diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-3945.c b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-3945.c
index 5b0c6e5bda92..8bed0445ff5d 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-3945.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-3945.c
@@ -98,7 +98,6 @@ const struct iwl3945_rate_info iwl3945_rates[IWL_RATE_COUNT_3945] = {
  *   ... and set IWL_EVT_DISABLE to 1. */
 void iwl3945_disable_events(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
-	int ret;
 	int i;
 	u32 base;		/* SRAM address of event log header */
 	u32 disable_ptr;	/* SRAM address of event-disable bitmap array */
@@ -159,26 +158,17 @@ void iwl3945_disable_events(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 		return;
 	}
 
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret) {
-		IWL_WARN(priv, "Can not read from adapter at this time.\n");
-		return;
-	}
-
 	disable_ptr = iwl_read_targ_mem(priv, base + (4 * sizeof(u32)));
 	array_size = iwl_read_targ_mem(priv, base + (5 * sizeof(u32)));
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 
 	if (IWL_EVT_DISABLE && (array_size == IWL_EVT_DISABLE_SIZE)) {
 		IWL_DEBUG_INFO(priv, "Disabling selected uCode log events at 0x%x\n",
 			       disable_ptr);
-		ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
 		for (i = 0; i < IWL_EVT_DISABLE_SIZE; i++)
 			iwl_write_targ_mem(priv,
 					   disable_ptr + (i * sizeof(u32)),
 					   evt_disable[i]);
 
-		iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 	} else {
 		IWL_DEBUG_INFO(priv, "Selected uCode log events may be disabled\n");
 		IWL_DEBUG_INFO(priv, "  by writing \"1\"s into disable bitmap\n");
@@ -908,55 +898,30 @@ u8 iwl3945_sync_sta(struct iwl_priv *priv, int sta_id, u16 tx_rate, u8 flags)
 
 static int iwl3945_set_pwr_src(struct iwl_priv *priv, enum iwl_pwr_src src)
 {
-	int ret;
-	unsigned long flags;
-
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		return ret;
-	}
-
 	if (src == IWL_PWR_SRC_VAUX) {
 		if (pci_pme_capable(priv->pci_dev, PCI_D3cold)) {
 			iwl_set_bits_mask_prph(priv, APMG_PS_CTRL_REG,
 					APMG_PS_CTRL_VAL_PWR_SRC_VAUX,
 					~APMG_PS_CTRL_MSK_PWR_SRC);
-			iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 
 			iwl_poll_bit(priv, CSR_GPIO_IN,
 				     CSR_GPIO_IN_VAL_VAUX_PWR_SRC,
 				     CSR_GPIO_IN_BIT_AUX_POWER, 5000);
-		} else {
-			iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 		}
 	} else {
 		iwl_set_bits_mask_prph(priv, APMG_PS_CTRL_REG,
 				APMG_PS_CTRL_VAL_PWR_SRC_VMAIN,
 				~APMG_PS_CTRL_MSK_PWR_SRC);
 
-		iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 		iwl_poll_bit(priv, CSR_GPIO_IN, CSR_GPIO_IN_VAL_VMAIN_PWR_SRC,
 			     CSR_GPIO_IN_BIT_AUX_POWER, 5000);	/* uS */
 	}
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
 
-	return ret;
+	return 0;
 }
 
 static int iwl3945_rx_init(struct iwl_priv *priv, struct iwl_rx_queue *rxq)
 {
-	int rc;
-	unsigned long flags;
-
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	rc = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (rc) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		return rc;
-	}
-
 	iwl_write_direct32(priv, FH39_RCSR_RBD_BASE(0), rxq->dma_addr);
 	iwl_write_direct32(priv, FH39_RCSR_RPTR_ADDR(0), rxq->rb_stts_dma);
 	iwl_write_direct32(priv, FH39_RCSR_WPTR(0), 0);
@@ -973,23 +938,11 @@ static int iwl3945_rx_init(struct iwl_priv *priv, struct iwl_rx_queue *rxq)
 	/* fake read to flush all prev I/O */
 	iwl_read_direct32(priv, FH39_RSSR_CTRL);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-
 	return 0;
 }
 
 static int iwl3945_tx_reset(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
-	int rc;
-	unsigned long flags;
-
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	rc = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (rc) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		return rc;
-	}
 
 	/* bypass mode */
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, ALM_SCD_MODE_REG, 0x2);
@@ -1017,8 +970,6 @@ static int iwl3945_tx_reset(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 		FH39_TSSR_TX_MSG_CONFIG_REG_VAL_ORDER_RSP_WAIT_TH |
 		FH39_TSSR_TX_MSG_CONFIG_REG_VAL_RSP_WAIT_TH);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
 
 	return 0;
 }
@@ -1061,7 +1012,7 @@ static int iwl3945_txq_ctx_reset(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 
 static int iwl3945_apm_init(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
-	int ret = 0;
+	int ret;
 
 	iwl_power_initialize(priv);
 
@@ -1083,10 +1034,6 @@ static int iwl3945_apm_init(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 		goto out;
 	}
 
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret)
-		goto out;
-
 	/* enable DMA */
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, APMG_CLK_CTRL_REG, APMG_CLK_VAL_DMA_CLK_RQT |
 						APMG_CLK_VAL_BSM_CLK_RQT);
@@ -1097,7 +1044,6 @@ static int iwl3945_apm_init(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	iwl_set_bits_prph(priv, APMG_PCIDEV_STT_REG,
 			  APMG_PCIDEV_STT_VAL_L1_ACT_DIS);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 out:
 	return ret;
 }
@@ -1196,22 +1142,13 @@ int iwl3945_hw_nic_init(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 
 	iwl3945_rx_init(priv, rxq);
 
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
 
 	/* Look at using this instead:
 	rxq->need_update = 1;
 	iwl_rx_queue_update_write_ptr(priv, rxq);
 	*/
 
-	rc = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (rc) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		return rc;
-	}
 	iwl_write_direct32(priv, FH39_RCSR_WPTR(0), rxq->write & ~7);
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
 
 	rc = iwl3945_txq_ctx_reset(priv);
 	if (rc)
@@ -1243,14 +1180,6 @@ void iwl3945_hw_txq_ctx_free(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 void iwl3945_hw_txq_ctx_stop(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
 	int txq_id;
-	unsigned long flags;
-
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	if (iwl_grab_nic_access(priv)) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		iwl3945_hw_txq_ctx_free(priv);
-		return;
-	}
 
 	/* stop SCD */
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, ALM_SCD_MODE_REG, 0);
@@ -1263,9 +1192,6 @@ void iwl3945_hw_txq_ctx_stop(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 				1000);
 	}
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-
 	iwl3945_hw_txq_ctx_free(priv);
 }
 
@@ -1310,12 +1236,8 @@ static void iwl3945_apm_stop(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 
 static int iwl3945_apm_reset(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
-	int rc;
-	unsigned long flags;
-
 	iwl3945_apm_stop_master(priv);
 
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
 
 	iwl_set_bit(priv, CSR_RESET, CSR_RESET_REG_FLAG_SW_RESET);
 	udelay(10);
@@ -1325,36 +1247,31 @@ static int iwl3945_apm_reset(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	iwl_poll_direct_bit(priv, CSR_GP_CNTRL,
 			 CSR_GP_CNTRL_REG_FLAG_MAC_CLOCK_READY, 25000);
 
-	rc = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (!rc) {
-		iwl_write_prph(priv, APMG_CLK_CTRL_REG,
-					 APMG_CLK_VAL_BSM_CLK_RQT);
+	iwl_write_prph(priv, APMG_CLK_CTRL_REG,
+				APMG_CLK_VAL_BSM_CLK_RQT);
 
-		iwl_write_prph(priv, APMG_RTC_INT_MSK_REG, 0x0);
-		iwl_write_prph(priv, APMG_RTC_INT_STT_REG,
+	iwl_write_prph(priv, APMG_RTC_INT_MSK_REG, 0x0);
+	iwl_write_prph(priv, APMG_RTC_INT_STT_REG,
 					0xFFFFFFFF);
 
-		/* enable DMA */
-		iwl_write_prph(priv, APMG_CLK_EN_REG,
-					 APMG_CLK_VAL_DMA_CLK_RQT |
-					 APMG_CLK_VAL_BSM_CLK_RQT);
-		udelay(10);
+	/* enable DMA */
+	iwl_write_prph(priv, APMG_CLK_EN_REG,
+				APMG_CLK_VAL_DMA_CLK_RQT |
+				APMG_CLK_VAL_BSM_CLK_RQT);
+	udelay(10);
 
-		iwl_set_bits_prph(priv, APMG_PS_CTRL_REG,
+	iwl_set_bits_prph(priv, APMG_PS_CTRL_REG,
 				APMG_PS_CTRL_VAL_RESET_REQ);
-		udelay(5);
-		iwl_clear_bits_prph(priv, APMG_PS_CTRL_REG,
+	udelay(5);
+	iwl_clear_bits_prph(priv, APMG_PS_CTRL_REG,
 				APMG_PS_CTRL_VAL_RESET_REQ);
-		iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-	}
 
 	/* Clear the 'host command active' bit... */
 	clear_bit(STATUS_HCMD_ACTIVE, &priv->status);
 
 	wake_up_interruptible(&priv->wait_command_queue);
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
 
-	return rc;
+	return 0;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -2500,14 +2417,6 @@ int iwl3945_txpower_set_from_eeprom(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 int iwl3945_hw_rxq_stop(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
 	int rc;
-	unsigned long flags;
-
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	rc = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (rc) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		return rc;
-	}
 
 	iwl_write_direct32(priv, FH39_RCSR_CONFIG(0), 0);
 	rc = iwl_poll_direct_bit(priv, FH39_RSSR_STATUS,
@@ -2515,28 +2424,17 @@ int iwl3945_hw_rxq_stop(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	if (rc < 0)
 		IWL_ERR(priv, "Can't stop Rx DMA.\n");
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-
 	return 0;
 }
 
 int iwl3945_hw_tx_queue_init(struct iwl_priv *priv, struct iwl_tx_queue *txq)
 {
-	int rc;
-	unsigned long flags;
 	int txq_id = txq->q.id;
 
 	struct iwl3945_shared *shared_data = priv->shared_virt;
 
 	shared_data->tx_base_ptr[txq_id] = cpu_to_le32((u32)txq->q.dma_addr);
 
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	rc = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (rc) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		return rc;
-	}
 	iwl_write_direct32(priv, FH39_CBCC_CTRL(txq_id), 0);
 	iwl_write_direct32(priv, FH39_CBCC_BASE(txq_id), 0);
 
@@ -2546,11 +2444,9 @@ int iwl3945_hw_tx_queue_init(struct iwl_priv *priv, struct iwl_tx_queue *txq)
 		FH39_TCSR_TX_CONFIG_REG_VAL_CIRQ_HOST_IFTFD |
 		FH39_TCSR_TX_CONFIG_REG_VAL_DMA_CREDIT_ENABLE_VAL |
 		FH39_TCSR_TX_CONFIG_REG_VAL_DMA_CHNL_ENABLE);
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 
 	/* fake read to flush all prev. writes */
 	iwl_read32(priv, FH39_TSSR_CBB_BASE);
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
 
 	return 0;
 }
@@ -2858,10 +2754,6 @@ static int iwl3945_load_bsm(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	inst_len = priv->ucode_init.len;
 	data_len = priv->ucode_init_data.len;
 
-	rc = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (rc)
-		return rc;
-
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, BSM_DRAM_INST_PTR_REG, pinst);
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, BSM_DRAM_DATA_PTR_REG, pdata);
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, BSM_DRAM_INST_BYTECOUNT_REG, inst_len);
@@ -2875,10 +2767,8 @@ static int iwl3945_load_bsm(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 					  le32_to_cpu(*image));
 
 	rc = iwl3945_verify_bsm(priv);
-	if (rc) {
-		iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
+	if (rc)
 		return rc;
-	}
 
 	/* Tell BSM to copy from BSM SRAM into instruction SRAM, when asked */
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, BSM_WR_MEM_SRC_REG, 0x0);
@@ -2910,8 +2800,6 @@ static int iwl3945_load_bsm(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, BSM_WR_CTRL_REG,
 		BSM_WR_CTRL_REG_BIT_START_EN);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-
 	return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-4965.c b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-4965.c
index 97131e63397e..4be7bd29ef6d 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-4965.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-4965.c
@@ -163,10 +163,6 @@ static int iwl4965_load_bsm(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	inst_len = priv->ucode_init.len;
 	data_len = priv->ucode_init_data.len;
 
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret)
-		return ret;
-
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, BSM_DRAM_INST_PTR_REG, pinst);
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, BSM_DRAM_DATA_PTR_REG, pdata);
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, BSM_DRAM_INST_BYTECOUNT_REG, inst_len);
@@ -179,10 +175,8 @@ static int iwl4965_load_bsm(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 		_iwl_write_prph(priv, reg_offset, le32_to_cpu(*image));
 
 	ret = iwl4965_verify_bsm(priv);
-	if (ret) {
-		iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
+	if (ret)
 		return ret;
-	}
 
 	/* Tell BSM to copy from BSM SRAM into instruction SRAM, when asked */
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, BSM_WR_MEM_SRC_REG, 0x0);
@@ -211,7 +205,6 @@ static int iwl4965_load_bsm(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	 *   (e.g. when powering back up after power-save shutdown) */
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, BSM_WR_CTRL_REG, BSM_WR_CTRL_REG_BIT_START_EN);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 
 	return 0;
 }
@@ -229,20 +222,12 @@ static int iwl4965_set_ucode_ptrs(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
 	dma_addr_t pinst;
 	dma_addr_t pdata;
-	unsigned long flags;
 	int ret = 0;
 
 	/* bits 35:4 for 4965 */
 	pinst = priv->ucode_code.p_addr >> 4;
 	pdata = priv->ucode_data_backup.p_addr >> 4;
 
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		return ret;
-	}
-
 	/* Tell bootstrap uCode where to find image to load */
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, BSM_DRAM_INST_PTR_REG, pinst);
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, BSM_DRAM_DATA_PTR_REG, pdata);
@@ -253,10 +238,6 @@ static int iwl4965_set_ucode_ptrs(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	 *   that all new ptr/size info is in place */
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, BSM_DRAM_INST_BYTECOUNT_REG,
 				 priv->ucode_code.len | BSM_DRAM_INST_LOAD);
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-
 	IWL_DEBUG_INFO(priv, "Runtime uCode pointers are set.\n");
 
 	return ret;
@@ -358,10 +339,6 @@ static int iwl4965_apm_init(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 		goto out;
 	}
 
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret)
-		goto out;
-
 	/* enable DMA */
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, APMG_CLK_CTRL_REG, APMG_CLK_VAL_DMA_CLK_RQT |
 						APMG_CLK_VAL_BSM_CLK_RQT);
@@ -372,7 +349,6 @@ static int iwl4965_apm_init(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	iwl_set_bits_prph(priv, APMG_PCIDEV_STT_REG,
 			  APMG_PCIDEV_STT_VAL_L1_ACT_DIS);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 out:
 	return ret;
 }
@@ -454,11 +430,9 @@ static void iwl4965_apm_stop(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 static int iwl4965_apm_reset(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
 	int ret = 0;
-	unsigned long flags;
 
 	iwl4965_apm_stop_master(priv);
 
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
 
 	iwl_set_bit(priv, CSR_RESET, CSR_RESET_REG_FLAG_SW_RESET);
 
@@ -475,9 +449,6 @@ static int iwl4965_apm_reset(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 
 	udelay(10);
 
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret)
-		goto out;
 	/* Enable DMA and BSM Clock */
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, APMG_CLK_EN_REG, APMG_CLK_VAL_DMA_CLK_RQT |
 					      APMG_CLK_VAL_BSM_CLK_RQT);
@@ -488,14 +459,10 @@ static int iwl4965_apm_reset(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	iwl_set_bits_prph(priv, APMG_PCIDEV_STT_REG,
 			  APMG_PCIDEV_STT_VAL_L1_ACT_DIS);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-
 	clear_bit(STATUS_HCMD_ACTIVE, &priv->status);
 	wake_up_interruptible(&priv->wait_command_queue);
 
 out:
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -681,18 +648,11 @@ static int iwl4965_alive_notify(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
 	u32 a;
 	unsigned long flags;
-	int ret;
 	int i, chan;
 	u32 reg_val;
 
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
 
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		return ret;
-	}
-
 	/* Clear 4965's internal Tx Scheduler data base */
 	priv->scd_base_addr = iwl_read_prph(priv, IWL49_SCD_SRAM_BASE_ADDR);
 	a = priv->scd_base_addr + IWL49_SCD_CONTEXT_DATA_OFFSET;
@@ -759,10 +719,9 @@ static int iwl4965_alive_notify(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 		iwl4965_tx_queue_set_status(priv, &priv->txq[i], ac, 0);
 	}
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
 
-	return ret;
+	return 0;
 }
 
 static struct iwl_sensitivity_ranges iwl4965_sensitivity = {
@@ -1840,8 +1799,6 @@ static void iwl4965_tx_queue_stop_scheduler(struct iwl_priv *priv,
 static int iwl4965_txq_agg_disable(struct iwl_priv *priv, u16 txq_id,
 				   u16 ssn_idx, u8 tx_fifo)
 {
-	int ret = 0;
-
 	if ((IWL49_FIRST_AMPDU_QUEUE > txq_id) ||
 	    (IWL49_FIRST_AMPDU_QUEUE + IWL49_NUM_AMPDU_QUEUES <= txq_id)) {
 		IWL_WARN(priv,
@@ -1851,10 +1808,6 @@ static int iwl4965_txq_agg_disable(struct iwl_priv *priv, u16 txq_id,
 		return -EINVAL;
 	}
 
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret)
-		return ret;
-
 	iwl4965_tx_queue_stop_scheduler(priv, txq_id);
 
 	iwl_clear_bits_prph(priv, IWL49_SCD_QUEUECHAIN_SEL, (1 << txq_id));
@@ -1868,8 +1821,6 @@ static int iwl4965_txq_agg_disable(struct iwl_priv *priv, u16 txq_id,
 	iwl_txq_ctx_deactivate(priv, txq_id);
 	iwl4965_tx_queue_set_status(priv, &priv->txq[txq_id], tx_fifo, 0);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -1911,7 +1862,6 @@ static int iwl4965_txq_agg_enable(struct iwl_priv *priv, int txq_id,
 				  int tx_fifo, int sta_id, int tid, u16 ssn_idx)
 {
 	unsigned long flags;
-	int ret;
 	u16 ra_tid;
 
 	if ((IWL49_FIRST_AMPDU_QUEUE > txq_id) ||
@@ -1929,11 +1879,6 @@ static int iwl4965_txq_agg_enable(struct iwl_priv *priv, int txq_id,
 	iwl_sta_tx_modify_enable_tid(priv, sta_id, tid);
 
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		return ret;
-	}
 
 	/* Stop this Tx queue before configuring it */
 	iwl4965_tx_queue_stop_scheduler(priv, txq_id);
@@ -1966,7 +1911,6 @@ static int iwl4965_txq_agg_enable(struct iwl_priv *priv, int txq_id,
 	/* Set up Status area in SRAM, map to Tx DMA/FIFO, activate the queue */
 	iwl4965_tx_queue_set_status(priv, &priv->txq[txq_id], tx_fifo, 1);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-5000.c b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-5000.c
index e61b67d0a18b..bec5f8c6841f 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-5000.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-5000.c
@@ -124,10 +124,6 @@ static int iwl5000_apm_init(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 		return ret;
 	}
 
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret)
-		return ret;
-
 	/* enable DMA */
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, APMG_CLK_EN_REG, APMG_CLK_VAL_DMA_CLK_RQT);
 
@@ -137,8 +133,6 @@ static int iwl5000_apm_init(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	iwl_set_bits_prph(priv, APMG_PCIDEV_STT_REG,
 			  APMG_PCIDEV_STT_VAL_L1_ACT_DIS);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -165,12 +159,9 @@ static void iwl5000_apm_stop(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 static int iwl5000_apm_reset(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
 	int ret = 0;
-	unsigned long flags;
 
 	iwl5000_apm_stop_master(priv);
 
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-
 	iwl_set_bit(priv, CSR_RESET, CSR_RESET_REG_FLAG_SW_RESET);
 
 	udelay(10);
@@ -193,10 +184,6 @@ static int iwl5000_apm_reset(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 		goto out;
 	}
 
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret)
-		goto out;
-
 	/* enable DMA */
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, APMG_CLK_EN_REG, APMG_CLK_VAL_DMA_CLK_RQT);
 
@@ -205,11 +192,7 @@ static int iwl5000_apm_reset(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	/* disable L1-Active */
 	iwl_set_bits_prph(priv, APMG_PCIDEV_STT_REG,
 			  APMG_PCIDEV_STT_VAL_L1_ACT_DIS);
-
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-
 out:
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
 
 	return ret;
 }
@@ -252,11 +235,9 @@ static void iwl5000_nic_config(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	 * (PCIe power is lost before PERST# is asserted),
 	 * causing ME FW to lose ownership and not being able to obtain it back.
 	 */
-	iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
 	iwl_set_bits_mask_prph(priv, APMG_PS_CTRL_REG,
 				APMG_PS_CTRL_EARLY_PWR_OFF_RESET_DIS,
 				~APMG_PS_CTRL_EARLY_PWR_OFF_RESET_DIS);
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
 }
@@ -537,19 +518,9 @@ static int iwl5000_load_section(struct iwl_priv *priv,
 				struct fw_desc *image,
 				u32 dst_addr)
 {
-	int ret = 0;
-	unsigned long flags;
-
 	dma_addr_t phy_addr = image->p_addr;
 	u32 byte_cnt = image->len;
 
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		return ret;
-	}
-
 	iwl_write_direct32(priv,
 		FH_TCSR_CHNL_TX_CONFIG_REG(FH_SRVC_CHNL),
 		FH_TCSR_TX_CONFIG_REG_VAL_DMA_CHNL_PAUSE);
@@ -578,8 +549,6 @@ static int iwl5000_load_section(struct iwl_priv *priv,
 		FH_TCSR_TX_CONFIG_REG_VAL_DMA_CREDIT_DISABLE	|
 		FH_TCSR_TX_CONFIG_REG_VAL_CIRQ_HOST_ENDTFD);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -740,18 +709,11 @@ static int iwl5000_alive_notify(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
 	u32 a;
 	unsigned long flags;
-	int ret;
 	int i, chan;
 	u32 reg_val;
 
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
 
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		return ret;
-	}
-
 	priv->scd_base_addr = iwl_read_prph(priv, IWL50_SCD_SRAM_BASE_ADDR);
 	a = priv->scd_base_addr + IWL50_SCD_CONTEXT_DATA_OFFSET;
 	for (; a < priv->scd_base_addr + IWL50_SCD_TX_STTS_BITMAP_OFFSET;
@@ -819,7 +781,6 @@ static int iwl5000_alive_notify(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	iwl_txq_ctx_activate(priv, 8);
 	iwl_txq_ctx_activate(priv, 9);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
 
 
@@ -1000,7 +961,6 @@ static int iwl5000_txq_agg_enable(struct iwl_priv *priv, int txq_id,
 				  int tx_fifo, int sta_id, int tid, u16 ssn_idx)
 {
 	unsigned long flags;
-	int ret;
 	u16 ra_tid;
 
 	if ((IWL50_FIRST_AMPDU_QUEUE > txq_id) ||
@@ -1018,11 +978,6 @@ static int iwl5000_txq_agg_enable(struct iwl_priv *priv, int txq_id,
 	iwl_sta_tx_modify_enable_tid(priv, sta_id, tid);
 
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		return ret;
-	}
 
 	/* Stop this Tx queue before configuring it */
 	iwl5000_tx_queue_stop_scheduler(priv, txq_id);
@@ -1058,7 +1013,6 @@ static int iwl5000_txq_agg_enable(struct iwl_priv *priv, int txq_id,
 	/* Set up Status area in SRAM, map to Tx DMA/FIFO, activate the queue */
 	iwl5000_tx_queue_set_status(priv, &priv->txq[txq_id], tx_fifo, 1);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
 
 	return 0;
@@ -1067,8 +1021,6 @@ static int iwl5000_txq_agg_enable(struct iwl_priv *priv, int txq_id,
 static int iwl5000_txq_agg_disable(struct iwl_priv *priv, u16 txq_id,
 				   u16 ssn_idx, u8 tx_fifo)
 {
-	int ret;
-
 	if ((IWL50_FIRST_AMPDU_QUEUE > txq_id) ||
 	    (IWL50_FIRST_AMPDU_QUEUE + IWL50_NUM_AMPDU_QUEUES <= txq_id)) {
 		IWL_ERR(priv,
@@ -1078,10 +1030,6 @@ static int iwl5000_txq_agg_disable(struct iwl_priv *priv, u16 txq_id,
 		return -EINVAL;
 	}
 
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret)
-		return ret;
-
 	iwl5000_tx_queue_stop_scheduler(priv, txq_id);
 
 	iwl_clear_bits_prph(priv, IWL50_SCD_AGGR_SEL, (1 << txq_id));
@@ -1095,8 +1043,6 @@ static int iwl5000_txq_agg_disable(struct iwl_priv *priv, u16 txq_id,
 	iwl_txq_ctx_deactivate(priv, txq_id);
 	iwl5000_tx_queue_set_status(priv, &priv->txq[txq_id], tx_fifo, 0);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-
 	return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-agn.c b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-agn.c
index fd3673448d7a..4e41038a92c1 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-agn.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-agn.c
@@ -503,24 +503,12 @@ int iwl_hw_txq_attach_buf_to_tfd(struct iwl_priv *priv,
 int iwl_hw_tx_queue_init(struct iwl_priv *priv,
 			 struct iwl_tx_queue *txq)
 {
-	int ret;
-	unsigned long flags;
 	int txq_id = txq->q.id;
 
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		return ret;
-	}
-
 	/* Circular buffer (TFD queue in DRAM) physical base address */
 	iwl_write_direct32(priv, FH_MEM_CBBC_QUEUE(txq_id),
 			     txq->q.dma_addr >> 8);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -709,6 +697,7 @@ static void iwl_rx_card_state_notif(struct iwl_priv *priv,
 	struct iwl_rx_packet *pkt = (struct iwl_rx_packet *)rxb->skb->data;
 	u32 flags = le32_to_cpu(pkt->u.card_state_notif.flags);
 	unsigned long status = priv->status;
+	unsigned long reg_flags;
 
 	IWL_DEBUG_RF_KILL(priv, "Card state received: HW:%s SW:%s\n",
 			  (flags & HW_CARD_DISABLED) ? "Kill" : "On",
@@ -720,32 +709,25 @@ static void iwl_rx_card_state_notif(struct iwl_priv *priv,
 		iwl_write32(priv, CSR_UCODE_DRV_GP1_SET,
 			    CSR_UCODE_DRV_GP1_BIT_CMD_BLOCKED);
 
-		if (!iwl_grab_nic_access(priv)) {
-			iwl_write_direct32(
-				priv, HBUS_TARG_MBX_C,
-				HBUS_TARG_MBX_C_REG_BIT_CMD_BLOCKED);
-
-			iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-		}
+		iwl_write_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_MBX_C,
+					HBUS_TARG_MBX_C_REG_BIT_CMD_BLOCKED);
 
 		if (!(flags & RXON_CARD_DISABLED)) {
 			iwl_write32(priv, CSR_UCODE_DRV_GP1_CLR,
 				    CSR_UCODE_DRV_GP1_BIT_CMD_BLOCKED);
-			if (!iwl_grab_nic_access(priv)) {
-				iwl_write_direct32(
-					priv, HBUS_TARG_MBX_C,
+			iwl_write_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_MBX_C,
 					HBUS_TARG_MBX_C_REG_BIT_CMD_BLOCKED);
 
-				iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-			}
 		}
 
 		if (flags & RF_CARD_DISABLED) {
 			iwl_write32(priv, CSR_UCODE_DRV_GP1_SET,
 				    CSR_UCODE_DRV_GP1_REG_BIT_CT_KILL_EXIT);
 			iwl_read32(priv, CSR_UCODE_DRV_GP1);
+			spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
 			if (!iwl_grab_nic_access(priv))
 				iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
+			spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -774,14 +756,6 @@ static void iwl_rx_card_state_notif(struct iwl_priv *priv,
 
 int iwl_set_pwr_src(struct iwl_priv *priv, enum iwl_pwr_src src)
 {
-	int ret;
-	unsigned long flags;
-
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret)
-		goto err;
-
 	if (src == IWL_PWR_SRC_VAUX) {
 		if (pci_pme_capable(priv->pci_dev, PCI_D3cold))
 			iwl_set_bits_mask_prph(priv, APMG_PS_CTRL_REG,
@@ -793,10 +767,7 @@ int iwl_set_pwr_src(struct iwl_priv *priv, enum iwl_pwr_src src)
 				       ~APMG_PS_CTRL_MSK_PWR_SRC);
 	}
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-err:
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-	return ret;
+	return 0;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -1587,13 +1558,8 @@ static void __iwl_down(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	iwl_txq_ctx_stop(priv);
 	iwl_rxq_stop(priv);
 
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	if (!iwl_grab_nic_access(priv)) {
-		iwl_write_prph(priv, APMG_CLK_DIS_REG,
-					 APMG_CLK_VAL_DMA_CLK_RQT);
-		iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-	}
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
+	iwl_write_prph(priv, APMG_CLK_DIS_REG,
+				APMG_CLK_VAL_DMA_CLK_RQT);
 
 	udelay(5);
 
@@ -2707,6 +2673,10 @@ static int iwl_pci_probe(struct pci_dev *pdev, const struct pci_device_id *ent)
 		(unsigned long long) pci_resource_len(pdev, 0));
 	IWL_DEBUG_INFO(priv, "pci_resource_base = %p\n", priv->hw_base);
 
+	/* this spin lock will be used in apm_ops.init and EEPROM access
+	 * we should init now
+	 */
+	spin_lock_init(&priv->reg_lock);
 	iwl_hw_detect(priv);
 	IWL_INFO(priv, "Detected Intel Wireless WiFi Link %s REV=0x%X\n",
 		priv->cfg->name, priv->hw_rev);
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-core.c b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-core.c
index 6c1b171d92be..c7cbb2e80903 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-core.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-core.c
@@ -1588,10 +1588,6 @@ static int iwlcore_verify_inst_sparse(struct iwl_priv *priv, __le32 *image, u32
 
 	IWL_DEBUG_INFO(priv, "ucode inst image size is %u\n", len);
 
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret)
-		return ret;
-
 	for (i = 0; i < len; i += 100, image += 100/sizeof(u32)) {
 		/* read data comes through single port, auto-incr addr */
 		/* NOTE: Use the debugless read so we don't flood kernel log
@@ -1607,8 +1603,6 @@ static int iwlcore_verify_inst_sparse(struct iwl_priv *priv, __le32 *image, u32
 		}
 	}
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -1626,10 +1620,6 @@ static int iwl_verify_inst_full(struct iwl_priv *priv, __le32 *image,
 
 	IWL_DEBUG_INFO(priv, "ucode inst image size is %u\n", len);
 
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret)
-		return ret;
-
 	iwl_write_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_MEM_RADDR,
 			   IWL49_RTC_INST_LOWER_BOUND);
 
@@ -1650,8 +1640,6 @@ static int iwl_verify_inst_full(struct iwl_priv *priv, __le32 *image,
 		}
 	}
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-
 	if (!errcnt)
 		IWL_DEBUG_INFO(priv,
 		    "ucode image in INSTRUCTION memory is good\n");
@@ -1760,7 +1748,6 @@ void iwl_dump_nic_error_log(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	u32 data2, line;
 	u32 desc, time, count, base, data1;
 	u32 blink1, blink2, ilink1, ilink2;
-	int ret;
 
 	if (priv->ucode_type == UCODE_INIT)
 		base = le32_to_cpu(priv->card_alive_init.error_event_table_ptr);
@@ -1772,12 +1759,6 @@ void iwl_dump_nic_error_log(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 		return;
 	}
 
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret) {
-		IWL_WARN(priv, "Can not read from adapter at this time.\n");
-		return;
-	}
-
 	count = iwl_read_targ_mem(priv, base);
 
 	if (ERROR_START_OFFSET <= count * ERROR_ELEM_SIZE) {
@@ -1804,7 +1785,6 @@ void iwl_dump_nic_error_log(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	IWL_ERR(priv, "0x%05X 0x%05X 0x%05X 0x%05X\n", blink1, blink2,
 		ilink1, ilink2);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL(iwl_dump_nic_error_log);
 
@@ -1813,7 +1793,6 @@ EXPORT_SYMBOL(iwl_dump_nic_error_log);
 /**
  * iwl_print_event_log - Dump error event log to syslog
  *
- * NOTE: Must be called with iwl_grab_nic_access() already obtained!
  */
 static void iwl_print_event_log(struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 start_idx,
 				u32 num_events, u32 mode)
@@ -1859,7 +1838,6 @@ static void iwl_print_event_log(struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 start_idx,
 
 void iwl_dump_nic_event_log(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
-	int ret;
 	u32 base;       /* SRAM byte address of event log header */
 	u32 capacity;   /* event log capacity in # entries */
 	u32 mode;       /* 0 - no timestamp, 1 - timestamp recorded */
@@ -1877,12 +1855,6 @@ void iwl_dump_nic_event_log(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 		return;
 	}
 
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret) {
-		IWL_WARN(priv, "Can not read from adapter at this time.\n");
-		return;
-	}
-
 	/* event log header */
 	capacity = iwl_read_targ_mem(priv, base);
 	mode = iwl_read_targ_mem(priv, base + (1 * sizeof(u32)));
@@ -1894,7 +1866,6 @@ void iwl_dump_nic_event_log(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	/* bail out if nothing in log */
 	if (size == 0) {
 		IWL_ERR(priv, "Start IWL Event Log Dump: nothing in log\n");
-		iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 		return;
 	}
 
@@ -1909,7 +1880,6 @@ void iwl_dump_nic_event_log(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	/* (then/else) start at top of log */
 	iwl_print_event_log(priv, 0, next_entry, mode);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL(iwl_dump_nic_event_log);
 
@@ -2016,11 +1986,11 @@ int iwl_radio_kill_sw_enable_radio(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	/* wake up ucode */
 	msleep(10);
 
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
 	iwl_read32(priv, CSR_UCODE_DRV_GP1);
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->reg_lock, flags);
 	if (!iwl_grab_nic_access(priv))
 		iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->reg_lock, flags);
 
 	if (test_bit(STATUS_RF_KILL_HW, &priv->status)) {
 		IWL_DEBUG_RF_KILL(priv, "Can not turn radio back on - "
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-debugfs.c b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-debugfs.c
index 713f9edd055d..03006c66a20e 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-debugfs.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-debugfs.c
@@ -172,7 +172,6 @@ static ssize_t iwl_dbgfs_sram_read(struct file *file,
 	struct iwl_priv *priv = (struct iwl_priv *)file->private_data;
 	const size_t bufsz = sizeof(buf);
 
-	iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
 	for (i = priv->dbgfs->sram_len; i > 0; i -= 4) {
 		val = iwl_read_targ_mem(priv, priv->dbgfs->sram_offset + \
 					priv->dbgfs->sram_len - i);
@@ -192,7 +191,6 @@ static ssize_t iwl_dbgfs_sram_read(struct file *file,
 		pos += scnprintf(buf + pos, bufsz - pos, "0x%08x ", val);
 	}
 	pos += scnprintf(buf + pos, bufsz - pos, "\n");
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 
 	ret = simple_read_from_buffer(user_buf, count, ppos, buf, pos);
 	return ret;
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-dev.h b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-dev.h
index 8282def00832..1310c4122199 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-dev.h
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-dev.h
@@ -896,6 +896,7 @@ struct iwl_priv {
 	/* spinlock */
 	spinlock_t lock;	/* protect general shared data */
 	spinlock_t hcmd_lock;	/* protect hcmd */
+	spinlock_t reg_lock;	/* protect hw register access */
 	struct mutex mutex;
 
 	/* basic pci-network driver stuff */
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-eeprom.c b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-eeprom.c
index 9cc063b8b2d6..cefa501e5971 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-eeprom.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-eeprom.c
@@ -240,14 +240,12 @@ static int iwl_init_otp_access(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	if (ret < 0)
 		IWL_ERR(priv, "Time out access OTP\n");
 	else {
-		ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
 		if (!ret) {
 			iwl_set_bits_prph(priv, APMG_PS_CTRL_REG,
 					  APMG_PS_CTRL_VAL_RESET_REQ);
 			udelay(5);
 			iwl_clear_bits_prph(priv, APMG_PS_CTRL_REG,
 					    APMG_PS_CTRL_VAL_RESET_REQ);
-			iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 		}
 	}
 	return ret;
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-io.h b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-io.h
index 083ea1ffbe87..d30cb0275d19 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-io.h
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-io.h
@@ -131,9 +131,23 @@ static inline void __iwl_set_bit(const char *f, u32 l,
 	IWL_DEBUG_IO(priv, "set_bit(0x%08X, 0x%08X) = 0x%08X\n", reg, mask, val);
 	_iwl_write32(priv, reg, val);
 }
-#define iwl_set_bit(p, r, m) __iwl_set_bit(__FILE__, __LINE__, p, r, m)
+static inline void iwl_set_bit(struct iwl_priv *p, u32 r, u32 m)
+{
+	unsigned long reg_flags;
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&p->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	__iwl_set_bit(__FILE__, __LINE__, p, r, m);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&p->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+}
 #else
-#define iwl_set_bit(p, r, m) _iwl_set_bit(p, r, m)
+static inline void iwl_set_bit(struct iwl_priv *p, u32 r, u32 m)
+{
+	unsigned long reg_flags;
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&p->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	_iwl_set_bit(p, r, m);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&p->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+}
 #endif
 
 static inline void _iwl_clear_bit(struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 reg, u32 mask)
@@ -148,19 +162,30 @@ static inline void __iwl_clear_bit(const char *f, u32 l,
 	IWL_DEBUG_IO(priv, "clear_bit(0x%08X, 0x%08X) = 0x%08X\n", reg, mask, val);
 	_iwl_write32(priv, reg, val);
 }
-#define iwl_clear_bit(p, r, m) __iwl_clear_bit(__FILE__, __LINE__, p, r, m)
+static inline void iwl_clear_bit(struct iwl_priv *p, u32 r, u32 m)
+{
+	unsigned long reg_flags;
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&p->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	__iwl_clear_bit(__FILE__, __LINE__, p, r, m);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&p->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+}
 #else
-#define iwl_clear_bit(p, r, m) _iwl_clear_bit(p, r, m)
+static inline void iwl_clear_bit(struct iwl_priv *p, u32 r, u32 m)
+{
+	unsigned long reg_flags;
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&p->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	_iwl_clear_bit(p, r, m);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&p->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+}
 #endif
 
 static inline int _iwl_grab_nic_access(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
 	int ret;
 	u32 val;
-#ifdef CONFIG_IWLWIFI_DEBUG
-	if (atomic_read(&priv->restrict_refcnt))
-		return 0;
-#endif
+
 	/* this bit wakes up the NIC */
 	_iwl_set_bit(priv, CSR_GP_CNTRL, CSR_GP_CNTRL_REG_FLAG_MAC_ACCESS_REQ);
 	ret = _iwl_poll_bit(priv, CSR_GP_CNTRL,
@@ -170,12 +195,10 @@ static inline int _iwl_grab_nic_access(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	if (ret < 0) {
 		val = _iwl_read32(priv, CSR_GP_CNTRL);
 		IWL_ERR(priv, "MAC is in deep sleep!.  CSR_GP_CNTRL = 0x%08X\n", val);
+		_iwl_write32(priv, CSR_RESET, CSR_RESET_REG_FLAG_FORCE_NMI);
 		return -EIO;
 	}
 
-#ifdef CONFIG_IWLWIFI_DEBUG
-	atomic_inc(&priv->restrict_refcnt);
-#endif
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -183,9 +206,6 @@ static inline int _iwl_grab_nic_access(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 static inline int __iwl_grab_nic_access(const char *f, u32 l,
 					       struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
-	if (atomic_read(&priv->restrict_refcnt))
-		IWL_ERR(priv, "Grabbing access while already held %s %d.\n", f, l);
-
 	IWL_DEBUG_IO(priv, "grabbing nic access - %s %d\n", f, l);
 	return _iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
 }
@@ -198,18 +218,13 @@ static inline int __iwl_grab_nic_access(const char *f, u32 l,
 
 static inline void _iwl_release_nic_access(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
-#ifdef CONFIG_IWLWIFI_DEBUG
-	if (atomic_dec_and_test(&priv->restrict_refcnt))
-#endif
-		_iwl_clear_bit(priv, CSR_GP_CNTRL,
-			       CSR_GP_CNTRL_REG_FLAG_MAC_ACCESS_REQ);
+	_iwl_clear_bit(priv, CSR_GP_CNTRL,
+			CSR_GP_CNTRL_REG_FLAG_MAC_ACCESS_REQ);
 }
 #ifdef CONFIG_IWLWIFI_DEBUG
 static inline void __iwl_release_nic_access(const char *f, u32 l,
 					    struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
-	if (atomic_read(&priv->restrict_refcnt) <= 0)
-		IWL_ERR(priv, "Release unheld nic access at line %s %d.\n", f, l);
 
 	IWL_DEBUG_IO(priv, "releasing nic access - %s %d\n", f, l);
 	_iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
@@ -230,16 +245,37 @@ static inline u32 __iwl_read_direct32(const char *f, u32 l,
 					struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 reg)
 {
 	u32 value = _iwl_read_direct32(priv, reg);
-	if (!atomic_read(&priv->restrict_refcnt))
-		IWL_ERR(priv, "Nic access not held from %s %d\n", f, l);
 	IWL_DEBUG_IO(priv, "read_direct32(0x%4X) = 0x%08x - %s %d \n", reg, value,
 		     f, l);
 	return value;
 }
-#define iwl_read_direct32(priv, reg) \
-	__iwl_read_direct32(__FILE__, __LINE__, priv, reg)
+static inline u32 iwl_read_direct32(struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 reg)
+{
+	u32 value;
+	unsigned long reg_flags;
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
+	value = __iwl_read_direct32(__FILE__, __LINE__, priv, reg);
+	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	return value;
+}
+
 #else
-#define iwl_read_direct32 _iwl_read_direct32
+static inline u32 iwl_read_direct32(struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 reg)
+{
+	u32 value;
+	unsigned long reg_flags;
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
+	value = _iwl_read_direct32(priv, reg);
+	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	return value;
+
+}
 #endif
 
 static inline void _iwl_write_direct32(struct iwl_priv *priv,
@@ -247,19 +283,17 @@ static inline void _iwl_write_direct32(struct iwl_priv *priv,
 {
 	_iwl_write32(priv, reg, value);
 }
-#ifdef CONFIG_IWLWIFI_DEBUG
-static void __iwl_write_direct32(const char *f , u32 line,
-				   struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 reg, u32 value)
+static inline void iwl_write_direct32(struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 reg, u32 value)
 {
-	if (!atomic_read(&priv->restrict_refcnt))
-		IWL_ERR(priv, "Nic access not held from %s line %d\n", f, line);
-	_iwl_write_direct32(priv, reg, value);
+	unsigned long reg_flags;
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	if (!iwl_grab_nic_access(priv)) {
+		_iwl_write_direct32(priv, reg, value);
+		iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
+	}
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
 }
-#define iwl_write_direct32(priv, reg, value) \
-	__iwl_write_direct32(__func__, __LINE__, priv, reg, value)
-#else
-#define iwl_write_direct32 _iwl_write_direct32
-#endif
 
 static inline void iwl_write_reg_buf(struct iwl_priv *priv,
 					       u32 reg, u32 len, u32 *values)
@@ -268,14 +302,23 @@ static inline void iwl_write_reg_buf(struct iwl_priv *priv,
 
 	if ((priv != NULL) && (values != NULL)) {
 		for (; 0 < len; len -= count, reg += count, values++)
-			_iwl_write_direct32(priv, reg, *values);
+			iwl_write_direct32(priv, reg, *values);
 	}
 }
 
 static inline int _iwl_poll_direct_bit(struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 addr,
 				       u32 mask, int timeout)
 {
-	return _iwl_poll_bit(priv, addr, mask, mask, timeout);
+	int t = 0;
+
+	do {
+		if ((iwl_read_direct32(priv, addr) & mask) == mask)
+			return t;
+		udelay(IWL_POLL_INTERVAL);
+		t += IWL_POLL_INTERVAL;
+	} while (t < timeout);
+
+	return -ETIMEDOUT;
 }
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_IWLWIFI_DEBUG
@@ -305,20 +348,18 @@ static inline u32 _iwl_read_prph(struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 reg)
 	rmb();
 	return _iwl_read_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_PRPH_RDAT);
 }
-#ifdef CONFIG_IWLWIFI_DEBUG
-static inline u32 __iwl_read_prph(const char *f, u32 line,
-				  struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 reg)
+static inline u32 iwl_read_prph(struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 reg)
 {
-	if (!atomic_read(&priv->restrict_refcnt))
-		IWL_ERR(priv, "Nic access not held from %s line %d\n", f, line);
-	return _iwl_read_prph(priv, reg);
-}
+	unsigned long reg_flags;
+	u32 val;
 
-#define iwl_read_prph(priv, reg) \
-	__iwl_read_prph(__func__, __LINE__, priv, reg)
-#else
-#define iwl_read_prph _iwl_read_prph
-#endif
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
+	val = _iwl_read_prph(priv, reg);
+	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	return val;
+}
 
 static inline void _iwl_write_prph(struct iwl_priv *priv,
 					     u32 addr, u32 val)
@@ -328,83 +369,107 @@ static inline void _iwl_write_prph(struct iwl_priv *priv,
 	wmb();
 	_iwl_write_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_PRPH_WDAT, val);
 }
-#ifdef CONFIG_IWLWIFI_DEBUG
-static inline void __iwl_write_prph(const char *f, u32 line,
-				    struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 addr, u32 val)
-{
-	if (!atomic_read(&priv->restrict_refcnt))
-		IWL_ERR(priv, "Nic access not held from %s line %d\n", f, line);
-	_iwl_write_prph(priv, addr, val);
-}
 
-#define iwl_write_prph(priv, addr, val) \
-	__iwl_write_prph(__func__, __LINE__, priv, addr, val);
-#else
-#define iwl_write_prph _iwl_write_prph
-#endif
+static inline void iwl_write_prph(struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 addr, u32 val)
+{
+	unsigned long reg_flags;
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	if (!iwl_grab_nic_access(priv)) {
+		_iwl_write_prph(priv, addr, val);
+		iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
+	}
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+}
 
 #define _iwl_set_bits_prph(priv, reg, mask) \
 	_iwl_write_prph(priv, reg, (_iwl_read_prph(priv, reg) | mask))
-#ifdef CONFIG_IWLWIFI_DEBUG
-static inline void __iwl_set_bits_prph(const char *f, u32 line,
-				       struct iwl_priv *priv,
-				       u32 reg, u32 mask)
-{
-	if (!atomic_read(&priv->restrict_refcnt))
-		IWL_ERR(priv, "Nic access not held from %s line %d\n", f, line);
 
+static inline void iwl_set_bits_prph(struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 reg, u32 mask)
+{
+	unsigned long reg_flags;
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
 	_iwl_set_bits_prph(priv, reg, mask);
+	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
 }
-#define iwl_set_bits_prph(priv, reg, mask) \
-	__iwl_set_bits_prph(__func__, __LINE__, priv, reg, mask)
-#else
-#define iwl_set_bits_prph _iwl_set_bits_prph
-#endif
 
 #define _iwl_set_bits_mask_prph(priv, reg, bits, mask) \
 	_iwl_write_prph(priv, reg, ((_iwl_read_prph(priv, reg) & mask) | bits))
 
-#ifdef CONFIG_IWLWIFI_DEBUG
-static inline void __iwl_set_bits_mask_prph(const char *f, u32 line,
-		struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 reg, u32 bits, u32 mask)
+static inline void iwl_set_bits_mask_prph(struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 reg,
+				u32 bits, u32 mask)
 {
-	if (!atomic_read(&priv->restrict_refcnt))
-		IWL_ERR(priv, "Nic access not held from %s line %d\n", f, line);
+	unsigned long reg_flags;
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
 	_iwl_set_bits_mask_prph(priv, reg, bits, mask);
+	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
 }
-#define iwl_set_bits_mask_prph(priv, reg, bits, mask) \
-	__iwl_set_bits_mask_prph(__func__, __LINE__, priv, reg, bits, mask)
-#else
-#define iwl_set_bits_mask_prph _iwl_set_bits_mask_prph
-#endif
 
 static inline void iwl_clear_bits_prph(struct iwl_priv
 						 *priv, u32 reg, u32 mask)
 {
-	u32 val = _iwl_read_prph(priv, reg);
+	unsigned long reg_flags;
+	u32 val;
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
+	val = _iwl_read_prph(priv, reg);
 	_iwl_write_prph(priv, reg, (val & ~mask));
+	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
 }
 
 static inline u32 iwl_read_targ_mem(struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 addr)
 {
-	iwl_write_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_MEM_RADDR, addr);
+	unsigned long reg_flags;
+	u32 value;
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
+
+	_iwl_write_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_MEM_RADDR, addr);
 	rmb();
-	return iwl_read_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_MEM_RDAT);
+	value = _iwl_read_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_MEM_RDAT);
+
+	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	return value;
 }
 
 static inline void iwl_write_targ_mem(struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 addr, u32 val)
 {
-	iwl_write_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_MEM_WADDR, addr);
-	wmb();
-	iwl_write_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_MEM_WDAT, val);
+	unsigned long reg_flags;
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	if (!iwl_grab_nic_access(priv)) {
+		_iwl_write_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_MEM_WADDR, addr);
+		wmb();
+		_iwl_write_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_MEM_WDAT, val);
+		iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
+	}
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
 }
 
 static inline void iwl_write_targ_mem_buf(struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 addr,
 					  u32 len, u32 *values)
 {
-	iwl_write_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_MEM_WADDR, addr);
-	wmb();
-	for (; 0 < len; len -= sizeof(u32), values++)
-		iwl_write_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_MEM_WDAT, *values);
+	unsigned long reg_flags;
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
+	if (!iwl_grab_nic_access(priv)) {
+		_iwl_write_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_MEM_WADDR, addr);
+		wmb();
+		for (; 0 < len; len -= sizeof(u32), values++)
+			_iwl_write_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_MEM_WDAT, *values);
+
+		iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
+	}
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->reg_lock, reg_flags);
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-rx.c b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-rx.c
index 73739cfd8047..7a432829e79f 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-rx.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-rx.c
@@ -145,13 +145,7 @@ int iwl_rx_queue_update_write_ptr(struct iwl_priv *priv, struct iwl_rx_queue *q)
 			goto exit_unlock;
 		}
 
-		ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-		if (ret)
-			goto exit_unlock;
-
-		/* Device expects a multiple of 8 */
 		iwl_write_direct32(priv, rx_wrt_ptr_reg, q->write & ~0x7);
-		iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 
 	/* Else device is assumed to be awake */
 	} else {
@@ -403,19 +397,10 @@ EXPORT_SYMBOL(iwl_rx_queue_reset);
 
 int iwl_rx_init(struct iwl_priv *priv, struct iwl_rx_queue *rxq)
 {
-	int ret;
-	unsigned long flags;
 	u32 rb_size;
 	const u32 rfdnlog = RX_QUEUE_SIZE_LOG; /* 256 RBDs */
 	const u32 rb_timeout = 0; /* FIXME: RX_RB_TIMEOUT why this stalls RX */
 
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (ret) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		return ret;
-	}
-
 	if (priv->cfg->mod_params->amsdu_size_8K)
 		rb_size = FH_RCSR_RX_CONFIG_REG_VAL_RB_SIZE_8K;
 	else
@@ -452,35 +437,19 @@ int iwl_rx_init(struct iwl_priv *priv, struct iwl_rx_queue *rxq)
 			   (rb_timeout << FH_RCSR_RX_CONFIG_REG_IRQ_RBTH_POS)|
 			   (rfdnlog << FH_RCSR_RX_CONFIG_RBDCB_SIZE_POS));
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-
 	iwl_write32(priv, CSR_INT_COALESCING, 0x40);
 
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-
 	return 0;
 }
 
 int iwl_rxq_stop(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
-	int ret;
-	unsigned long flags;
-
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (unlikely(ret)) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		return ret;
-	}
 
 	/* stop Rx DMA */
 	iwl_write_direct32(priv, FH_MEM_RCSR_CHNL0_CONFIG_REG, 0);
 	iwl_poll_direct_bit(priv, FH_MEM_RSSR_RX_STATUS_REG,
 			    FH_RSSR_CHNL0_RX_STATUS_CHNL_IDLE, 1000);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-
 	return 0;
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL(iwl_rxq_stop);
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-tx.c b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-tx.c
index a82cca0a30c7..85ae7a62109c 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-tx.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-tx.c
@@ -102,13 +102,8 @@ int iwl_txq_update_write_ptr(struct iwl_priv *priv, struct iwl_tx_queue *txq)
 			return ret;
 		}
 
-		/* restore this queue's parameters in nic hardware. */
-		ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-		if (ret)
-			return ret;
 		iwl_write_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_WRPTR,
 				     txq->q.write_ptr | (txq_id << 8));
-		iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 
 	/* else not in power-save mode, uCode will never sleep when we're
 	 * trying to tx (during RFKILL, we're not trying to tx). */
@@ -429,11 +424,6 @@ int iwl_txq_ctx_reset(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 		goto error_kw;
 	}
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	ret = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (unlikely(ret)) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		goto error_reset;
-	}
 
 	/* Turn off all Tx DMA fifos */
 	priv->cfg->ops->lib->txq_set_sched(priv, 0);
@@ -441,7 +431,6 @@ int iwl_txq_ctx_reset(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	/* Tell NIC where to find the "keep warm" buffer */
 	iwl_write_direct32(priv, FH_KW_MEM_ADDR_REG, priv->kw.dma >> 4);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
 
 	/* Alloc and init all Tx queues, including the command queue (#4) */
@@ -460,7 +449,6 @@ int iwl_txq_ctx_reset(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 
  error:
 	iwl_hw_txq_ctx_free(priv);
- error_reset:
 	iwl_free_dma_ptr(priv, &priv->kw);
  error_kw:
 	iwl_free_dma_ptr(priv, &priv->scd_bc_tbls);
@@ -478,10 +466,6 @@ void iwl_txq_ctx_stop(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 
 	/* Turn off all Tx DMA fifos */
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	if (iwl_grab_nic_access(priv)) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		return;
-	}
 
 	priv->cfg->ops->lib->txq_set_sched(priv, 0);
 
@@ -492,7 +476,6 @@ void iwl_txq_ctx_stop(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 				    FH_TSSR_TX_STATUS_REG_MSK_CHNL_IDLE(ch),
 				    1000);
 	}
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
 
 	/* Deallocate memory for all Tx queues */
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl3945-base.c b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl3945-base.c
index 5d52f2275b6d..8e68803cdc62 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl3945-base.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl3945-base.c
@@ -1686,7 +1686,6 @@ static void iwl3945_dump_nic_error_log(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	u32 i;
 	u32 desc, time, count, base, data1;
 	u32 blink1, blink2, ilink1, ilink2;
-	int rc;
 
 	base = le32_to_cpu(priv->card_alive.error_event_table_ptr);
 
@@ -1695,11 +1694,6 @@ static void iwl3945_dump_nic_error_log(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 		return;
 	}
 
-	rc = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (rc) {
-		IWL_WARN(priv, "Can not read from adapter at this time.\n");
-		return;
-	}
 
 	count = iwl_read_targ_mem(priv, base);
 
@@ -1734,8 +1728,6 @@ static void iwl3945_dump_nic_error_log(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 			ilink1, ilink2, data1);
 	}
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-
 }
 
 #define EVENT_START_OFFSET  (6 * sizeof(u32))
@@ -1743,7 +1735,6 @@ static void iwl3945_dump_nic_error_log(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 /**
  * iwl3945_print_event_log - Dump error event log to syslog
  *
- * NOTE: Must be called with iwl_grab_nic_access() already obtained!
  */
 static void iwl3945_print_event_log(struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 start_idx,
 				u32 num_events, u32 mode)
@@ -1786,7 +1777,6 @@ static void iwl3945_print_event_log(struct iwl_priv *priv, u32 start_idx,
 
 static void iwl3945_dump_nic_event_log(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
-	int rc;
 	u32 base;       /* SRAM byte address of event log header */
 	u32 capacity;   /* event log capacity in # entries */
 	u32 mode;       /* 0 - no timestamp, 1 - timestamp recorded */
@@ -1800,12 +1790,6 @@ static void iwl3945_dump_nic_event_log(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 		return;
 	}
 
-	rc = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (rc) {
-		IWL_WARN(priv, "Can not read from adapter at this time.\n");
-		return;
-	}
-
 	/* event log header */
 	capacity = iwl_read_targ_mem(priv, base);
 	mode = iwl_read_targ_mem(priv, base + (1 * sizeof(u32)));
@@ -1817,7 +1801,6 @@ static void iwl3945_dump_nic_event_log(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	/* bail out if nothing in log */
 	if (size == 0) {
 		IWL_ERR(priv, "Start IWL Event Log Dump: nothing in log\n");
-		iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 		return;
 	}
 
@@ -1833,7 +1816,6 @@ static void iwl3945_dump_nic_event_log(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	/* (then/else) start at top of log */
 	iwl3945_print_event_log(priv, 0, next_entry, mode);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 }
 
 static void iwl3945_irq_tasklet(struct iwl_priv *priv)
@@ -1952,11 +1934,8 @@ static void iwl3945_irq_tasklet(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 		priv->isr_stats.tx++;
 
 		iwl_write32(priv, CSR_FH_INT_STATUS, (1 << 6));
-		if (!iwl_grab_nic_access(priv)) {
-			iwl_write_direct32(priv, FH39_TCSR_CREDIT
-					     (FH39_SRVC_CHNL), 0x0);
-			iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-		}
+		iwl_write_direct32(priv, FH39_TCSR_CREDIT
+					(FH39_SRVC_CHNL), 0x0);
 		handled |= CSR_INT_BIT_FH_TX;
 	}
 
@@ -2131,10 +2110,6 @@ static int iwl3945_verify_inst_full(struct iwl_priv *priv, __le32 *image, u32 le
 
 	IWL_DEBUG_INFO(priv, "ucode inst image size is %u\n", len);
 
-	rc = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (rc)
-		return rc;
-
 	iwl_write_direct32(priv, HBUS_TARG_MEM_RADDR,
 			       IWL39_RTC_INST_LOWER_BOUND);
 
@@ -2155,7 +2130,6 @@ static int iwl3945_verify_inst_full(struct iwl_priv *priv, __le32 *image, u32 le
 		}
 	}
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 
 	if (!errcnt)
 		IWL_DEBUG_INFO(priv,
@@ -2179,10 +2153,6 @@ static int iwl3945_verify_inst_sparse(struct iwl_priv *priv, __le32 *image, u32
 
 	IWL_DEBUG_INFO(priv, "ucode inst image size is %u\n", len);
 
-	rc = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (rc)
-		return rc;
-
 	for (i = 0; i < len; i += 100, image += 100/sizeof(u32)) {
 		/* read data comes through single port, auto-incr addr */
 		/* NOTE: Use the debugless read so we don't flood kernel log
@@ -2203,8 +2173,6 @@ static int iwl3945_verify_inst_sparse(struct iwl_priv *priv, __le32 *image, u32
 		}
 	}
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-
 	return rc;
 }
 
@@ -2528,20 +2496,11 @@ static int iwl3945_set_ucode_ptrs(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
 	dma_addr_t pinst;
 	dma_addr_t pdata;
-	int rc = 0;
-	unsigned long flags;
 
 	/* bits 31:0 for 3945 */
 	pinst = priv->ucode_code.p_addr;
 	pdata = priv->ucode_data_backup.p_addr;
 
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	rc = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (rc) {
-		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-		return rc;
-	}
-
 	/* Tell bootstrap uCode where to find image to load */
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, BSM_DRAM_INST_PTR_REG, pinst);
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, BSM_DRAM_DATA_PTR_REG, pdata);
@@ -2553,13 +2512,9 @@ static int iwl3945_set_ucode_ptrs(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	iwl_write_prph(priv, BSM_DRAM_INST_BYTECOUNT_REG,
 				 priv->ucode_code.len | BSM_DRAM_INST_LOAD);
 
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
-
 	IWL_DEBUG_INFO(priv, "Runtime uCode pointers are set.\n");
 
-	return rc;
+	return 0;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -2612,7 +2567,6 @@ static void iwl3945_init_alive_start(struct iwl_priv *priv)
  */
 static void iwl3945_alive_start(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 {
-	int rc = 0;
 	int thermal_spin = 0;
 	u32 rfkill;
 
@@ -2637,15 +2591,8 @@ static void iwl3945_alive_start(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 
 	priv->cfg->ops->smgmt->clear_station_table(priv);
 
-	rc = iwl_grab_nic_access(priv);
-	if (rc) {
-		IWL_WARN(priv, "Can not read RFKILL status from adapter\n");
-		return;
-	}
-
 	rfkill = iwl_read_prph(priv, APMG_RFKILL_REG);
 	IWL_DEBUG_INFO(priv, "RFKILL status: 0x%x\n", rfkill);
-	iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
 
 	if (rfkill & 0x1) {
 		clear_bit(STATUS_RF_KILL_HW, &priv->status);
@@ -2791,13 +2738,8 @@ static void __iwl3945_down(struct iwl_priv *priv)
 	iwl3945_hw_txq_ctx_stop(priv);
 	iwl3945_hw_rxq_stop(priv);
 
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
-	if (!iwl_grab_nic_access(priv)) {
-		iwl_write_prph(priv, APMG_CLK_DIS_REG,
-					 APMG_CLK_VAL_DMA_CLK_RQT);
-		iwl_release_nic_access(priv);
-	}
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
+	iwl_write_prph(priv, APMG_CLK_DIS_REG,
+				APMG_CLK_VAL_DMA_CLK_RQT);
 
 	udelay(5);
 
@@ -4288,6 +4230,11 @@ static int iwl3945_pci_probe(struct pci_dev *pdev, const struct pci_device_id *e
 	 * PCI Tx retries from interfering with C3 CPU state */
 	pci_write_config_byte(pdev, 0x41, 0x00);
 
+	/* this spin lock will be used in apm_ops.init and EEPROM access
+	 * we should init now
+	 */
+	spin_lock_init(&priv->reg_lock);
+
 	/* amp init */
 	err = priv->cfg->ops->lib->apm_ops.init(priv);
 	if (err < 0) {