T61p: Wifi drivers broken and cannot reinstall (Intel 4965AGN)

Hi,

I'm having trouble with my WiFi drivers of the Intel 4965AGN. The network adapter does not show up in Fn-F5 menu anymore and is probably software deactivated, because it does not search or list any wireless networks anymore.

Here's what I did:
While fiddling with Windows 7 because of some network sharing issues, I saw that there were newer drivers for the WiFi card available (14.03 from Lenovo). So I installed that but noticed that the driver version in the device manager did not go up to that version but was stuck at 13.4. Also other driver versions (older ones from Lenovo, other ones directly from Intel) did not change the installed driver version.

So I deinstalled the driver and ticked the box "delete driver" so that maybe the new version would be found then. That didn't work, but made matters worse because the WiFi adapter did not work ever since.
Symptoms are:
- Does not show up in Fn-F5 menu
- Does not list WiFi networks
- Driver software says that no adapter was found
- Device manager entry is there and without error

I was finally able to install another (older) driver, but with no better outcome. Right now, in the device manager, it shows up without errors as "Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN", driver version is now 12.4.1.4..

I tried
- reinstalling the driver package (several versions)
- deleting the driver files from WIN\system32\drivers
- uninstalling the drivers while in Safe mode
- reinstalling drivers with/without intel software.
- Reinstalling the lenovo power management drivers.
all with no luck.

My guess is that for some reason the association between the network adapter and lenovo drivers (for Fn-F5) is broken and that it is merely a software issue.


Out of ideas.. cable-bound.. desperate for good tips and greatful for your help,

Jo

 

In the Device Manager can you force overwrite the old driver with a newer version? Try using Intel Generic Wi-Fi drivers instead, then in the Device Manager right-click on the wireless adapter and choose "Update Driver Software". Manually refer to the Intel package and see how it goes. I tend to update my wireless drivers manually without using the installer package and haven't had any issues, including my own T61 coming from a 3945abg -> Intel 5100 -> Intel 6205.

 

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but did you check the hardware switch on the front of the computer?

 

Hi,
thanks for your suggestions.

Yes, I have thought of the hardware switch. Bluetooth is also on and in the FN-F5 dialog I can see the bluetooth device, just not the Wifi Adapter.

I've tried to install the newest driver from Lenovo again (14.03) over my 12.x driver version and afterwards the driver version according to the device manager was again 13.4.

I've now deinstalled the device again to a point where it is not even shown in the device manager, not even as a yellow question mark.

Will try to install the Intel drivers, but I've already tried that after the 14.03 did not install correctly the first time.

Jo