t400 / windows 7 / intel wifi 5100 problem

Okay, so here's my problem. I purchased a second hand t400, here's a link to the build:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/quickPath.do?quickPathEntry=27672HU

So the laptop had Windows XP on it when I received it and I wiped it clean and installed Windows 7 Ultimate (Don't have any of the Lenovo CDs by the way). After the install though for some reason I can't get connected to the internet, neither wired through Ethernet or wireless. So I checked the Lenovo website and installed all the drivers that I needed for the laptop and I still can't get the laptop to realize there's a wireless adapter and I still can't connect to the internet through the Ethernet.

When I went into Device Manager there isn't even a network adapters category listed, so I thought oh great this doesn't even have a wireless adapter. So I opened up the laptop and there is one in there. It's a Intel Wifi 5100.

I'm completely stuck on what to do. I've tried just about every Vista and Windows 7 driver on the Lenovo website, tried installing Vista in case it was compatibility issues with Windows 7 and still can't get this laptop connected to the internet.

The only thing I could figure is it's a motherboard driver issue, or motherboard issue somewhere if it won't recognize the wireless card and the Ethernet, since I think the Ethernet port is part of the mobo and the Wireless Adapter is a PCI or PCI-E card I believe.

Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated. I've spent all day trying to get this to work and I'm burnt out.

 

Go here and try the driver install from Intel

Make sure within bios the wifi is on and the switch is on

 

Did you check your BIOS? It may be disabled from there.

 

Just a shot in the dark here but... is the wifi switch turned on? It's located on the front-left side.

 

Tried the driver from Intel, made sure the switch was on and checked the BIOS and everything under Network was enabled, even updated the BIOS. One thing I noticed though in the main BIOS screen where it shows your system information where it says Internal MAC address it says: Not Applicable.

Is that indicating a problem with the motherboard?

I just can't understand why everything else works, it even detects the modem, but I can't get the Ethernet or the wireless card working.

 

AFAIK the WiFi is a separate card. Is it even installed? Check the service manual to see how to get "inside" the laptop and check to make sure the mini card is properly seated. The Ethernet jack should be working as it is part of the main board (right?)

 

Yeah I already opened it up that was the first thing I did when I noticed Network Adapters wasn't even listed in the Device Manager. And yeah it is in there it's an Intel Wifi Link 5100 and yeah the Ethernet is part of the mobo and everything else works except that..that's why I'm confused as to what the hell it could be..I guess I could always just send it in since it's under warranty

 

Are U sure the wifi card is NOT within the WWAN slot?
Not sure if it would work within that slot

 

the slots should be the same as far as the system is concerned...

 

You said there are no LAN or wifi adapters listed in Device Manager? Could it be that the drivers for those were not installed? If so head over to Lenovo and grab those drivers, or get them through ThinkVantage System Update.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-72858

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/TVSU-UPDATE.html