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IBM ThinkPad T41: Access Connection not Working with Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B

IBM Personal computing support - Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI adapter software for Windows 2000/XP - ThinkPad R40, R50/e/p, R51, T40/p, T41/p, T42/p, X31, X40

Problem: ThinkVantage Access Connection software on IBM ThinkPad T41 with Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI adapter cannot control turn wireless radio on and cannot detect any wireless network.

I formatted my brother’s ThinkPad T41 and used the ThinkVantage Software Installer to install all related drivers. To my surprise, after every driver was installed, ThinkVantage Access Connection could not control turn the wireless radio on nor can it detect any wireless network. However, if I check the “Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings” button in the Wireless Network Connection Properties, Windows XP's Wireless Zero Configuration itself was able to detect my home wireless network and could perfectly connect to it.

I consulted a friend who is very knowledgeable in ThinkPad and learned that there is a bug in the unattended installation module of the Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI adapter software from IBM. During the unattended installation, the installer “forgets” to install the Intel Sebring wireless API properly. If we go to

C:\DRIVERS\WIN\WLLANINT\APPS\API\SbrngApi.exe

and manually reinstall the Intel Sebring API software (by executing SbrngApi.exe), ThinkVantage Access Connection will work properly.

I tried that and my brother’s T41 Wi-Fi is now working properly with the Access Connection software.

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Comments

rymon said…
Hi. are you still active on this blog? I got my ibm x40 the same problem with atheros ar5001x+ wireless adapter. Do you think sbringapi.exe. will work with my wireless adapter?? thanks
9:36 PM
Dr. Thiti said…
Hi rymon, I am still active but haven't written much lately. I'm not sure this will work on your X40. I suggest you visit the official Lenovo website to download the latest driver first.
9:49 PM
rymon said…
Thiti,

Hi.. thanks for the time. I did install the sbringapi.exe same as yours, but unfortunately it didn't work. I also updated it and I tried lenovo call centers but their agents dont know about this. thanks anyway.. good pm
11:00 PM
Dr. Thiti said…
You're welcome, rymon. I hope you get it to work soon.

Also, since you are using an Atheros card rather than an Intel one, the sbringapi.exe might not work.
11:13 PM
Anonymous said…
thanks Thiti! i have had this problem with no where near any success of fixing it - from calling Lenovo, checking the internet about downloading patches, uninstalling and reinstalling - then i found your blog! i have a different model Thinkpad with a different kind of wireless adapter i had to search for but it was same concept. i am ecstatic that my problem is now fixed! you're a genius. thanks so much.
6:21 AM
rymon said…
jj,

hi. how did you do it? what is your adapter? i also have a thinkpad with atheros wireless adapter, but the procedure didnt work for me..

Thanks again for thiti for blogging about it, forum sites are almost empty on this particular topic.
10:01 AM
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