Trying to install Intel 3945abg wireless card in 2370 - Not recognized?

Hey all,
I've had some strange issues that I couldn't resolve with the default Ralink wireless adapter in my Averatec 2370, so I decided to try to switch it out with a different one. Since averatecforums is down, and averatec's official support is worthless, I just gambled on getting an Intel 3945abg card, as it seemed fairly universal and had the correct form factor.

Unfortunately, I can't seem to get it installed for some reason. I uninstalled the Ralink software and the Ralink card, then installed the Intel card. I expected windows to find it and ask for drivers, but it never did, so I went ahead and manually installed the software/driver package from the Intel site. When it finished, the wireless software program opened with a message saying "driver is not installed." If I check the device manager, it doesn't even have a wireless nic listed.

I know some manufacturers restrict your ability to replace the wireless card with a different model, but I was guessing/hoping that Averatec didn't. It's possible that this is just a bad card, but that seems convenient. Does anyone have any experience with this card, or - alternately - does anyone have any suggestions for a replacement wireless card that they KNOW will work in the 2370?

(By the way, this is on XP)

Thanks!

 

Maybe there is some config in the BIOS that you need to adjust first.

 

Didn't see anything that looked promising. Any ideas what this might look like?

 

I know in my 2200 series the ralink mini wireless card is actually an internal USB card, not mini-pci as is more typical. That may be causing your incompatibility problem.

 

How would I be able to tell if this is the case? The 2370 I have doesn't have a mini-pci card, but a PCI Express Mini Card ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express_Mini_Card).

The Intel replacement I got is the exact same form factor, so I'm not sure if it's possible for there to be multiple incompatible PCI Express mini cards with the same form factor or not.

 

Hmm...ic...didn't realize it was a PCI EXPRESS mini card...that's definitely a different form factor and you're unlikely to have the mini-USB internal like on the 2200 series. I know that doesn't really help your cause though, sorry

If you go back to the ralink card, have you tried using the ralink card's software or where you using the built-in WinXP wireless software? I was using the ralink software for a while as it lets you tweak a lot of settings that the default MS one doesn't let you.

 

when i had a 2200 series, i tried replacing the pci express mini card with a 3945abg, and had no luck either. it was never recognized.

 

Well, at least that helps, even if it's not good news!
Please tell me you found a suitable replacement that worked for you...

snork: I've tried both wireless managers. The problem I'm having (the reason for the card replacement) is really, really strange, and I've never been able to find anything to explain it anywhere I've looked for info.

Basically, almost all wireless transfers to or from my 2370 to other computers on my home network using my wireless connection get corrupted. For instance, if I send a zip file or exe file that works fine on my 2370 to another computer, it will say corrupt and won't open on that computer, and vice versa. If I send digitial photos to or from, they come out openable, but with crazy discoloration. This doesn't happen from any other computer to any other computer - whether wireless or not.

However, if I turn off the wireless on the 2370 and used wired, the transfers go through without a hitch.

As a test, I uninstalled the ralink software and attached an external usb wireless adapter/dongle. I completed lots of test transfers to and from the laptop without a problem. Re-install the ralink - test transfers all have problems.

One last note, which makes it even more confusing. I can download files from the internet directly to the laptop and they're always fine. So for instance, I can download an exe from a website to the 2370, then run it on the 2370 without a problem. If I try to transfer that exe *wired* to another computer on the network, it runs without a problem. If I transfer it wirelessly on the external usb adapter, it works fine. But if I transfer it using the Ralink, it's corrupt by the time it reaches the other computer.

The file size is always identical. I guess it could be a network problem, but I've tried two different routers, and two different laptops, and the only time I ever have a problem is using the Ralink. Very, very weird, because otherwise the card works great - connects well to the network, lets me do any and everything I want online wirelessly, it just corrupts files when I transfer them to/from another computer. Unfortunately, I download all of my digital photos to the 2370 from my camera, and then transfer them to my NAS media server. I don't like having to connect to the wired connection to make it work properly, and I've already permanently corrupted too many of my photos thinking I could just transfer them wirelessly since they seemed to go through fine.

Sorry for the long explanation, but maybe somebody here will have some clue as to what my problem is. Otherwise, if I can just find a suitable replacement for the Ralink, I'd just assume wash my hands of the whole issue.

 

I will go out on a limb and suggest that the problem is not the RALink card per se. This sounds more like a firewall issue and/or possibly a USB power issue.

First try turning off any software firewalls on both PCs. You might get a complaint from XP, but ignore it for now. Your router's firewall might be at issue, but I have my doubts. Turning off your router's firewall is very risky, although you can reduce the risk a bit (not completely) by physically unplugging from the Internet.

Next up, check out the power savings feature for the wireless card. The default setting is that XP is allowed to turn off this USB device to conserve power. Short file transfers won't be affected by this, but bigger transfers might be if the OS is testing to see if the device is idle or not. I've run into this type of problem writing big files to an external USB-based hard drive.

Finally, do you know if your wireless signal is both strong and consistent? Is there a possibility of another 2.4GHz device in the area causing intermittent interference. This could be another router, a cordless phone, a microwave oven, ... I don't know where you live. In my residential neighborhood I have seen an explosion of wireless routers. I was forced to upgrade my router with a better antenna to maintain a reliable connection between my router and a wireless network camera I use for security.

 

Yeah, wow...that situation is completely weird. It's crazy how it work for things like the internet, but you can't do file transfers.

To add to serenity's answer...I'd also suggest disabling "QOS" packet scheduler if it's enabled. To see if it's enabled go to your wireless card's properties under Network Connections (it's the dialog window where you will see things like "Client for Microsoft Windows" File and Printer Sharing and TCP/IP. If you also see QOS (Quality Of Service) here, simply uninstall it. From what I understand...it's some packet monitoring service that checks incoming/outgoing packets to make sure they are properly sent over the network, but it's really just extra added overhead IMHO.

 

Sorry for the delayed response, I've been out of the loop for a few days.

I haven't had a firewall (even xp's) installed or turned on ever since I started trying to debug this problem. I'm not sure what you mean by a USB power issue, because this isn't a USB adapter, it's the built-in PCI-Express mini card. Unless somehow that's a USB based thing that I'm not aware of. The only USB adapter I've used is a linksys external one that I've tried as an alternative to the Ralink and it's worked perfectly with no problems. I'd just use it except it's a pain to use an external adapter when there's an internal built-in one that should be able to work fine. And you mentioned the USB power thing potentially being an issue on long transfers - this problem occurs even on single < 1MB digital photo transfers that complete within seconds.

Yeah, I wondered about the router/connection, and if for some reason packets are getting lost due to interference. But I've tried a different wireless card, which works fine, and I've tried a different router with the same card, which still does NOT work fine, so it seems pretty narrowed down to the specific computer and/or card as far as I can tell.

I'll try this and see if it works. It IS currently installed, so I'll try removing it. FYI, I also appear to have "AEGIS protocol", "NWLink NETBIOS", and "NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBios Compatible Transport Protocol" installed. Seems like way back I may have added one because of a different wireless connection problem I was having, but I don't know if it's any of the ones that are currently installed or not. Should I try getting rid of any of those?

Scottyinco - if you're still listening - did you end up finding a replacement that did work for you?

 

popechild...as far as network services/protocols/etc...all you should need is client for MS networks, file & print sharing, and TCP/IP. Everything else can be uninstalled unless you have some specific networking requirements.

 

I uninstalled QoS, but then couldn't connect. I re-installed and can connect again...

 

Actually, I once made this same mistake and was corrected. The internal wireless card in the 2370 is a USB device, not a mini-PCI device [which is likely the biggest reason why you couldn't directly plug in another internal wireless card].

Go to the Device Manager and go into Properties for the wireless network adapter. Then look for Power Management. You will see an option (it should be checked) allowing Windows to turn the device off to save power.

With the additional information you provided, I don't think this will matter, but try deselecting this option.

Next, still in Device Manager, expand the USB Controllers section. You should see two Root Hubs. One handles the 3 external USB ports, although the driver says you have 6 ports. The other handles the wireless adapter, which you should see listed in the Advanced tab (the driver says you have 4 ports on this hub, but the only device is the wireless adapter).

So yes, your internal wireless card is a USB device. Look for the Power Management tab and again deselect Windows ability to turn the device off. And again, I don't think it will make a difference in your problem, but it's still worth trying.

Jim Johnson
Serenity Consulting

 

it is indeed a mini PCI Express Card, not usb.