New X220 WiFi problem! [ Edited ]

[danska]

Hi everyone,

Just purchased a new x220, with what I think is a great build config. I've used a T42 for the last 4 years or so after having some bad run ins with Powerbooks. Mine came with the Intel Centrino N 1000 wireless card. Had I known better, I would have opted for the 6205.

The problem I am having is that whenever I get about 15 feet away from my wireless router, I lose all data transfer. My T42 and my HP Tower (and my iPhone) can connect in the exact same distances with ease and still have plenty of bandwidth. The T42 for example won't stream HD video from netflix, but it will stream SD video. The HP tower being in my room, which is the furthest point away from the router and up a level, gives me a -6x to lower 70's via inSSIDer 2.0.

If I travel more than 15 feet or so from a router, I still see the network being within range and the RSSI goes to about -60. The other two computers and my phone still are a breeze browsing the web at this distance, but the x220 just acts strange. Sometimes I will get very slow data transfer, most of the time I'll see that I have a good signal to the network but it has the ! yellow icon indicating that I have no internet access.

I tried this at my parent's house today with the exact same results. When I was on the other side of the wall the connection was great. I go down the hall and its gone (but still visible). I have used the recommended settings by everyone for power management, reset everything, installed new drivers, and read through as much as I could and cannot find a solution.

I realize my wireless router might need a bit of a boost, but as I said I can stream HD video with my HP tower upstairs, and can even stream SD video with the T42. I feel like either something is wrong with this wireless card or that I just took a major step back in the wifi department which makes no sense to me. My hope is that there is a solution without buying anything else, but if I need to upgrade to the 6205 card that would be the easiest thing for me to do.

Thanks in advance!

[HiVolt]

Sorry to hear that... After my X120e experiment, in which I didn't know what the cheapest 1x1 card was, I didn't make the same mistake with the X220. Got the Intel 6205 card and It's worked great.

Good range & speeds on my Asus RT-N16 router thruout the house and even the backyard.

[danska]

So do you think that what I'm experiencing is "normal" for this kind of card? I really expect more from a $1100 machine, being in that my iPhone can pull a better signal.

I've seen the 6205 for Lenovo on eBay, is the process a pretty simple one for swaping cards if I need to do that? I'm assuming opening the machine voids the warranty? I'm fairly skilled with electronics but this laptop is for work and I need it to last me!

[HiVolt]

I didn't say it was normal, perhaps I should have worded it differently...

I would call Lenovo maybe they can offer you an upgrade on the card.

[billbolton Community Moderator]

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danska wrote:

I really expect more from a $1100 machine,

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You didn't pay $1100 just for a WiFi card... for a few dollars more you could have configured a higher performance WiFi card at the time of ordering!  

[HiVolt]

To be fair to the OP and choice of WiFi cards, not everyone buys them from Lenovo directly and is able to custom order. A lot of pre-configured machines are sold thru other vendors.

But just like myself with the X120e and the 1x1 card, I was disappointed with the low end option. The problem on the ordering website was that there was absolutely no description or differences between 1x1 and 2x2 adapters, and at the time I didn't know what it meant. I figured it would be satisfactory, since my 5 year old Apple Macbook with Wireless-G worked just fine and had good range.

[danska]

Mine was pre-configured so I didn't have the option, but my main concern was getting some of the other features (i7, IPS, web cam).

My prior comment was meant to say that having moved from a cheap (when I bought it) and slow T42, to a brand new fancy machine I expected a bit more. Overall I'm thoroughly impressed with the laptop, but the wifi service is not acceptable.

It is interesting to watch what happens with the wifi data when near the brink of its coverage area, it dips up and down constantly. If its in close range it does not do this.

[HiVolt]

Maybe one of the antenna connectors is loose or popped off. You'd have to remove the palm rest to check. I have seen it happen before on two laptops.

[six3one]

Hi Danska,

I had the same problem with my X220, it had the 6205 installed from Lenovo direct.

I logged a call with support to report an intermittent fault and requested the card be replaced.

Lenovo support was great and the card was replaced by a tech the next day.

I have not had any problems with the new 6205 since.

One thing you could try before calling tech support is changing the broadcast channel on your router.

This worked for my X200 when I was having similar issues to what you described.

I'm guessing your router is configured for the USA, so your spectrum is 01-11.

If your channel is set to 1 or 6, try 11. Likewise if it is 11, try 1 or 6.

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels

[HiVolt]

Also in your router wireless options, you migh have a "Channel Width" option, 20 or 40mhz. 40mhz produces better results.