Why won't my X32 connect to a wireless network?

MikeTz28 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 19, 2012 6:29 pm

I just bought it a month ago and was working fine on an unsecured network but I just moved in with a roommate and she has a secured network with WAP. I figured I could just type in her network key and bam, I'm on her network. Am I gonna have to buy a USB or network card to get this thing online? Thank you for any help, been very frustrating.

Neil · **Posted:** Mon Mar 19, 2012 6:50 pm

Hey, welcome to the forum!

I don't have an answer to your question, but I do have some questions that might lead to an answer:

Which wireless network card does your X32 have?
Are you able to scan for wireless networks?
Does your roommates network show up as an available network?

MikeTz28 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:02 pm

OK, bare with me if I say anything dumb. It's an Intel(R) Pro/Wireless 2915ABG, yes I am able to scan for wireless networks, and yes my roommates network is right there. When I try to connect to it, it try's to connect, stops, try's to connect, stops, over and over but never connects. I've never seen this ever. I've owned like 20 laptops, so I'm just lost. This is even my 3rd thinkpad, just first X32

MikeTz28 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 19, 2012 9:26 pm

Really? Anyone know what I can do? If I just buy a usb or network adapter will I be fine and not use the internal wireless?

Neil · **Posted:** Mon Mar 19, 2012 9:34 pm

Well, I can't say with any certainty, because even though I have some ThinkPads with the same adapter, I almost always use it on open networks. I have read to some have better connectivity using Intel drivers instead of the Lenovo/IBM drivers or standard Windows drivers. Don't which driver you are currently using, but that might be something to try and see if it makes the difference.

MikeTz28 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 19, 2012 9:42 pm

Thank you, I can't even get online to download any drivers. Even just hooking it up to the modem doesn't work. I have no clue why the mobile connection to the modem won't even let me connect. Can anyone tell me if I just buy a netgear or linksys adapter can I get online without using windows to configure?

Neil · **Posted:** Mon Mar 19, 2012 9:49 pm

Looks like you've got some driver issues. Have you checked device manageer? Can you download drivers on another computer and put 'em on a flash drive?

MikeTz28 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 19, 2012 9:52 pm

Yeah, Device manager says driver is updated. I was in a hotel just yesterday and connected fine. Seriously if I need to buy an adaper I will but I need to know if that's what I need to do. I love this laptop and don't wanna get rid of it cuz of this

Neil · **Posted:** Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:05 pm

Do I understand correctly that you can't even get on-line by plugging in an ethernet cable? That is what made me think you were missing the ethernet driver, not the Intel wireless driver. BTW, what driver are you using on the wireless?

If you want to buy a USB adapter, that is fine, but I don't think it's necessary. Why not just stick with what you have until you get it sorted? You know the hardware works, at least on open networks. Encryption issues could well be driver related.

MikeTz28 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:15 pm

Yeah I can't get online using an ethernet cable. I know the internet wireless works so I don't know what to do. I suppose I will just have to suffer for a while. Man, this really sucks

RealBlackStuff · **Posted:** Tue Mar 20, 2012 6:41 am

Go into the BIOS and see if ethernet is perhaps disabled there?
Also, the 2915abg wifi card is one of Intel's worst!
Get one of these p/n 39T0071 [same as 91P7301] Atheros-based Philips cards: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Philips-IBM-Thi ... 0703683596
Drivers here: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloa ... D=DS002379

MikeTz28 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:14 am

I'll check the bios when I get home from work but I wouldn't know how to install the intel wireless so wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy a good usb adapter or card?

MikeTz28 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 20, 2012 5:14 pm

I looked in the bios and the wireless is enabled. I can connect fine to an unsecured network. Seriously, if I just buy a usb adapter like Netgear or Linksys, etc. will I be ok. Does this sound like having the crappy Intel card is just not gonna work?

Neil · **Posted:** Tue Mar 20, 2012 5:52 pm

Sure...a USB adapter should work. You will, of course, have to install drivers for the USB adapter too, but do you really want a cumbersome dongle sticking out of your X32? I would think a PCI adapter like RBS linked above would be the ideal solution. And probably less money than most USB adapters.

MikeTz28 wrote:

Does this sound like having the crappy Intel card is just not gonna work?

If you have already installed the latest drivers from Intel instead of whatever was previously installed, and you are sure you are entering the encryption key correctly, then, yes I would have to say the 2915ABG card is not going to work.

MikeTz28 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 20, 2012 6:15 pm

Well I'd much rather get a cardbus adapter than a usb adapter. But Thanks sooooo much for the help. Looks like I'll get one of the 3. The cardbus, won't be annoying if I go that route.

Why won't my X32 connect to a wireless network?

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