IBM

High Rate Wireless LAN Mini PCI firmware update - ThinkPad A30/p, A31/p, R3*, T23, X22, X23, X24
Applicable countries and regions
Attention:
This software can only be used with the machines on the supported list on this page. Use of this software with any other machine is strictly prohibited.

This package provides the wireless LAN firmware for the High rate wireless LAN Mini PCI combo card for Microsoft Windows 95 (OSR 2.x), Microsoft Windows 98SE, Microsoft Windows Me, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows XP.

Package version 1.04.02.01 supports Wireless installed models of the following ThinkPad systems:
- A30/p
- A31/p
- R30, R31
- R32 (2677-CGx, BNx, BQx;
2659-BNx, DNx, BQx, DQx, CGx, EGx;
2658-BNx, BQx, CGx, A7x, AEx, BFx, BGx, BHx, DAx, BRx, BXx;
2658-C2x, C4x, C5x, C8x, CBx, CDx, CJx, CLx, CYx, CQx, CTx, CXx)
- T23
- X22, X23, X24

Note: The driver is available in a separate package.
  File details
Version 1.04.02.01
Release Date 2003/05/19
File link   File size   File description
wirefirm.exe   1,082,673   Version 1.04.02.01 - High Rate Wireless LAN Mini PCI firmware update for A30/p, A31/p, T23, X22, X23, and X24
wirefirm.txt   10,457   README for version 1.04.02.01 - High Rate Wireless LAN Mini PCI firmware update
  Additional information
This Additional Information field contains the following
I. Summary of changes
II. Installation instructions
III. Enabling Extended Channel Mode
IV. Authorized Operation Within the United States and Canada
V. Determining which version is installed

I. Summary of changes
Package version 1.03.03.00 - Firmware version 1.03.03.00

(New) Microsoft Windows XP support for ThinkPad T23, A30, A30p, X22 systems

Package version 1.03.06.00 - Firmware version 1.03.06.00

  • (New) Support for ThinkPad X23, R30, R31, R32
  • (Fix) Update program does not work on Windows 98SE.
  • (Fix) ThinkPad R30 systems only, Wireless LAN communication may become disconnected or slowed down when audio is played.

Package version 1.03.06.01 - Firmware version 1.03.06.00

  • (New) Support for ThinkPad A31, A31p, X24
  • (Fix) Avoid from updating firmware on other wireless LAN cards
    NOTE: There is no firmware change from previous release. You do not need to update if you already update the firmware by using previous release 1.03.06.00 - 1AWE03WW.

Package version 1.04.02.00 - Firmware version 1.04.02.00

(Fix) Audio, Sound, or DVD stuttering occurred when Access point could not be found.

Package version 1.04.02.01 - Firmware version 1.04.02.00

(New) Added Support for Extended Channel Mode. This mode is not applicable to North America.


II. Installation instructions
Notes:
  • You need an AC adapter and a charged battery pack to update the firmware.
  • If your computer is attached to any kind of docking station or port replicator, turn off the computer and detach it before proceeding.
  • If you are upgrading the operating system on your computer to Windows XP, update this firmware after installing Windows XP and before installing the Microsoft Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP driver for high rate wireless LAN Mini PCI combo card.
  • If a USB Diskette Drive is attached to your computer, turn off the computer and detach it before proceeding.
  • Use package version 1.04.02.00 for ThinkPad R30, R31, and R32 systems.
  1. Print these instructions or display on another computer.
  2. Firmly connect the AC adapter to the computer.
  3. Start Windows 95/98/Me or start Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP and logon with administrative privileges on the target computer.
  4. Extract this package onto the hard disk drive.
  5. Click Start and then click Run.
  6. Specify the file name with the full path name where you extracted the package and then click OK.
  7. Follow the prompts on the screen to complete firmware update.
    Windows will shut down automatically and Intersil PRISM Flash Utility screen will appear.

    Attention: Do not turn off or suspend the computer until the update has been completed. If you turn off or suspend the computer while the update is still in progress, the wireless LAN card may have to be replaced.

    Initial update process starts. (It will take a few seconds to complete.)
    PDA update process starts. (It will take a few seconds to complete.)
    Primary update process starts. (It will take about one minute to complete.)
    Secondary update process starts. (It will take a few minutes to complete.)
    Verification process starts. If the firmware update is complete, the following message will be displayed.
    Verification Complete.
    Please remove the floppy and power off the PC.
    A:\>
  8. Turn off the computer.

III. Enabling Extended Channel Mode
The statement below regarding the extended channel mode is applicable when the system supports this function. To check the support of this function, please see the property of the installed wireless card by referring to the extended channel mode enablement instruction.
In countries other than the United States and Canada, you may be allowed to use extra IEEE 802.11b channels. If you cannot connect to an Access Point, contact your system administrator or check your Access Point to find out which channel is being used.
If the number of the channel is 12 or greater, enable Extended Channel Mode by the following procedure:
  1. Start Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Log on with a user ID authorized as an administrator.
  2. Right-click the My computer icon on the desktop and then select Properties.
  3. Click the Hardware tab and then click the Device Manager button.
  4. Select Network Adapter, find a wireless adapter device, right-click the device, and select Properties.
  5. Click the Advanced tab.
  6. Select Extended Channel Mode, and set the value to Enable.
    Note: This will be applied for systems with 802.11b wireless function supporting Extended Channel Mode.

IV. Authorized Operation Within the United States and Canada
The statement below regarding the extended channel mode is applicable when the system supports this function. To check the support of this function, please see the property of the installed wireless card by referring to the extended channel mode enablement instruction.
For systems with 802.11b wireless function supporting Extended Channel Mode, This device may only be used with Access Points, which are authorized for use within the geography in which they are being used. The use of this device with an Access Point that is not Wi-Fi compliant and not authorized to be used in your geography could result in violation of government regulations. Consult the network administrator, the instruction manual, or the approval label for the Access Point to determine the authorization of your Access Point in your specific country or geographic region.
Extended Channel Mode should only be selected when the device is operated outside the USA and Canada to avoid the unlikely possibility of unauthorized operation. The use of this device outside the United States and Canada in Extended Channel Mode may use frequencies not authorized for use in the United States and Canada. When used with an authorized Wireless Access Point that is Wi-Fi compliant or in Ad Hoc mode, this device will operate in its authorized modes in all geographies.

Please reconfigure selected frequencies when you travel from one country to another.

V. Determining which version is installed
  1. Start Windows.
  2. Install the driver for the High rate wireless LAN Mini PCI combo card, if not installed yet..
  3. Double-click the High rate wireless LAN Mini PCI combo card Configuration Utility icon in the system tray.
  4. Click the About tab. It displays the version of the firmware.
  Applicable countries and regions
Worldwide
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Document id:  MIGR-40236
Last modified:  2005-07-18
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