Wireless turns on and off in Vista

Question

I've had a problem with my wireless network connection ever since I purchased my beautiful X61 - it sometimes disconnects only to immediately connect again. Some days it works fine, but some days it goes on and off over and over again. The problem is sometimes even worse: I will have to open the Wireless Connection Status dialog box (double-click on the connection bars icon in the task bar) and turn off radio and then turn on.
As far as I can tell, there seems to be two distinct problems with the thinkpad wireless:
1) the connection is for some reason lost and then connected again (or I will have to manually re-connect through the TinkVantage Access Connections software)
2) the radio antenna is somehow jammed (freezes) and doesn't pick up any signal and doesn't respond at all. It then needs to be restarted (turn off followed by turn on)
The first thing I did after unpacking the computer was to shut off that terrible "let Windows decide" when to turn off the network cards. So it is not an energy-saving thing - I'm not even using the battery at most times and my energy plan is maximized for performance (and energy use...).
I was hoping there would be updates to solve this problem, since it is quite annoying when e.g. on Skype or connected to my workplace via VPN (but the problem has nothing to do with Skype or VPN - I have identified no pattern in these disconnections). But since I purchased my computer in August I have downloaded and installed a great many ThinkVantage updates - but the problem persists.
Does anyone have a clue as to what the problem could be? Do you experience the same thing? Any solutions? Does Lenovo know?
Thanks!
FYI: I'm on an X61 7675-CTO with 2 GHz Intel Duo Core CPU, 2 GB RAM, 1 GB Intel turbo and Windows Vista SP 1.
Per Bylund

Answer 1

I was surprised to learn that Lenovo has no support for new computers unless you buy support incidents, but in any case I bullied them into helping me. I told them both X61's that I bought would be returned as defective unless we could get the wireless to work. I found that Access Connections was causing some of the problem. I have been working on one of the computers. I disabled Access .... it has no options to really keep it out of the picture except to remove it, but I found I could configure it not to work with my wireless connections. I downloaded all the latest drivers as listed on the Lenovo support pages. The X61 I have been working on has been connected all day now on several different networks with no more dropping connections. I don't think it has anything to do with Vista, even though I am using XP. The Lenovo technical people were really not too helpful except they thought Access was a problem for home use and told me to download all the latest drivers.
I love my X61. 2.7 pounds to replace an 8 pound Toshiba A75 .... even though the Toshiba remains more powerful than the Intel DuoCore 2.4 GHz in the X61 with its P4/3.1 GHz. But I no longer am carrying a boat anchor on my shoulder when I'm traveling. The Toshiba's power supply weighs at least 2X the X61's also. However, just like IBM laptops in the past, unless one is lucky with a configuration, I don't think the Lenovo is ready for the homemarket. Too much tinkering. My Toshiba never failed to connect no matter where I was, and I never had to hunt updates as they provided updates without intervention. The X61 using ThinkAdvantage did not update the wireless drivers. But my Toshiba had an overheating problem which Toshiba settled on a class action suit in 2006 but didn't tell registered users about it (can be solved by vacuuming fans and heat sinks from the outside but complete disassembly is required to really clean), and also have LCD display problems which they have not acknowledged. I trust Lenovo to honor their warranty, and they evolve from IBM's past designs.