Just got my CF-29 but WiFi isn't working right

Hi,
First post here. Bought a CF-29 (lease return) and just got it today. Can't get the WiFi to work correctly. It will find or see connections but when you try to connect to any of them it says "limited or no connectivity" and can't get online. Called the number in the package it came with and they said send the computer back for replacement or refund. Don't really want to wait again for another one and was hoping to fix this one.
Tried updating drivers and it still isn't working. Tried right click>repair and that didn't work.
Swapped hard drives out of a known good CF-29 and it works fine so we think it's a software issue.
Any ideas?

 

It's the drivers all right. In control panel does the card show up ? Makes me wonder if you have the proper drivers installed or if the last owner changed the card . Try uninstall the drivers and go to panasonic and download the drivers for your model and try that. My MK1/3 had the intel 2100 and my MK5 had a intel 2200 card.

 

if the driver are correct, u should check ur router encryption type and dhcp-settings and the ip-configuration of ur card. And delete all stored ssid in the wlan settings.

 

A 'limited or no connectivity' message seems to me to mean that there might be a problem with the internal antenna pigtail perhaps being disconnected.

I don't know where the wi-fi hardware lives in a CF-29 (in mine, I've removed the sled with the Sierra EV-DO card and the wi-fi still works) since it isn't in the removable sled on the left side of the machine above the battery slot.

Craig.

 

The WLan card is under the bottom cabinet, remove 12 smaller screws (along the outside of the cabinet, and the 4 for the DIMM cover), then there are 8 Bigger screws, one is hidden under the DIMM cover so you will need to pop the cover off.

If you have any external memory module installed, you will also need to remove that and disconnect the speaker, then once you get all those screws out, pull the battery and hard drive doors open and reach into each bay, then push on the cabinet. Some times it takes ALOT of force to open it.

Then as you are looking at the Motherboard, the WLAN card is on the bottom right (looking at it with the dock/serial ports toward you), There should be 2 antenna cables going to it, a white and black.

 

...But he said, he see connections....so the hardware should be okay

 

TBTech29 (as usual) points the exact way to find your card. But your card is working fine. That said.... the Intel cards that came with the early CF-29s were crappy cards... If you have a 1.2 GHz you have the 2100B card, if you have the 1.3GHz you'll have the Intel 2200BG card and if you have the 1.4GHz or 1.6GHz you'll have the 2200ABG card. You should go to the Intel website and download the most current driver. I think the release date was 12/15/09. Depending on where your XP Pro OS is updated to... There were known issues with XP Update causing some problems with the Intel program... Though this usually caused a BSOD error.... I would still update the driver.

 

Helping toolhorder with this at work, it is an EX SBC 29-HTM,
the card can see and connect to the router but cannot get an IP, all settings set for auto ip, updated drivers, no change, put in harddrive caddy from my CF29, it works fine, used restore discs (proper ones) no good, updated drivers, no change, reinstalled windows (copy that came with machine) installed latest drivers, no good, sending it back for warranty replacement,
It is also another one with the aftermarket CD caddy.....

 

Which program are you using to connect? Forget using the Intel program as it sucks badly, if you must install the drivers again, install ONLY the drivers, not the entire Intel program. Go into Admin svcs and make sure that the WLAN Auto Config is set to automatic and is enabled. Once you do that try again and make sure you are entering the wifi encryption password correctly. I have been through this too many times and it sounds just like the encryption settings are off. What type of encryption are you using? If not WPA2, you need to change it. Anything else is a joke for a basic hacker. Reinstalling Windoze is not necessary and if the card is a 2200 you are fine for the moment, but you should get a newer card, an Engenous would be the best.

 

We tried the intel program and windows, we have no security on the router, as it is still under warranty he is going to let the company that supplies them to tiger direct deal with it, they offered to replace or refund,