CF-18 / Intel 2200BG Problems

Hey all, The company that I work for has about 70 CF-18's. A large number of these were manafactured in December of 2004 and purchased shortly after (meaning: they are out of warranty)

In the past 2 months I have had 5 of these machines come to me becuase the internal wireless connection isn't working. All of these machines are using the mini-pci Intel 2200BG card. After installing the newest Intel Proset drivers, I get the error 'the radio is turned off' - when I attempt to enable the radio it tells me that I must use the hardware switch to enable radio. Unfortunately, the CF-18 doesn't have a hardware switch to enable wi-fi. The card is enabled in BIOS. I was able to send 2 of the machines back to Panasonic and have them repaired under warranty (after a little sweet talking with the Panasonic rep) but have been told that the 3 that I got in this week for the same problem cannot be pushed through warranty repair.

Panasonic want $280 per card and offer a 30 day warranty (nice of them huh?). I have found a place that has them for $50 with a 1 year warranty and have ordered some but I have to ask...

Has anybody else had problems with the 2200BG after the warranty has expired? Any help or advice that you have?


I appreciate it.

David

 

Mmmmhmmm... I have a similar card in one of my HP machines - it doesn't really have the greatest reach, but it's quite dependable. If I were going to replace the wireless card, I'd look into one with an Atheros chipset - they really do work MUCH better - they maintain higher connection speeds overall, and they maintain higher connection speeds at lower signal strength levels than the Intel cards.

We've had a good discussion of the models here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=187429

Hope this helps,

mnem
*Atheros - more bars, in more places... PLUS - they're all bars you'd WANT to drink at.

 

hi, download the proset driver from panasonic per your model #, that should make it work properly pending it is a good card. these cards sell new on ebay for cheap. check card part # to get the right one as there are several coined as "2200bg" cards most likely this one http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Intel-PRO-Wireless-2200-802-11bg-W54g-B-G-Mini-PCI_W0QQitemZ120256432006QQihZ002QQcategoryZ101281QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem hope this helps

 

I have had a lot of problems with the Intel 2200bg cards losing signal and needing to be restarted. I agree with Mnementh, the atheros cards use a newer, better technology.
You can get the Engenius/Senao EMP-8602+S card for $65-75 and that's a 600mw card, 5-10 times as powerful as the 60-100mw 2200bg card. Plus you get the latest technology and a one year warranty, if purchased through an authorized dealer.
I put the 8602+s in every Toughbook I build. They rock, I get 100% signals in places the other cards couldn't even see an access point!

 

I personally use a CF-18 at work with that wireless card, and I manage a couple of dozen CF-29s with these cards in them. I know one issue we've had before is when the Intel card's software is controlling the card (in an XP environment). When I switch the card over to Windows control, it works fine. Something to investigate, at least.

 

Hmmmm... Another eBay seller?


I agree on the Atheros based cards... I use the 8602+S cards too... But they can be had for a lot lower than the $65 - $70 quoted... You just need to shop around...

 

Wow, thanks for the tip Toughbook! Any hints? Maybe a pm? Yes I do sell on ebay, but I doubt I could ever be competition for you, lol!