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General discussion

Toshiba Satellite mini-pci WI-FI

Jul 27, 2004 11:08PM PDT

Just installed a mini-pci wi-fi adapter card on my Toshiba Satellite 2445-s255. The laptop came "WI-FI ready" when I got it over a year ago. Installing the card and the drivers was the easiest thing. The problem I've encountered is that the hard switch on the left side of the computer does not seem to work. It has a LED light that activates the card and it just doesn't work. The computer recognizes the WI-FI card and all. Another thiong is that Toshiba tells you that this mini pci card "HAS" to be installed by re-sellers of their supplies. Or my conspiracy theory, can the switch be also somehow purposely "made" not to work by the factory so service centers install the WI-FI card? or Is that switch a phisical ON/OFF switch somewhat software controlled? because it just won't activate the WI-FI card. Thanks in advance.

Al

Discussion is locked

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Re: Toshiba Satellite mini-pci WI-FI
Jul 27, 2004 11:17PM PDT

You are probably right. The card must be some small list of makes and the OS installed from the restore CDs after the new hardware is in place.

Then you run Windows Update and it may work.

Bob

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Re: Toshiba Satellite mini-pci WI-FI
Jul 28, 2004 4:10AM PDT

There has been a recent issue with the F42 bios (6/8/04) for the Compaq X1000/HPZT3000 Pentium M (Centrino) notebooks wheras if the new bios is installed it will NOT work with a minipci card that did not come installed with the notebook. For this problem, people have had to back down to the F34 bios and they are fine with putting in a different brand of minipci wi-fi of their choice.

Supposedly, the FCC is cracking down on different frequency usage but also it could be the manufacturers keeping tight control over the wi-fi minipci card in their laptops.

You need to contact Toshiba and see if this is in fact the same issue. You may have to back down to a lower bios or if this is not available like on HP/Compaq you may be forced to upgrade to a minipci card that Toshiba notebook bios supports. This 'whitelist' of only approved minipci wi-fi cards that would work started with IBM notebooks as well.

Note: You will not have this issue using a pc card wi-fi that plugs in the side or a USB card but those use more power and also stick out so of course you want to get a 54G or better minipci wi-fi card that is integrated with your Toshiba.

You can read about the F42 bios incompatibility (with HP/Compaq) with aftermarket minipci wi-fi cards at x1000forums.com

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Re: Toshiba Satellite mini-pci WI-FI
Sep 8, 2004 2:26PM PDT

Hi, I have the same problem. I installed a non Toshy card. I can see a lot of signal strength from my access point but can't connect to the Internet or access the LAN. Can you see the signal strength of your wireless point? Does Windows say your card is working.

My system checks out but I think the IP addresses are wrong. I have not checked to see if the LED near the switch is lit, I didn't EVEN know it was there.
I will keep you posted.........I AM AT WORK AT THE MOMENT

Rob

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Re: Toshiba Satellite mini-pci WI-FI
Sep 8, 2004 8:30PM PDT

Just checked, NO the light is NOT on.
I am going to phone PC WORLD to see if I can get an answer.

Keep you posted...........Rob

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Re: Toshiba Satellite mini-pci WI-FI
Sep 14, 2004 10:38PM PDT

Anyone found what this is yet, I'm having the same issue on my Toshiba P20 S203 and an Intel 2200BG mini PCI. The card installs and is detected but there is no light so show wireless use and the switch does nothing!

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It's a support issue.
Sep 14, 2004 11:11PM PDT

What you are expecting is that Intel would make its drivers to support your laptop and that non-standard button or illuminator.

It's not going to happen.

To fix this, you would get the Toshiba supported parts and use their software.

That's how it works and I'm not going to debate it.

Bob

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Re: It's a support issue.
Sep 15, 2004 12:48AM PDT

Funny then that my work Toshiba has an Intel PRO/Wireless mini PCI and works just fine with the laptop, the switch works and the lights work, the only difference is it was pre-installed.

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It's a support issue.
Sep 15, 2004 12:58AM PDT

Yours was preinstalled! That's the big deal. Adding it later will cause the enduser to do backflips to figure out what they can do to avoid tossing the Restore CD into the drive and starting over.

Too bad Intel didn't customize the installer for you.

Bob