Expansion on an IBM T41p...

[gopunk]

i want to be able to use bluetooth with my laptop, but all the T41p's with built in bluetooth are really expensive...

so i'm thinking can i somehow just buy a bluetooth thing and attach it? i don't want a usb thing because it'll dangle around... the thinkpads have pccard slots right? it wasn't apparent from the spec sheet on their website... is there anything that the pccard slot would be used for that i would want to keep open (i.e., not use the bluetooth) for? because the lappy comes with ethernet and wifi... so i can't really think of anything else.

i also read something about some smaller expansion thing under the keyboard? can anyone elaborate on this?

 

[Yomicron]

The T4x series have two type I/II (or one type III) pc card slots. It's possible to buy the internal bluetooth card as a replacement part and install it into a non-bluetooth model, but I'm not sure if all the models include the bluetooth antenna.


EDIT: after looking at the parts list for the LCD assembly, it looks like these models have the bluetooth antenna: (this is a list of some T4x systems with the antenna. list last updated 2003-10-28)

2373-2Fx, 32x, 33x, 3Cx, 3Fx, 3Hx, 3Px, 42x, 4Ax, 4Fx, 4Gx, 4Px, 58x, 5Qx, 5Rx, 79x, 91x, 92x, 93x, 94x, 96x, 9Ax, 9Bx, 9Cx, 9Ex, 9Fx, 9Gx, 9Jx, 9Hx, 9Kx, 9Px, 9Rx, A1x,A2x, A8x, A9x, AEx, AFx, AJx, AKx, AMx, BHx, G1x, G2x, G3x, G4x, G5x, G6x
2374-3Hx, 9Cx, 9Px, 9Rx
2378-DEx, EEx, EHx, EKx, EMx, ENx, EPx
2379-D5x, D6U, DJx, ESx

so it would seem possible to buy the bluetooth module (FRU# 91P7315) and install it into some non-bluetooth models.

 

[RichieZ]

the bluetooth/modem cdc seems to be a pretty expensive part. Its not listed on the ibm webpage but googling shows it costs about $125.

i'm interested in getting one for my x31 but i'm not sure its really worth the money. A usb dongle would be inconvenient but much cheaper.

 

[Yomicron]

The bluetooth/modem CDC is $88.75 through the IBM Maintenance Parts store, which is still pretty expensive.

 

[RichieZ]

nice find.

also the bluetooth antenna for the t41 is part: 13N5515

 

[gopunk]

ah ok so i'd have to get the bluetooth/modem cdc (what does cdc stand for btw?) (and the bluetooth antenna if the model isn't in that list, put the antenna somewhere around the LCD) and replace the standard modem with the bluetooth/modem combo. cool! thanks guys but will opening it up to switch in the BT module and/or antenna void the warranty?

 

[Yomicron]

CDC stands for Communication Daughter Card, it's a little card located under the keyboard. The CDC is listed as a customer replacable part, but the antenna isn't. The antenna is located inside the LCD frame, installing it could void the warranty.

Also, the non-bluetooth models do not have the bluetooth indicator light and I don't know what parts to replace to get it.

I have a 2373-91U (non-bluetooth, but on the list), tonight I can open it up and check if I have the antenna.



EDIT: I was looking through the Hardware Maintenance Manual (2.7MB PDF) and under the bluetooth antenna section it says

This section is only for the models with the
Bluetooth wireless features. Other models do not have this antenna

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: Yomicron
CDC stands for Communication Daughter Card, it's a little card located under the keyboard. The CDC is listed as a customer replacable part, but the antenna isn't. The antenna is located inside the LCD frame, installing it could void the warranty.

Also, the non-bluetooth models do not have the bluetooth indicator light and I don't know what parts to replace to get it.

I have a 2373-91U (non-bluetooth, but on the list), tonight I can open it up and check if I have the antenna.



EDIT: I was looking through the Hardware Maintenance Manual (2.7MB PDF) and under the bluetooth antenna section it says

This section is only for the models with the
Bluetooth wireless features. Other models do not have this antenna

damn so i guess we're out of luck unless we want to void our warranty and live without an indicator light eh?

why oh why are the BT models so expensive

 

[RichieZ]

Originally posted by: gopunk

Originally posted by: Yomicron
CDC stands for Communication Daughter Card, it's a little card located under the keyboard. The CDC is listed as a customer replacable part, but the antenna isn't. The antenna is located inside the LCD frame, installing it could void the warranty.

Also, the non-bluetooth models do not have the bluetooth indicator light and I don't know what parts to replace to get it.

I have a 2373-91U (non-bluetooth, but on the list), tonight I can open it up and check if I have the antenna.



EDIT: I was looking through the Hardware Maintenance Manual (2.7MB PDF) and under the bluetooth antenna section it says

This section is only for the models with the
Bluetooth wireless features. Other models do not have this antenna

damn so i guess we're out of luck unless we want to void our warranty and live without an indicator light eh?

why oh why are the BT models so expensive

you don't really need the antenna, but i wonder how range will suffer.

I found this ebay auction and they just add a small internal antenna, wonder if it really helps the recption.

click

i might just go ahead and get one, since i just use it to sync w/ my cell phone and use it as a modem when i'm on the go. I'm pretty sure this device is class2(?) the one thats justs 10m range, even 1-2m is good enough for me

 

[WackyDan]

The BT models are the higher end of the T series... Usually find BT more on the high res (1400x1050 screens) and the T4*p models.

 

[aakerman]

wackydan, try reading it again

- I also found it weird, that the p-models with bluetooth and/or a/b/g wireless were so much more expensive, than t4xp's with b-wireless and no bluetooth. It's not like it's an expensive upgrade - a bluetooth receiver, and an upgrade from intel b to ibm abg shouldn't cost more than 150$..

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: aakerman
wackydan, try reading it again

- I also found it weird, that the p-models with bluetooth and/or a/b/g wireless were so much more expensive, than t4xp's with b-wireless and no bluetooth. It's not like it's an expensive upgrade - a bluetooth receiver, and an upgrade from intel b to ibm abg shouldn't cost more than 150$..

ahhhhhhhhh.....My bad.

 

[Yomicron]

Some good news, at least some non-Bluetooth models may have the antenna. I just opened up my 2373-91u and under my Modem CDC tucked into a little pouch, there is a Bluetooth antenna wire.