Intel PRO Wireless 2200BG Users - Please Read

First, I am the first to admit that support forums tend to have a higher than average number of problems; people whose systems work, don't seek out help for them. That being said, I've gotten the impression that an even higher number of users are having trouble with the Intel PRO Wireless 2200BG adapater. So, I personally would like to get an idea of who here has had problems and who here has not had problems. In the meantime keep the pointless conversation down and the troubleshooting up.

So, I am gonna give my information, and quickly what I have tried. I am going to try and keep the information as easily understandable as possible. If anyone else has had problems with their 2200BG I would ask you try to use a similar format as the one I am using here. Any ways, here goes.

System Information:
Model: Inspiron 8600
BIOS Rev.: A11
WLAN Driver Rev.: A08 (Intel v.9.0.0.61)
OS: Windows XP SP2 (Clean install)

WLAN Information
Router: Linksys WRT54G v2
Firmware: Alchemy 6.0 RC5a (3rd Party Firmware based on Linksys 3.01.3)
Channel: 11
Security: None (cause if you get close enough to my house to connect... you will be arrested by military police!!!)
MAC Filtering: No

Other Wireless Devices
Device 1: Linksys WGA54G (Firmware 1.1) connecting XBox
Device 1 Problems?: None
Device 2: Dell Truemobile 1300 mPCI
Device 2 Problems: None

Other relavant information:
- Have used Dell Truemobile 1300 mPCI with this network with no issues
- Have tried going back to Linksys Firmware 3.01.3, did not work
- XBox stays connected when Laptop drops the connection
- Signal strength reported as Excellent before connection being dropped
- Wireless network CANNOT be seen once connection dropped; adapater must be disabled / re-enabled
- Linksys HGA7T High Gain Antenna used on router
- Problems began occuring IMMEDIATELY after installation
- Previous WLAN card (TM1300) and Router have worked for over a year without issues

Symptoms
- Frequently dropping connection to the WLAN; once dropped, no wireless network can be found
- Dropped connections are random; was able to download a 266MB file without trouble. At other times, casual web browsing is interuppted by drppped connection.
- Occasional speed slow-downs before dropped connection; dropping from 54Mbps to 1Mbps
- Longer than normal time for DHCP IP acquition (takes FAR to long to get an IP); I am talking several MINUTES here

Steps Taken to fix problem (without resolve):
- Format, fresh install of Windows XP SP2
- Disabled WZC (Wireless Zero Configuration, a.k.a "Microsoft Client"); using Intel software only for configuration
- Disabled Adapter Power Management
- Uninstalled / Disabled Intel PRO/Set Software Suite (using WZC for configuration)
- Different Channels
- Different SSIDs
- Different Router Firmware
- Factory Defaults on Linksys Firmware
- Increased router transmission power (via 3rd party firmware)
- Reseating the WLAN card in the mPCI slot
- Router Assigned Static IP (aka Static DHCP)
- Manually Assigned Static IP (configured via Windows)

Current Status:
- Spoken with Dell Support, have a Dell Dispatch Number to get the card replaced

So, that is where I stand.

Message Edited by cademetz on 01-06-2005 09:24 PM