. Do not assume you know what they just because you have set them.

I believe part of the problem is an Aggressive Autoconfiguration Manager in Vista. The "Go back to XP" is not a good solution. There is a Vista problem and it needs to be fixed. Btw, I am running the latest Intell drivers and that doesn't fix the problem.

I'd like to ask how talking to the Lenovo people got this changed? I am really looking forward to my T61p and will already be well aquainted with this problem as I have been dealing with it for about two months as I have been developing Vista Wireless Software. What was done to clean this up?

 

Here is another tip on this. Last night I replaced the Intel 3945 with an Atheros 5006EX. The bios accepted the new card without locking it out AND the card remains powered up as desired.

 

Hmm I have Vista 64 bit and the Intel wireless on my T61p and it works perfectly.

EDIT: Oh wait, I have the Intel a/g/n wireless, 82566 I think is the model, different wireless than yours right?

Guess you shoulda gotten the better card

 

Sadly, I've learned a new fact that adds a lot to this thread I believe.

When I installed the new Atheros card it worked beutifull all day but, it had no LED indication. I looked carefully at the registry and noticed that the 3945 had an awful lot more parameters than the Atheros driver did including a parameter called LEDMode. I'm not sure what driver was on the original system but it did not have this power problem.

Sooooo. I installed the Lenovo driver for this Atheros card. It's the same as the thinkpad mini-pci express card. As it turns out, I did not get my LED back and now I have the same problem that everyone else does so it appears that this problem are in the Lenovo drivers. The really bad news though is that in the Vista Device Manager. ROLLBACK DRIVER is greyed out as if the original driver is gone. I think I'm just going to install the Atheros Vista Driver, forget the LED and let it go at that.

 

I bet this has something to do with the Access Connections software which constantly wants to control your wireless, turning it off to save power if you don't have a connection profile currently applied.

I have noticed if you try to configure wireless only using Windows Vista's interface, it will "fight" with Access Connections, i.e. one connects, the other disconnects, both are trying to manage the wireless adapter... conflicting with each other...

I now use ONLY the Access Connections software to control my wireless and I don't have any problems. I did have problems and disconnections when i tried using the Windows wireless configuration interface without Access Connections. Just a thought...

 

can you tell me how did you do that? i tried to uninstall the access connections but it didn't solve my problem. many thanks.