IBM ThinkPad A31 and PCMCIA Wireless

RPM_Computing · May 5, 2005

Hello,

I am experiencing an issue with my thinkpad a31 when I plug in any PCMCIA wireless network adapter, it is not detected. Other PCMCIA cards work fine. I know there is an internal mini pci wireless card available but I do not have the budget to purchase one at this time. Is this a known issue with IBM or is there a work around or patch or hack available?

Thanks in advance.

RPM

Kendan · May 5, 2005

What OS?

RPM_Computing · May 6, 2005

win XP Pro

Kendan · May 6, 2005

It should work. Try to reinstall the driver for the card.

RPM_Computing · May 6, 2005

Did that and got the same results. I am going to update to SP1 and see if that helps.

I find it very unusual that any other PCMCIA cards are detected but not wireless.

RPM_Computing · May 7, 2005

BUMP

I tested with an identical card and have the same issue as well as upgraded to win XP SP2.

The wireless NIC I am using is a GigaFast 802.11b

Anyone have any sugestions?

elfiena · May 9, 2005

yes, right click my computer, goto manage, goto services and applications -> services then turn on wireless zero configuration service.

RPM_Computing · May 9, 2005

elfiena said:
yes, right click my computer, goto manage, goto services and applications -> services then turn on wireless zero configuration service.

Just tried those steps and have the same issue. Tried with the service off as well.

Also reinstalled the driver.

Is there a chance it is not working because the laptop is IBM (proprietary)?

Kendan · May 9, 2005

RPM_Computing said:
Is there a chance it is not working because the laptop is IBM (proprietary)?

No

Try removing it from device manager. then reboot then put is card and see if Windows sees it and installs it on its own.

RPM_Computing · May 9, 2005

Kendan said:
No

Try removing it from device manager. then reboot then put is card and see if Windows sees it and installs it on its own.

The card is not detected at all. I can not see it in device manager. Not even as an unknown device. When I plug the card in the PCMCIA slot nothing happens at all.

When I plug in any other PCMCIA card they detect withought any problems.

This is very frustrating as everything else works fine.

tai

RPM_Computing · May 11, 2005

In my search for an answer I have tested several PCMCIA wireless cards. 802.11b and g series have been tested with no success for having the card to be detected.

I removed my HD and put in a temp hd and loaded win ME on it. Still no success but now the card is powering up in the win ME environment.

Again I have been able to successfully detect all other PCMCIA cards with this IBM TP A31.

Anyone have any additional info to assist?

RPM_Computing · May 14, 2005

Bump!

RPM_Computing · May 16, 2005

I am making some progress with win XP Pro. I plugged in a PCMCIA card in the lower slot and plugged in the wireless in the top slot and the wireless card is detected as "mtd-0002" This appears to be a problem for several people using Compaq Laptops with a Phoenix Bios where there is a workaround to disable the Sound Blaster feature.

Unfortunately I do not have the option to disable Sound Blaster in my ThinkPad a31 BIOS

I found this at Microsoft:

Certain R2 PC Cards Are Incorrectly Enumerated as Memory Cards

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;319326

The fix is to update to SP 2 which is suppose to be the fix, but no go there.

RPM_Computing · May 16, 2005

I think I may regress the OS to win 98 for testing purposes and post my findings.

Thankful I do not depend on wireless for this unit!

RPM_Computing · May 16, 2005

Before loading win 98 on I just tested with win2k pro and have the same issue.

I will perform updates as recomended by microsoft and see if that helps.

RPM_Computing · May 17, 2005

Updated 2KPro to SP4 and same issue.

I am currently loading on 98se

RPM_Computing · May 17, 2005

Same issue with win 98.

I'll post if/when I find a solution unless someone else here helps me find one first.

RPM_Computing · May 17, 2005

appears to be a hardware issue.

I put the wireless adapter in the upper pcmcia slot and pulled up on the antena with careful force and windows detected the card as Ethernet Adapter. I was able to install the drivers and obtain a wireless connection withought any issue.

I took apart the A31 unit and there appears to be some cracked plastic on the pcmcia card slots. eBay has one for $10.00

I bought the A31 second hand knowing it would need some work but I have never seen a laptop able to detect ALL PCMCIA cards except wireless.

Strange and frustrating but I am hopeful that a new component will resolve this issue.

IBM ThinkPad A31 and PCMCIA Wireless

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