Hi: I have a thinkpad t43p with an ipw2200 in it (a 2915ABG Network
Connection (rev 05), to be precise). From time to time, the firmware
flakes out, and I get messages like this:

Jul 14 03:42:25 neko kernel: 
ipw2200: Failed to send SCAN_ABORT: Command timed out.
Jul 14 03:42:26 neko kernel: 
ipw2200: Failed to send CARD_DISABLE: Command timed out.
Jul 14 03:42:32 neko kernel: 
ipw2200: Failed to send SCAN_ABORT: Command timed out.
Jul 14 03:42:33 neko kernel: 
ipw2200: Failed to send CARD_DISABLE: Command timed out.
Jul 14 03:42:39 neko kernel: 
ipw2200: Failed to send SCAN_ABORT: Command timed out.

repeated again and again.

There's usually a "firmware error detected, restarting" message buried
somewhere in the logs before that happens.

Under kernel 2.6.16, I was able to fix this as follows:

echo -n 3 > /sys/class/net/$IFACE/device/power/state
sleep 1
echo -n 0 > /sys/class/net/$IFACE/device/power/state

( removing and reloading the module has no effect here, under
  either kernel 2.6.16 or 2.6.24: taking the interface down and
  bringing it up again is likewise ineffective )

However, I note that under 2.6.24 said /sys interface is no
longer present, so once the firmware dies, I am forced to either
hunt down a network cable with something useful on the other end,
or live without networking, or reboot.

Is there a new way to achieve the same effect in 2.6.24? If there's not,
is there likely to be in the future? Or should I just revert to 2.6.16
until such time as I replace my laptop and (hopefully) don't have to
struggle with the intel wifi hardware any more?

--
Vivek