Wireless issues with Intel/Pro Wireless 2200BG

Can we upgrade the firmware on the Intel PRO 2200? Where can we get that firmware?

As for me I can't complain any more, my Netgear AP is working brilliantly with my Intel Pro on 9.0.1.21...

 

I think seeing as how people are experiencing this problem with such a wide range of APs that simply upgrading your firmware isn't going to do anything.

 

Also forgot to mention in the last post, one of the things that I really wish was in XP WZC was the ability to view information about the SSID in question, such as broadcast channel, AP's carrying the SSID, etc. This something that both the Linksys and PROSet software have that can be extremely useful sometimes administering a wlan.

 

While I was googling for info on a fix to this (how I found this wonderful forum too, btw , I came across this link on Intel's website:

http://support.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/cs-006205.htm

Going by the date, this appears to be something they have been struggling with since 2003. Just wish I knew about this before I plopped down $100 for a Linksys SRX pccard adapter. After moving power management to max I get occasional dips to 36kpbs within 5 feet of the router but waiting to give final judgement after I can try it out on several different AP's, including the 3com 8750's I set up at my work - I was never able to connect to them using 802.11x.

HW rev is 0.1.3, installed in a Mitac 8050D.

 

But that then just makes your WLAN easier to crack if it is protected. Ideally not even your SSID should be broadcast and the Linksys router management allows you to disable SSID broadcast. People can't get onto your WLAN if they don't know your SSID, let alone your WEP/WPA password.

I don't think the 2200BG firmware can be updated since Intel releases fairly regular driver updates which take care of that.

 

Well.. Best buy said - our motherboard in the dell was shot..

We called dell to repair and they had us go through out bios startup by pressing F2 and it appears that our wireless was turned "off" somehow. We switched it back on and now everything works..

ok... ?



maybe that will help someone else someday.

 

you have the option of switching off power to your wireless adapter through the bios to save battery power yes but that isn't the problem people are having because when there is no power the device is not recognised by the system at all

 

OK well it was in fact the problem for me so I was just trying to help and follow up. It may be an option for someone somewhere..

 

I don't understand why when someone else will host the new driver, but not in Intel website? I am using the IBM *.21 version right now and it does help a bit. The signal strength is still going between 54 to 34. Also if you are using the IBM driver, it doesn't come with the Intel management tools. You will have to use the Window's one. It does look like the window tools is more stable, but it might also because the window tools do not refresh the status as frequently?! I want to know when Intel will have a new driver.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by chansi

 

Why don't we make an online petition @ http://www.petitiononline.com/???

Maybe if there're a hundred of users signing this... we'll get an answer from Intel...

 

Good idea... why don't you start it?

 

I found in other forums a possible solution for connectivity problems between WRT54G and Linksys 802.11g PCI Wireless card (which has the RT2500 chip from Ralink Technologies...) and maybe this solution could apply for us...
It seems that it's a Microsoft issue... (if it's I'm gonna shoot myself...). Because wireless utility from Microsoft doesn't handle very well... so you must completely disable the utility and install your vendor utility.
It may be true because when I tested the Intel 2200BG in Linux it ran very well, no disconnections (I was using Open Source Drivers but there are no Intel drivers for Intel as Intel gives some money for this project); though I couldn't (with the version I used) use encryption...
Here's a link with screenshots: http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/remark,12480664~mode=flat
Here's the link from Microsoft: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;821400

Is there somebody who wants to test this? [ ]

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by wsecomp

 

Well folks, I have a slightly different situation. The client's laptop is a Dell with an Intel Wireless card (don't know which model) and it's connecting to the LinkSys router when NO encryption is enabled. However, when I turn the WEP/128 on (on both the laptop & router), it kills the DHCP connection. The laptop sees the router, but not the other way around. Turning the WEP off restores normality.

Is this part of the driver issue, as well?

-- Matt Smith
WS/E Computer Services

 

Huh... the Linksys 802.11g PC (cardbus) card was the card I threw into my Fujitsu in order to be able to connect after all of this started. Never had a problem with dropouts with that card and WZC. I hate these undiagnosable, intermittent issues! :-[

P.S.: STILL without my laptop. When it comes back, I swear it better work!

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by MrAnonym

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by MrAnonym

 

I'm not surprised... the solution was for an issue with a completely different WLAN solution (different interface type, different chip manufacturer, different card manufacturer.).

 

The new Thinkpad X41 comes installed with the Intel Pro 2915ABG, and boy did it give me headaches. It has issues connecting with any Linksys router, if you call being unable to connect at all an issue. I tried with both the WGR A/B and the G router. IBM(Lenova actually) finally broke down and sent me the Atheros LAN mini PCI Adapter 2 and lo and behold all my connection issues went away. Makes one want to cry.

Part of the issue is the IBM Access connection software does not want to change the power settings to get past the power saver modes. The Atheros card is less sophisticated, and hence not in war-mode v. Linksys routers.

A-G

 

Hi everybody,

I've been reading the posts in this forum ever since i got my laptop with intelpro 2200bg. Until this evening I also experienced the same problems.

However, on another forum I found an WinXP (SP2 minumum) update for WPA(2) protection (may 2005 fix). (For now)This fixed my WPA Pre Shared Key problem.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357

Greetz

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by wsecomp

 

Hi,
I've read all 9 pages of this thread and there is no solution it seems that evryone is happy with. It really seems like the same information is offered over and over again with no getting what they need.

Does anyone know what the solution is? I had no problem what so ever with this card the first time connected. Nothing at all. I had to return the PC for a problem with it being defective,not the card. Connecting the exchanged notebook was a nightmare and resulted in changing the performance of not only that notebook but the other 2 computers all networked,all to the same Linksys router. It ruined the best connection I had for a long time. You could not get a better connection and with consistancy the first time or before it was connected. The last connection with replacement notebook ruined it all for all my computers. There is without a doubt obviously many defective or poor qualty IntelPro 2200 cards. That has to be the main problem!!! No ones come up with a fix for everyone . This card is in so many manufactures and the reason for this problem is a huge many bad cards. That's it. So do we live with it,fight for a new one,which if it doesn't work at all with some tests is no problem and a necessity. This all sucks. I read about these problems but the second I had my first notebook with this card, no problems in the slightest! Second notebook has caused too many huge problems that I can't fix and I can't pay for someone to do it,which is what's needed.

What did you all decide..........???

Heart

Karma, It'll Get You!

 

Here's an update since my post on 04/28/2005 / page 5 of this forum:
I tried the the majority of the driver recommendations posted regarding the Intel Pro 2200/2915 to get a stable connect speed w/my Intel 2915. The results were always the same, fluctuating connect speeds w/occasional disconnects. I've got a pretty extensive knowledge of computers, software and electronics to know a bad product when I see one especially when I read of the same problem plaguing end users w/DIFFERENT notebooks.

Do the math
1) different notebooks
2) different wireless routers
3) same wireless cards (Intel Pro/Wireless 2200 & 2915)
4) same drivers
5) SAME PROBLEMS: Fluctuating connect speeds w/occasional disconnects

I've only posted twice regarding this problem because I've been experimenting and reading these posts... I hold off until I have a concrete lead.

Here's what I did:
I contacted Dell and explained the situation. Of course, they had me jump hoops trying their recommendations: WLAN setting, software setting, etc. Finally, they decided that I needed a new wireless card. "Yes" I thought I'm going to get the Dell Truemobile 1450 that I should have gotten in the first place. "Oh, No!" I cringed when he told me that another Intel 2915 would be arriving in a couple of days. Sure enough, the new 2915 showed up on time, popped it in with the same results.

Dell tech support called up to see if I had received the card and if I needed assistance in installing it. I told them I had already done so on both counts and reported the same results. I then suggested that I would like to try the Dell Truemobile 1450. The tech agreed and in 2 business days I had a new card. I popped it in and it showed up in XP as a 1350... paper said 1450 (abg card) but the card was the 1350 (bg only). Hey, we're only human so, despite of the mixup I went ahead and tried it. Results? No connection below 36.0 Mbps 3 rooms away from my access point and NO dropouts. I can set it to 54.0 Mbps and it will stay there although websites seem to load slower for some sites... still tweaking this. I hit consistent 48.0 and above on the second floor of my house; the wireless router is on the 1st floor.

Again, Dell tech support called to see how I had made out. I explained that although the wrong card was sent, it worked worlds better than the Intel. They said they'd send out the right one and to use the return label and send back the wrong one.

Rec'd the 1450 the other day and it's been working like it should.

My reason for getting the Intel 2915 was that it was "Centrino " approved... whatever this means. The Dell works just fine with my Centrino chip and I haven't seen any less performance from my battery.


Bottom Line: Replace those failing Intel 2200/2915s. Another similar Intel card may fix the prob... doubt it, it could be a compatability factor between the notebook and this card or back to my hunch that it's just a poorly designed product and driver.

Individually writting to complain or seek help from Intel hasn't, doesn't, and won't fix things. Collectively? Who knows. But what can be done is to contact your notebook manufacturers, explain the prob. and see what they recommend. When this fails, then put in your recommendation for the fix, a different, other than Intel, card.

In the meantime, STEER anyone you know from purchasing this particular product. Although it's an inexpensive card, a decline in demand equals a decline in $$$. They're aware of the problem and just maybe, they'll decide to do something about it. Don't be surprised if it's replaced by a new card! Hope this helps.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Xfactor

 

I was having the drop in speed problems on my Asus Z71v. The AP is a Linksys WRT54G. Well, I tried everything, then tried changing channels.

I tried them all - and guess what?

Channel 10 finally proved to be consistant and trouble free. Wirelessly, my speed stays at 54 with an excellent signal, with occasional drops to 48.

I'm about 40 feet from the router, two rooms away.

How Can A Person as great as I be so humble?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by CapeMayAl

 

Gold - Thanks for the heads up on my website. I didn't know there was a problem.

I'll get on it tomorrow - thanks again!

CapeMayAl

How Can A Person as great as I be so humble?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by CapeMayAl

 

Gold - it's fixed. www.capemayal.com

Dumb, stupid, ignorant, asine, idiotic - and whatever else I can think of, setting I set that I shouldn't have set when I set it so now it's not set anymore so the setting that isn't set, is not needed to be set.

(Got that?) [ ]

How Can A Person as great as I be so humble?

 

I'm pretty sure I know what happened. I tried to enable secure FTP transfers. I probably screwed it up without knowing it. Also, the host's servers were being upgraded, so that could be it too.

Here's another site I designed.... www.pigsonwheels.com

How Can A Person as great as I be so humble?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by CapeMayAl

 

I think we all have the same problem because of this:
http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/cs-006205.htm

I have SONY S380 with Intel 2915ABG and my router is Dlink DI-624+
Now I will try to install Intel driver version 9.0.1.21 from IBM and later will post if it helped. Also did what they recommended on Intel site.

 

That setting on Intel site has never been of any help forme.

Did you see an improvement?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by alenas

 

This might be dumb,and a stupid remark, but we're all worrying about our routers - seems to me the problem is on Intel's side.

Or, did I miss that in this thread?



How Can A Person as great as I be so humble?

 

Before I had IBM with ibm's a/b/g wireless. Did not have any problems with Dlink Di-624+.
Problems started only when I bought SONY with Intel wireless. So it is definitely not Routers fault. The funny thing is that Intel card is connecting so badly that after few days time it kills wireless router and i have to restart router now and then. Never happened with IBM. Somehow I suspect that it is Cisco wireless extensions, that are built-in into Intel wireless cards are messing things. You can disable them only if you install drivers from Intel and use Intel PROSet to manage connections.
Although at work I am using Linksys WRTG54G (which is set to allow G only) and everything works fine even with Intel cards (and we have 4 notebooks with different intel cards here - all work).

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by CapeMayAl

 

OK so we are on a forum here discussing the merits of Intel Pro 2200BG. What about the other forums on our individual AP's? I am not saying it is solely Intel's fault as such but I think there may be compatibility issues between Intel Pro 2200 and certain AP's. For instance, my old Linksys WAG54G was known to have some issues in hardware version 1.2 which had never been fully addressed with umpteen firmware revisions. Apparently a newer hardware v2 resolves these connectivity problems. How do we therefore explain the fact that when I put the WAG54G into retirement and used the Netgear WGR614 (hardware v5), lo and behold, WPA and constant 54Mbps become non-issues? And how come I connect to public hotspots easily?

It would be foolish in my opinion if we only focused on one side of the equation when trying to resolve our wireless problems.

I'm a n00b here please be nice!

 

Just for the heck of it, I switched my router from Linksys 54gs to Netgear 614.

no change.

So, as far as I'm concerned it's an Intel thing, and not a router problem.

Intel - if they're reading this thread, should step up to the plate and say it's their hardware/software, and do what they should.

I'd like to be able to switch the cards, in my Asus, but, it's a new machine under warranty.

I've sent a email to ProPortable, and hopefully, they'll be able to get Asus and/or Intel to fix it.



How Can A Person as great as I be so humble?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by wsecomp

 

JPH - I hear what you're saying about a campatibility issue. But, IMHO, there's just too many AP's involved from all the major vendors for this to NOT be an intel problem. It doesn't matter what computer mfg is involved either. Since this thread, alone, goes back to February, 2005, then it's clear to me, that Intel just doesn't give a damn.

How Can A Person as great as I be so humble?

 

I read most of thread. There is a firmware update on the Linksys site for the WRT54G specifically and others that help at least 75% with the speed dropping ,etc... I assumed most of you tried this first,in case you didn't at least update it now. I'm not saying It'll fix all issues but it should be done.

Unfortunately,I was searching for it left the room and someone else finished and started the download so I don't know which it was. It's the newest firmare update and made a considerable diference. it's easy enough to find. It took 2 minutes.

GM

 

Was having major connectivity problems between router and laptop whe I let Intel manage my wireless connection. My dell has the Intel Pro 2915 wireless card. Following the advice on this post, I let Windows manage my wireless setup and bingo, all problems gone. Full speed all the time with no dropouts. (Router is the Belkin 3214)

 

Well, I think I got a fix. I complained to Intel via email (only once too!) Maybe they are reading this thread, but this was their response:

Dear Customer,

IntelR is a supplier of notebook components and does not manufacture or sell complete notebook systems. The software provided here is a generic version.
Each notebook computer original equipment manufacturer (OEM) may have altered the features, incorporated customizations, or made other changes to the software or software packaging they provide. The software provided has not been verified by your notebook manufacturer as to compatibility or other operation.

Intel or the notebook computer original equipment manufacturer (OEM) may not provide technical support for some or all issues that could arise from the usage of this software.

The shared file will be available to you on the Web for 1 Week.

Copy and paste the entire link below into Notepad. Adjust so it occupies 1 line of text in Notepad without word wrap on, then copy/paste into your web browser.

https://secure.filesanywhere.com/xELinkMain.asp?crypt=%97%8Cz%97zs%81%86%93r
%92%AA%A6z%87%9B%B3%5Dy%A7%95%A1%99%9F%9Epz%7C%82a%82a%7DiL%87%9A%7Dt%95%8D%
8C%82%82%5F%5C%81%81%86h%83%97%95v%AB%98%8C%86%B9%C7%B4%92%AD%C3%9D%A7%A9%7B
%9F%9C%C7%96%C5%7E%9D%9D%A0


How Can A Person as great as I be so humble?

 

Forgot to say, that I've been using this driver since about 3pm EST (-5 GMT), and have not had one problem!

Battery or electric - no problem.

Constant 54 mbps!

How Can A Person as great as I be so humble?

 

Hello there

I have Zepto Znote 4200. It's Centrino based, with the Intel 2200BG wireless card. And guess what.. I cannot connect to my SMC wireless router and it really pisses me off. I have tried both the old driver, and the newest one but none helps.

The thing different from you guys is, that i can't find the network at all. Not the WZC nor the Intel ProSet. Nothing shows up. I'm gonna mail Zepto right after i have written this msg, and i hope they'll send me something new (and working [} ]).

But meanwhile, i'm still looking for a solution to this problem. I don't know why i can't even find the wlan, i hope you can tell me why?

 

These are the same drivers that have been posted twice already on this thread. 9.0.1.21 (UI version 9.0.1.4, device driver version 9.0.1.21.) Many people get this driver emailed to them from Intel, including me, and have posted that it didn't help them.

 

Perhaps....just perhaps, they tweaked it? I'm working fine after about 7 hours. It might change tomorrow, but for now it's fine.

How Can A Person as great as I be so humble?

 

At last I realise that I am not the only owner of this lemon! [xx(] Incidentally this Intel 2200BG crap does not work reliably either with the MSI wireless APs. Used to work fine with a D-link PCMCIA DWL-650+ and since I installed this thingy, it is absolute crap.

As listed in this thread, Intel do not reply, but you guys in the US should have something called a [ !] class action lawsuit, whereby consumers have the right to seek attention from the manufacturer, if there is sufficient proof that the item has an innate defect in the way it should work. [?] Can something of this sort be raised online to get Intel's actions???