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    Intel 5300 not connecting to internet

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by cspyr0, Oct 22, 2008.

  1. cspyr0

    cspyr0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a T400 with intel 5300 agn wifi, but it's been having problems. Every once and a while it's not able to connect to the internet. According to Vista (x64 business) it connects to the local network but is unable to get internet access. When this happens I can restart/sleep and flip on/off the wifi switch with no change.

    I've looked at the ipconfig, and everything looks fine - everything is the same as when it IS working. I use many different networks (parents, university, home, etc.) and I've had this problem on all of them at some point, so I've ruled out problems with the network.

    I would think this was Vista's problem, but when I disable the 5300 and plug in my usb wifi card, everything works fine. So it appears to me that this is either a hardware or driver issue with the 5300. I am using the newest version, 12.0.0.82.

    Has anyone else had this problem, or something similar? I could talk to Lenovo about it, but I know it would be hellish for both me and the tech support to troubleshoot an intermittent problem.
     
    cspyr0, Oct 22, 2008
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  2. plancy

    plancy Notebook Evangelist

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    Are you connecting at home? if so do you have several devices connected to the internet?
     
    plancy, Oct 22, 2008
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  3. mikec

    mikec Notebook Evangelist

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    Lenovo drivers are bad.

    Use the ones from the Intel site. Problem goes away.
     
    mikec, Oct 22, 2008
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  4. cspyr0

    cspyr0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Plancy: Yes, in many locations I have been unsuccessful while someone else had no problems.

    mikec: Is that a general statement, or do you have personal experience with the 5300? Either way, it's worth a shot. I'll make sure and report back after a few days of using drivers from Intel's site.
     
    cspyr0, Oct 22, 2008
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  5. TinyRK

    TinyRK Notebook Evangelist

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    Do not use the Lenovo software. Disable it, reboot and try the Vista WiFi Center to connect to the network.
     
    TinyRK, Oct 22, 2008
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  6. cspyr0

    cspyr0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I use very little Lenovo software. I did a clean install and do not use their "access connections" program. So that is definitely not the problem. I was, however, using drivers for the wifi card from Lenovo's site.

    Intel has newer drivers for the 5300 (version 12.1.0.14), which I am trying out now. Why doesn't the Lenovo site update their drivers?
     
    cspyr0, Oct 22, 2008
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  7. mikec

    mikec Notebook Evangelist

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    Specific experience with 5300. Lenovo drivers were flakey, and the updated driver killed all wi-fi (card not recognized).

    Had to get driver from Intel site, and that one works perfect.
     
    mikec, Oct 22, 2008
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  8. AznRacerNSX

    AznRacerNSX Notebook Evangelist

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    I actually had no issues with Lenovo Access Connections.... I have a couple profiles in "Best Connection Mode" where it checks which connection's stronger (wifi or direct connect)....
     
    AznRacerNSX, Oct 22, 2008
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  9. cspyr0

    cspyr0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I started having the problem again unfortunately. This time I took a screenshot while it was broken, then disabled the 5300 via its switch and plugged in my external usb wifi and took another screenshot. Perhaps someone will see a clue that I don't.
     
    cspyr0, Oct 22, 2008
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  10. cspyr0

    cspyr0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Broken:
    [​IMG]

    Fixed:
    [​IMG]

    (I tried to make these display automatically instead of links, but the img tag didn't work)
     
    cspyr0, Oct 22, 2008
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  11. brutalturtle

    brutalturtle Notebook Consultant

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    can someone post the intel link for 5300? I couldn't really find it.

    edit - i found it. but what do you guys mean disable lenovo's version? how do i go about doing that?
     
    brutalturtle, Oct 23, 2008
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  12. mikec

    mikec Notebook Evangelist

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    mikec, Oct 23, 2008
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  13. rxblitzrx

    rxblitzrx Notebook Evangelist

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    Everyone has been mentioning BAD LENOVO DRIVERS. Does this apply to the XP operating system too?
     
    rxblitzrx, Oct 23, 2008
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  14. cspyr0

    cspyr0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm still having problems, regardless of the drivers I use. What can I expect if I call this in to Lenovo? Also, if they're willing to replace the wifi card, is that something I would have to send the laptop in for, or do they let capable customers replace pci cards?
     
    cspyr0, Oct 24, 2008
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  15. superduty

    superduty Notebook Consultant

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    I am having problems with my 5300 as well. Just got T400 yesterday. And this thing has been a joke with regards to keeping a connection with my router. Then at times it shows connected to the local, but not the internet. Very annoying.
     
    superduty, Nov 1, 2008
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  16. superduty

    superduty Notebook Consultant

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    Anyone know what this means? I have a Linksys router and wonder if this could be part of the problem....but I dont think I am using the proset wireless software.

    Linksys* Access Point Association Timeout
    After the association flow completes, the adapter stays awake (as in CAM mode) for 10 seconds, and then acts according to the PowerIndex (PI) regkey. PI should not be change during this period. The association timeout is 10 seconds. Using the Linksys access point, association occurs every 60 seconds, resulting in deauthentication and disconnection from the Linkysys access point.

    http://downloadmirror.intel.com/16618/eng/relnotes.htm
     
    superduty, Nov 1, 2008
    #16