Intel ProSet 2200BG problems

Many notebook computers and Tablet PCs are currently shipping with the Intel ProSet wireless chipset that is designed to work closely with the Pentium M and provide good power management features to help conserve battery life for these mobile devices.  The Intel ProSet 2200BG is the chipset that is currently shipping in many such devices and there are many users reporting problems making and maintaining wireless connections with this chipset.  I have used three different devices that contained the 2200BG and I have had a lot of problems maintaining connections to 802.11g networks.  The 2200BG supports both 802.11b & g networks and in my experience the 2200BG works fine with "b" networks but has a lot of problems working with "g" connections.  The problems I have experienced were so pronounced on all three computers that working with the faster "g" networks was impractical, as my device would drop the connection after just a few minutes.

The Intel 2200BG is the chipset in my HP tc1100 Tablet PC and I have experienced nothing but problems with it from day one.  I have two WiFi networks in my house, one a "g" and the other a "b" and I have been unable to use the faster one at all.  When I am running around the city and encounter a "g" network I am in trouble as I cannot work with it reliably.   Rob Bushway reported problems with the 2200BG in his Motion LE1600 and when he installed the latest drivers from Intel and set the Intel power management to maximum performance his problems were greatly curtailed and he is no longer complaining about it.  Unfortunately for me this solution didn't improve things at all on the tc1100 and I have been stuck until today.  I received a replacment W500 WLAN card from HP this morning that does not contain the Intel chipset and my problems with "g" networks was immediately corrected.  This W500 card supports a/b/g networks but since I only use b & g my only goal was to clear up the problems working with "g" networks.  I have been using it all day with my faster WiFi network and it has performed flawlessly, and the maximum range is greatly increased as well.  I do not know who makes this card for HP but I heartily recommend it to any tc1100 users experiencing WiFi connection difficulties.

Comments

[Kunal Kundaje]

Hmm, I've been using the 2200BG in my laptop for more than a year now and I haven't experienced the problem you're describing.

I did have some issues with it when using the PRO/Set software that Intel provides to manage wireless networks. I then uninstalled it and downloaded the standalone drivers from IBM's site and I just use XP's wireless configuration options now. Works flawlessly. Just thought I'd let you know. Did you try it without Intel's software?

[jk]

I have experienced the same problems on three different computers, including the HP Tablet I'm using now. When I started researching this I found several forums where a number of users are complaining about the exact same problems. Getting rid of the ProSet s/w doesn't make any difference to me. The difference is definitely the new h/w.

[Kevin C. Tofel]

Even if you don't have issues with your WiFi with this chipset, it might be worth a look to upgrade your drivers & software. My Toshiba M205 Tablet (purchased on 12/31/04) had drivers for the chipset dated 1/4/2004. The drivers were a full major and a few minor versions behind. I don't have a "g" network yet, but I decided to upgrade the drivers. The new software includes functionality I didn't have before, most notably: support for LEAP encryption, which is used extensively on Cisco-powered WiFi networks. I don't see any difference just yet in terms of performance, but at least I have new functionality.
BTW: Barb's new HP DV4170 has the same chipset, however it has fairly recent drivers and software. We'll see what happens when we get our "g" router in the near future.

[Jasun]

From the last post you made about this, I was able to get a good driver. It seems like there are many different hardware versions of Intels wireless board, and everytime they make a new rev of software, a previous hardware version fails.

In your last post, after following that link, and another link, to the actual form, a user posted a beta version from Intel which was not available on Intel's website yet. That version has worked great for me. It is about how it should work, enough so, that I will not upgrade to any later version. My problem is, the card is integrated inside the computer, and there is no other option to expand it (no PCMCIA slots.)

I found the best way to test this card is to transfer a large file (>100 MB) to another computer on the network. If the card is not working, the transmition speed will crawl.

[Kevin]

I have a M205 just like Kevin Tofel and was getting really poor reception (when I could get any at all) from my G network (my neighbors B came in fine though). I don't know why I never thought of upgrading my driver before, but after doing so today, my G reception has been fabulous! Thanks guys.

[michael parekh]

Great post JK...did you see any info in your research on the Thinkpad a/b/g cardbus option for the x41 tablet pc, vs. the standard intel 2200bg that it otherwise comes with?

thanks.

[Peter]

I have an LE1600 and I have the self-same problems with 802.11/g.

I have updated the drivers, installed the Intel software, uninstalled it etc etc. I have also tried switching the 'polling' off (most routers don't support it) so the card is always running at full power. None of this works properly.

This looks like one of those odd problems that will suddenly 'go away' when Intel finally discovers what is wrong.....

[stoic]

I've replaced the mini-pci wi-fi card in other notebooks in the past. What is a good replacement for the 2200BG? And does Intel OEM for other manufacturers cards?

[ronald]

I had same problems. PSP (power save polling) was the problem.

http://support.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/cs-006205.htm

[Server]

"power save polling was the problem..."

Bingo! Thanks!
This setting is buried deep, but just
goes to show what a little tweaking
and a KB search can do.

[Brian]

James, I've used that same chipset in my laptop for many months now and am able to connect to my network at work and at home at 54mbs without problems. I do know that there were some problems with ProSet and some Linksys routers though (that is supposed to be fixed by a firmware update to the router). I wonder if that would fix any of the problems people are experiencing.

[Tyler]

I don't know what problems people are having with these chipsets, but I have both a dell laptop and a toshiba laptop with the 2200 and both have excellent range and never drop a wireless connection. The only problem I have is with one of my client's Linksys. But I don't use linksys myself.

[Goran]

I have a Zyxel modem for ADSL2+ 24Mbit and a Dell Inspiron 6000. To be wireless I have tried router Netgear MR814v2, D-link DI-624+ and Dell Truemobile 2300. Only Dell Truemobile works without problem. Useing D-link and Netgear my Dell with ProWiresless bring them to drop the connection. Scanning the transmitting one could see a drop of signal-level nearly each 6 minute. Other laptop with not this chipset works good, but not when I start my laptop.

Goran

[Mandy]

I am having the same problem with my 2200 mini PCI that came with my Dell. I detect the network but cannot join. I have installed the latest Intel driver with no luck. I've tried switching to a lower channel, I've tried maxing the power in the card properties settings on power management (PSP). I've tried reseating the card, using either the windows or intel interface to declare the settings, ensured the router is not limiting the access slots, tried connecting insecurely and securely, no luck. I have been able to access a public access point. My next attempt will be to upgrade the linksys firmware. Maybe that will work. In either case, this is driving me crazy.

[Mandy]

Just tried updating router firmware. Didn't work.

[Dave]

I have the exact same problem, with Proset software I can see the network that my wireless Netgear MR814v2 sends out, but when I try to access the network it just says "unable to connect". My card however (intel pro/wireless 2200 bg) does pick up signals and connects successfully to routers however. Also, when I first bought the router it actually worked for about 5 minutes and then since I havent had any luck connecting... It is a really annoying problem.

[Mark]

We have Intel 2200BG Cards working with Cisco Access Points.We have B and G Ap's running leap.Until recently we have only had Cisco clients in our laptops and they have worked perfectly.Since the Intel clients came on to our network we have had nothing but problems,dropping connection and giving strange errors.I have upgraded the aps and upgraded the firmware on the Intel clients also.Anyone any ideas?

[Mandy]

Latest update: I tried replacing the Intel card with an MSI card, MP54G4. I still have the same problems. I spoke to Linksys tech support and they blame the card settings, weren't able to help. MSI tech support isn't around at this time. Some people have found a solution by taping two pins of the card over with scotch tape! http://www.techspot.com/vb/all/windows/t-18046-Toshiba-Satellite-1135S1552-WiFi-Networking-Problem.html

I tried that with no luck.

[Matthias Enderess]

Hi,

I think there is something wrong with the hardware and it seems that intel isn't interessted in fixing that or recall the product.

Please do the following:
If you have had problems with your adapter and you have spend many hours in trying to fix the problem.
Let intel know that you are not accepting malhardware like the 2200BG bunk.

Ive tested many drivers, wlan with and without WEP-Encryption, different channels and the CAM-Mode. Nothing of that worked. There must be something wrong with the drivers or the hardware.
I've written to intels tech-support. Im waiting tensely for a answer. ;)

Best regards!

[Mandy]

Ok, got my mini pci card to work. The MSI one. But it only worked once I changed authentication under advanced wireless settings from Shared Key to auto. Then I'll implement MAC filtering instead of using WEP.

Also the new MSI card only works when I implement the scotch tape fix on pins 11 and 13 from my previous post. Go figure. But hey it finally works. Good luck everyone!

[hayley]

i really need help i have an intel proset in the computer and its spose 2 give off at the most 100m of connection but i have 2 sit right near the box to even get rubbish connection i really need help please...... im really confused on wot im doin wrong or just not doin thanx for ur help
from a very confused and in need of help person lol

[Keith Greenfield]

Thanks for the posts. I have had big problems with proset 2200BG since taking delivery of a new laptop. I have solved them by ripping out the Intel Proset software , drivers and all. Windows then went searching for driver for the hardware and found an older version 8.0 and auto installed it. Bingo no more problems. I suggest regressing back to an older driver might help.

Keith

[Ron Arts]

I'd like to add my experiences. I have a noname notebook with this chipset. I run Linux and Windows. Both experience the same problems: packet loss, varying ping times. I think it is a firmware problem. Even the latest drivers do not solve it.
My AP is a USR8054, and I have to reboot it twice a day since I bought this notebook.

There are two ways of solving all my problems: setting the AP to 11Mbps (works the best), disabling power save features in the software.

On the disabling the features in the software: I have a button on my laptop to go into silent mode. If I use that, the problems are back.

I think everyone is right in thinking that PSP is the culprit here, we'll probably just have to wait until the manufacturers get their act together.

Ron

[Fernis]

I have a IBM T30 with 2200BG card, and my girlfriend has an Acer Aspire laptop with built-in Intel 2200 chipset. For a year we've fought with the connectivity - BOTH laptops have been practically unusable. The latest drivers have always been installed. I've tried Intel Proset software and the Windows's own - neither make Intel work properly.

Typically 2200 cards can maintain a fast connection for a few minutes to my 3Com OfficeConnect Wireless Access Point, and then I have to connect again. If the speed goes down, it never ever goes up. The same happens at my friend's place, with a different access point. And with both laptops.

My friend also has a house full of IBM laptops with different wireless pcmcia cards, with various chipsets - none of them Intel - and all of them work. Only my miniPCI 2200BG has major problems.

For a long time I blamed the wrong tree, thinking it was my 3Com Access point, but now I'm convinced it's the Intel.

-Fernis
Helsinki, Finland

[Pavel]

I have exactly the same probel with my new toshiba m45 laptop.