Intel WiFi 5300 Problems - Can't Find Source

Hi,

I'm having problems detecting wireless signals with my computer. I will try to provide as much information as possible to see if you can spot any potential problems - you'll probably need more so just let me know!

System info:
1) Hardware/ OS: ThinkPad T400, Windows Vista 32 bit (see signature for full specs).
2) Network adapters: Intel Wireless WiFi Link 5300; Intel 82567LM Gigabit Network Connection; Ericsson F3507g Mobile Broadband Minicard Network Adapter (not activated)
3) Wireless Router: D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router
4) Antivirus Program: Symantec Endpoint Protection version 11

Description of Problem:
1) When wireless - my computer can sometimes detect wireless networks for a little while, and then suddenly it can no longer detect any network connections (including my own network and all the others within range that are normally detected)
2) This is a system- or adapter-specific problem because I'm able to connect wirelessly using a Dell Inspiron 1420 with Intel Pro/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection. Also, my wireless printer is working properly.
3) I have also tried connecting after disabling my firewall, and this doesn't generally help.
4) When I use wired internet connection (via docking station, in case that's relevant), I'm able to connect.

I suspect that this may be a problem with firewall, antivirus, or wireless configuration settings. In order to connect wirelessly at all, I usually have to turn off Symantec "Proactive Threat Protection" and "Network Threat Protection." I can't figure out what settings to change or check.

Can someone help me figure this out? Again, let me know what additional info is needed, thank you so much.

 

You can start by checking the latest available firmware for your wireless router and driver for your 5300. Upgrade if you find newer version. Let see what happen then.

 

Thanks so much! I found a newer driver version for the 5300 on the Lenovo web site. But I'm having problems installing it!

The Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software installation begins, then I get a message stating "The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable. Click OK to try again, or enter an alternate path to a folder containing the installation package 'Intel PROSet Wireless.msi' in the box below."

By default, the "Use source" is listed as "C:\Windows\Installer\_{852AFD2D-07CC-46FD-A159-671102782771}\". If I use the browse option and select "C:\DRIVERS\WIN\WLANINT\Vista\v32\Install" (which is where the msi file appears to be located) I get the same message.

However, when I hit cancel, I get "Error 1706.No valid source could be found for product INtel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software. The Windows installer cannot continue."

I was able to update other drivers successfully but this one isn't working. Any ideas? Thanks so much!

 

IMO, it's still preferable to use driver directly downloaded from Intel website although Intel itself suggests using manufacturer's driver.

 

Wow that was definitely easier. OK so now that I've successfully installed the latest network adapter drivers, I get a message stating "The system contains incompatible wireless WAN drivers. To access wireless WAN functionality please get latest drivers and install them on your system." But the latest drivers are already installed! Thoughts? Thanks so much.

 

Have you uninstalled previous Lenovo's driver?

Edit: You should also check whether previous version of Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Connection Utility or the equivalent Lenovo's version is installed or not. Then you can download & install the latest Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Connection Utility if you want to, although IMO this additional software is not very useful, 'cause Windows itself can adequately manage wireless connections.

 

Also if I go to the Intel web site and use the "Intel® Driver Update Utility" I get a message that says "Non-Intel device detected. Please contact the device manufacturer for possible updates."

The other network adapters on my system (in addition to the Intel 5300) are Ericsson F3507g Mobile Broadband Minicard Network Adapter (but I don't have a mobile plan activated so I don't use this) and Intel 82567LM Gigabit Network Connection.

 

Uh oh - no. Do I need to uninstall old drivers before I install new ones? I didn't know that...So in this case where might I find the old driver to uninstall it?

 

Maybe it's because you have Lenovo's version driver installed. Then I would suggest uninstall all the related driver & software before proceeding with the latest 'pure' Intel's version.

I also use WWAN (3.5G/HSPA) cards inside my Fujitsu LifeBook S6410G and Dell Studio 17. Although I'm not using Ericsson (I use Sierra Wireless mini PCI-e cards), I could say that the software (and of course drivers) should be separated.

But then I'm not exactly familiar with Lenovo's wireless WWAN and WLAN scheme. The hardware drivers are definitely installed on their own in Windows system, but in case of the software, Lenovo may create a combine utility although I still guess that they are controlled by different software. CMIIW.

Uninstall previous one is needed if you change from OEM driver to Intel driver. Go to Control Panel and choose "Uninstall a program" (or "Programs and Features" if you use Classic View). Try to find Lenovo's version wireless driver and software/connection utility.

 

First off, Aidil got you headed in the wrong direction - it doesn't make one bit of difference if in "his opinion" he thinks the Intel drivers are better. The plain fact is they're not, because they're OEM drivers - your Intel card is not an Intel OEM part, it's an IBM part, modified for use in your system and with your system configuration, along with the drivers. People like this are the reason people like you wind up bringing their systems to people like me to fix.

It's also the reason you're getting an Intel device not detected message - though the adapter came from Intel, it's a licensed and modified part sold to IBM for exclusive use in their systems. That's why it has its own IBM part # on it. If they were all the same, everyone could exchange them and use the same drivers - but they can't because they're NOT the same.

Go to the IBM Support site, and find the Support Page for your individual system configuration. Find the original drivers for your adapter, and use the latest IBM CERTIFIED DRIVERS for your system, and reinstall them. Uninstall the crap drivers he told you to put in.

Once you're back to baseline you can address the real problem.

First - go to the D-link site, and download the latest firmware update for your Router. If you're using a current version, download it anyway. Open your Router's Admin Panel, then find the update link for the firmware - run the install and flash the firmware. Whenever there is a signal, connection or speed problem with a Router, flashing the firmware is first step for most Router manufacturers.

Once done, setup your Router's Wireless Mode and other setting as I've indicated further below. With the adapter settings also, it should give you a good base setup to work from.

From what you've described, the problem is most likely an RFI interference issue within your local environment or low signal to begin with. Cordless phones, microwaves, electrical adapters, anything near your Router can cause RFI interference and cause signal drops. Even a phone call can drop a connection if the interference is bad enough and the Router and adapter aren't tuned to each other properly. But Router/Adapter setup is usually the problem. A single incorrect setting can cause a major signal and speed loss.

Your Router is like an FM Radio Broadcast Station, only it broadcasts radio in GHZ, not MHZ. Your adapter is like a Radio receiver you'd have in your home or car. To get the best reception, you need to be free of any interference, and make sure your adapter is setup(tuned) to the Router's broadcast frequency band and channel. Most people only bother with the Router and not the adapter. Do you get good reception on your radio if you don't tune it to the best station frequency?

Set your Wireless Mode to N only IF all of your adapters are Wireless N - if you have any that aren't, set it to Mixed.
Make sure your Transmit Power is set to Maximum.
Make sure you're using a unique SSID that you an identify your network with.
Make sure NAT and UPnP are Enabled.
Make sure your Router is set for Automatic Configuration / DHCP.
Set the Radio Band to Wide (40mhz) for Wireless N only, 20mhz for Mixed.
On the Standard Channel, set it to channel 11 - 2.462ghz. This will offset the frequency enough that if there's any interference from 2.4ghz devices you'll have a better chance of avoiding it.

On your 5300, open the Properties window from the Wireless Network window in Network/Sharing, or by right clicking on the adapter in the Device Manager and selecting it there. Once open, click on the Advanced Tab.

Make sure that if your Router is set to Wireless N only that N is Enabled on the 5300 settings. When it's Enabled, the other wireless standard settings (abg) don't matter..
Other Settings to note:

Roaming Aggressiveness - Highest
Mixed Mode - CTS to Self Enabled (if set to Mixed)
Transmit Power - Highest
Wireless Mode - 802.11 A/B/G (if set to Mixed)
Ad Hoc Channel 802.11 B/G - 11 (if set to Mixed)
Throughput Enhancement - Enabled

Set the other settings as necessary to match your Router settings.

Restart your system and check your connection. If you still have problems, then you need to start checking your environment. Remember that your Router antennas are directional also and can be adjusted. Most Router manufacturers also sell Hi-Gain antennas if your broadcast signal is low. Unplug each electronic device that could possibly cause interference one or two at a time, and check your connection. If you get a major change, you'll know which ones are the culprits and can narrow it down further. Any cordless phone base should be a few feet from the adapter and the Router - they're typically the worst offenders. I recently had a Support case where the user actually traced his problem to his neighbor's cordless phone - every time the thing rang his connection would drop.

You may also have a weak incoming signal to begin with, or you may have too many broadband devices connected to your network. If you have 2 or more cable boxes, it can cause a big drop in your overall signal. Signal is equal to Voltage - the more devices you have in the network, the more voltage drop (signal drop) there is on the network - basic electronics theory. If your signal is weak, you can install a Line Amplifier at the point where your cable enters your home, prior to the branch splitter. Get one that is AC powered - the ones that just use line voltage are useless. They run about 40 bucks, and you can usually get one at Radio Shack or online.

Keep in mind that metal objects, fluorescent lights, metal studs and other similar items can also cause signal interference.

Read these also to get a better understanding of how things affect Network Performance -

Understanding Throughput
System Resources
Whole Network Fragmentation

 

CyberVisions maybe right, I have forgotten the fact that Lenovo (and HP) use tweaked version of wireless adapters, including the ones from Intel, to reduce the possibility of their users doing self upgrade. It's known their products require wireless cards specifically design for them and cannot interchange with other brands' cards.

I'm not saying that Intel driver is better and I'm also not against OEM driver, but I also don't think that Intel driver is crap. There are many people like me who don't like to use manufacturer's own driver as they usually filled with bloatware which burden the system. So far I have no problem using Intel driver in all my laptops, but then... Hey, my systems are neither Lenovo nor HP.

reb.711, sorry if I have misled you this far. Now the professor is here, I'm sure your problem should be easily solved.

 

If he is such a professor, how come he doesn't know that the thinkpad is not made by IBM, which no longer owns Lenovo, and going to the IBM support site would be pointless?

*j/k--I make this mistake all the time still, too. Too me, Thinkpad-IBM.

That said, Lenovo's support is going right in the toilet when it comes to driver updates the last two years or so. I will always try the brand support route first, but failing that, the oem Intel driver route is not without merit.

Indeed, I ran across a very similar problem with a t61 last week and the Intel oem drivers solved it whereas the Lenovo drivers did not.