Anybody with Atheros *N* wifi?

My new T60 came with Atheros a/b/g/n wi-fi card. I got yesterday a new Belkin N1 router (replacing my piece of short-reach crap Linksys), and that one should supports darft N standart. To my surprise, I'm only being connected to the routher at 54kbps (G) and not as expected N. I know Belkin uses their own MIMO technology which you can take advantage off by using their own network card, but it should still work at some kind of N rate higher than 54kbps. I checked with Belkin setup to have G/N enabled, still nothing. Have the latest firmware download for router and the latest drivers a/b/g/n installed for T60. Any other suggestions?

I also noticed the web browsing is kind of slow. With a clean installed XP and all the latest McAfee and Spyware Doctor, I'm only thinking it could be the network card. I tried it with Linksys router as well, and web browsing wasn't as smooth either. For example, takes a while to get to any Notebookreivew pages.

Anybody else experiencing problems with their ThinkPad's Atheros wifi card or trying to use it in N mode?

 

I have the n card. I have not used it with a n router yet. But normal b/g wireless seems to be working just fine, the way it came.

 

Yes actually. I am on it now (using an "n" router as well). It's works great for me. You might want to make sure it's connecting to your router using n technology. (There's a setting in the Access Connections Manager.)

 

What router do you use, N1? Access Connection Manager, I assume its one of the Lenovo utils? Gotta check, maybe its one of those that I didn't re-install back...

 

So, I have all the latest firmware for Belkin N1 and wireless card as well as the latest Access Connection version. But, I'm still not able to connect at "N" speed, only "G" 54mbps I called IBM/Lenovo tech support, and after 30 minutes on the phone, they informed me that a new Atheros a/b/g/n card does not support yet "N" rate and I have to wait for a new driver sometimes in the future.

@Mturco11x: what wireless router are you using? Where in Access Connection Manager did you see an option for "N"? When you go to Profile Setting, Wireless Mode selection gives you ONLY a choice of A/B/G, there is no N listed in there. IBM tech support told me its not there, Access Connection does not even support N, and they even suggested uninstalling Access Connection Manager and using XP wireless connection manager instead. I tried either way, but nothing gives me N connection or anything at a rate higher than 54 mbps. Can you or anybody else suggest anything?

 

I am using a Linksys router (model #: WRT300N). Here's the link.

When I first started using it, there was an option in Access Connections (in Profile settings) for which type of tech. you wanted to use. Now, however, I cannot find it... and I think it's because of a new Lenovo update.... maybe that's why you can't find it too...

Edit: Actually I just realized my T60 isn't connecting to my router using 'n'... it's using 'g' but I know it was working before the update. Looks like I'm in the same boat as you.

Sorry,
Matt

 

Matt, thanks for the reply!!! Apparently, Lenovo/IBM is waiting for an updated Atheros drivers. Until than, you can only use it at 'g' rate, and the 'n' option was taken out from Access Connection.

Its not a big deal, no cable modem will be able to pump internet connection at 300 mbps anyway (or the real 150 mbps rate). 'n' is mostly for streaming video/audio in your house from main computer/server to your laptop or similar. I just wanted to make sure that I made a right purchase with Belkin "N1" router and there is no problem with it. Atheros webpage actually confirms that "N1" uses the same chipset as our wireless mini pci lan card. Its always good know when drivers are available it will be compatible.

 

Do keep in mind that 802.11n is not yet standardized, so some routers will not work with some cards, although in your case they both use the Atheros chipset, so that's not likely the problem.

 

Thanks twister for the info! That's what I thought too, but it's a little weird that they had it at first and took it back later... maybe the found a flaw in the previous driver. Any idea on when this new driver might be available?

Wierdo is correct, 802.11n technology is not yet standard, however, the 'Pre-N' routers out there (Belkin, Linksys, etc) are compatible with 'Pre-N' cards. Although they call them 'Pre-N', I doubt they will change anything when they do make it standard.

Matt

 

I called Lenovo again today, asked about the driver availability - they have no idea. Their excuse, its "pre-N" so we can't offer a support on it until it becomes official in 2007 LOL!!! I even did search on Atheros website, they don't have any tech support and you have to talk to Lenovo about any updated drivers. So, we just have to wait and see. One thing a tech support guy mentioned to me is to update my BIOS to the recently released 2.07 version. Maybe its just a product of my imagination, but I feel like after that BIOS update the network connection is better now (I had a few dropouts before, and now its running solid).