Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Windows 10

[JHusb1]

This isn't a question, it's a solution that worked for me so I thought I would post it pre-emptively!

I have an old Acer Aspire (32-bit) laptop with an Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG adapter from 2008. Having just forced it to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10, I noticed straight away that the wireless was not working (maybe that's why I didn't ever see the Microsoft upgrade option).

I downloaded the https://downloadcenter.intel.com/downloads/eula/25140/Intel-PROSet-Wireless-Software-and-Drivers-for-IT-Admins?httpDown=http://downloadmirror.intel.com/25140/eng/Wireless_18.11.0_De132.zip Wireless_18.11.0_De132.zip from this page: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25140 https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25140 then ran the DPInst32.exe file inside the .zip. Nothing much seemed to happen, but on checking Device Manager, the system indicated that the driver is installed but "the device failed to start". I disabled the device, then enabled it - still nothing... getting bored I decided to reboot the machine and start looking for my USB adapter...

Anyway it rebooted, connected to my network and is running perfectly. Not bad for an old Vista machine. Maybe the driver was installed all along and all I needed to do was reboot the machine in the first place. I don't know, drivers aren't really my thing! I thought I'd post this just in case there are other people with similar antique machines lying around.

If it stops someone from getting as annoyed as me, then I've done a good thing

[jbenavides]

Hello Coolname,

Thank you for sharing this information, we are glad that you made it work, considering that the Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection is not officially supported by Microsoft Windows® 10.

http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/CS-035711.htm Intel® Wi-Fi Products — Which Intel® Wireless Adapters Work with Windows® 10?

[MEwan]

Hi, I have the same problem with my old Acer Aspire 5920g, which uses the Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG adapter. I upgraded it from Windows 7 to Windows 10, and now the wireless does not work.

I've tried the solution listed above, but it hasn't made a difference. I realise that this adapter is now unsupported, but I wondered if you had any advice as to how to fix this issue, maybe a replacement driver or something?

Cheers

[jbenavides]

Hello ewanmc,

Since the Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection is not supported by Microsoft Windows* 10, we would not expect it to work properly. Intel does not provide drivers for this configuration, and we are not aware of possible workarounds.

If Windows* is not able to locate a driver from Microsoft* using Windows* Updates, then we would advise you to check with the http://www.intel.com/support/oems.htm Computer Manufacturer Support to confirm if your system is meant to be used with Windows* 10.

[AK19]

Hello jonathan

I'd like to let you know that workaround with powershell script works for windows 10 as decribed here:

you are aware from now on...

[jbenavides]

Hello Edixide,

It is good to know that this is working for you. Just keep in mind that Intel does not have support for this adapter and OS combination, so we cannot guarantee that this will work in every scenario.

[mvand2]

Hello,

I have the same problem on an acer 5920. i know this adapter is not supported on windows 10.

Can you tell me which of the devices that works on windows 10 is compatible with my laptop?

[jbenavides]

Hello Markvdzon,

The manufacturer of your computer is the best source to determine which Intel® Wireless Adapters are supported in your PC. Please contact the http://www.intel.com/support/oems.htm Computer Manufacturer Support to obtain this information.

Once you have the list of adapters supported by your computer, you can check the following document to know if they are compatible with Windows 10*:

http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/CS-035711.htm Intel® Wi-Fi Products — Which Intel® Wireless Adapters Work With Windows® 10?

[RK9]

I have acer 5920G and I use the DriverPack Solution http://drp.su/ DriverPack Solution - Best Drivers installation Software.

Just install all proposed drivers, reboot the system. Everything works fine.

Win 10 Pro, 32bit

[JMora21]

No wifi after upgrading from Win 7 Ultimate to Win 10 and Device Manager displayed the following message in the Device Properties dialog box, on the General tab, in the Device Status text box: "This device cannot find enough free resources that it can use. If you want to use this device, you will need to disable one of the other devices on this system. (Code 12)".

The following actions rectified the problem and might be worth a try for other people. One thing it demonstrates is that the Intel legacy wifi driver (Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection) works in Win 10 although no longer supported by Intel or Microsoft. In my case it involved disabling PCMCIA drivers (I do not use the PCMCIA card reader but there could be other options not tested). It was tested and worked in a Fujitsu Tablet ST5112 with a Centrino processor, running Win 10 Pro, 32bit as follows:

1. Go to Device Manager

2. Select PCMCIA and DISABLE all drivers individually

3. Select Network Adapters and UNINSTALL: Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection

4. Reboot and Windows will automatically reinstall the Intel driver under the revised configuration and you should have wifi

[SHube1]

Hi all,

I probably found the solution for the Wireless disconnect after waking up from sleep mode with the Intel 3945ABG. I simply disabled the "Computer can disable the device to save energy" option. The option can be found in the Network Adapter configuration at configure - Energy saving options. As I have a German OS, the english terms might be different, but you will get the respective options by its meaning :-).

Good luck.

[AFara4]

Your solution works fine on my Lenovo R61. Thank`s.

[JOndr]

I had the same problem. I didn't except it but this solution worked: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/ce385ca6-ce8a-40bb-a6e3-cfa537c1b8cb/problem-with-the-network-adapter-intelr-prowireless-3945abg-network-connection?forum=WinPreview2014Setup Problem with the network adapter - Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection

In a short - uninstalling drivers of wireless adapter (and CIR - infrared sensor).

[GWate]

I found that disabling the PCMCIA Controller on my Fujitsu Lifebook N Series N6410 is what worked for me. I never use, nor have never used, the PCMCIA ports. I know this is an older thread but thought I would put it out there for people to see.

[UAdan]

Thank you very much Collname! Everything works fine.

Have a nice day!

[CIngr]

I'm sure that Intel will not mind me mentioning that the simplest solution to the Acer Aspire 5920 and Windows 10 wifi compatibility issue is to replace the Intel mini-PCIe adapter/card with the equivalent Broadcom card (the ethernet driver in this PC is already Broadcom). The equivalent wifi card is the BCM94311MCG at the dizzy cost of £4.00 from eBay. Very easy to fit (see YouTube) and installs perfectly and quickly DURING AND AFTER boot (so give it a chance) and assuming you have your ethernet cable fitted and working.

I spent hours and hours puzzling over this workaround only to wake up the next day feeling fresh with inspiration.

Works like a dream. Out of interest I also upgraded the RAM to 2 x 2GB PC2-5300 and the CPU to 2.4/3/800 Intel T8300 SLAYQ.

[Mx2]

For acer 5920G the Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG works perfecty on Windows 10 x32 without any extra installation

Just kill the CIR - infrared sensor from Device Manager

[swork]

your solution works for me!, Mikemths. ACER ASPIRE 5920 INTEL 3945ABG WIFI CHIPSET

After several times to install windows 10 and come back to windows 7, your solution works for me FINE! WIFK WORKS ON WINDOWS 10

VERY SIMPLE:

- install windows 10.

- Reboot.

-(wifi it´s not working) Remove CIR transceiver.

- Reboot.

- Now wifi it´s working FINE.

(no additional drivers installed)

thanks a lot!

[WBala]

Hi Mike,

I just wanted to thank you for your solution. After trying several other solutions that did not work, yours worked like a charm.

Another simple solution I was using was to just buy a tiny USB wireless dongle for 3 bucks from ebay, that did the trick too., but it's nice not to have any unnecessary peripherals hanging on the side.

Thank you again! That was brilliant!

[MTavi]

descargue este controlador, desinstale el de driverpack, puse el equipo en maxima energia y ya.

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/es/download/22116/Intel-PROSet-Wireless-Software-y-controladores-para-Windows-7-?product=50517 Descarga Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software y controladores para Windows 7 *

perfeccto.

[FMoti]

Ho risolto il problema disabilitando il CIR sensore infrarossi. ora funziona perfettamente.