I've heard that some Thinkpads can only accept IBM's internal wireless cards. I think this is a problem with the T40 line. My question is, does anyone know if X30s can take other internal cards (ie Dell TrueMobile miniPCI series)??
miniPCI wireless cards for IBM ThinkPad
- Thread starter PMFleXXX
- Start date
IBM BIOSes will reject any miniPCI card that does not identify itself as IBM branded. Someone at Arstechnica tried to install a Dell miniPCI on an X31, but the BIOS rejected the card.
It sucks, considering that IBM charges $99 for the Intel 802.11b miniPCI when the same item costs $29 from Dell. Some idio... I mean customers... defend IBM and say that the card needs LOTS of extra validation blah blah blah, which is complete BS since it's a standard Intel part, just with an IBM identifier.
If you're going to upgrade to miniPCI wireless, go for the IBM 802.11a/b/g adapter. It costs... $99... exactly the same amount as the Intel part. It's a no brainer.
The only problem is that IBM severely underestimated demand for these parts - I ordered my 802.11a/b/g card a month ago and it's still not here. I talked to a sales rep and he says the number of backorders is in the thousands... great move IBM
That's what they get for not offering reasonable prices on the less flexible miniPCI cards.
It sucks, considering that IBM charges $99 for the Intel 802.11b miniPCI when the same item costs $29 from Dell. Some idio... I mean customers... defend IBM and say that the card needs LOTS of extra validation blah blah blah, which is complete BS since it's a standard Intel part, just with an IBM identifier.
If you're going to upgrade to miniPCI wireless, go for the IBM 802.11a/b/g adapter. It costs... $99... exactly the same amount as the Intel part. It's a no brainer.
The only problem is that IBM severely underestimated demand for these parts - I ordered my 802.11a/b/g card a month ago and it's still not here. I talked to a sales rep and he says the number of backorders is in the thousands... great move IBM
thanks for your answer, i'll look up the details of these adapters on IBM's website. I was afraid i'd be left with little choice but spend another $100 on this laptop....
i don't get it...what in that post alludes to the notion that we wouldn't have to wait for the backordered card (assuming we don't have a card that is currently malfunctioning)?
i just read of some people getting other vendors cards to work with their thinkpads... so i'm still at a loss... however, since I never owned an internal card, i don't see how i could call them up demanding a replacement ASAP.
What I'm suggesting is that you call IBM and order the card via its FRU number, not online. The FRU parts take priority to the ones ordered online, as it's a warranty service issue rather than an online sale. All it'll take is a 5 minute phone call, and they'll ship a card out right away.
ok so what's the FRU #, and can I order with that if they don't have a record of me ever owning an mPCI card from them in the past?
ok last question... is there any difference between FRU Part # 91P7301 and part # 31P9701 (part # for the mPCI card given to me by IBM)??
That little trick doesn't seem to work for everyone
I assume they made a mistake doing that for you Olliebg.
also that part is so backordered they don't even recognize it in the website anymore also
part exchand though warranty are generally swaped same item for same item in return and
the warranty dept. can not and will not order a part for you.
just got off the phone with them.
I assume they made a mistake doing that for you Olliebg.
also that part is so backordered they don't even recognize it in the website anymore also
part exchand though warranty are generally swaped same item for same item in return and
the warranty dept. can not and will not order a part for you.
just got off the phone with them.
One is the FRU number, the other is the web store part number.
I've ordered parts from them without sending back the old part for an exchange many times for work. I just call, order the FRU, and have them send me an invoice.
Well just tried to order though the warranty dept. they said they cannot place an oder for a part
Asked to do a warranty exchange and they said they can only exchange the same part for the same part
Called the sales and this FRU doesn't come up as an orderable item.
Then gave the website part number and they are not taking orders for this part now as it's to back ordered and they have no ETA.
Asked to do a warranty exchange and they said they can only exchange the same part for the same part
Called the sales and this FRU doesn't come up as an orderable item.
Then gave the website part number and they are not taking orders for this part now as it's to back ordered and they have no ETA.
I checked on the status of my order (placed October 13th), and the website says "inventory expected in 2 weeks".
my question is: why do you need a mini-pci? what are the drawbacks of a pcmcia card such that you need a mini-pci card? (i ask because i am planning to get a laptop with wireless, so i wanna know.)
the pcmcia card's biggest drawback is that the end of the card always sticks out the side of the laptop. the problem isn't how it looks, but that you have to take it out and store it seperately everytime you put your laptop in your bag. also, and even more annoying is everytime i bring the laptop back standby or hibernate mode, it says "wireless connection lost" and i get about 10 popups from all my programs saying that there is no internet connection before the pcmcia finally kicks in. i don't know if this is an issue with internal wireless laptops. i would imagine that those are always connected when on.
good post by PMFleXXX, but the last point is probably not accurate (you said that minipci cards would be always connected when on). my reasoning is that when you connect a regular ethernet cable to the laptop and standby/hibernate, when you bring the laptop back you'll still lose the connection. seems to me that the same thing would happen with the minipci card.
that's just a guess though...if anyone knows for sure do tell.
that's just a guess though...if anyone knows for sure do tell.
The IBM's have Two dual band ant's installed in them--most newer Gen Tp's anyway. Using a PCMCIA card would cost you more in battery life, and in wireless range to the AP. That's why on the IBM's it's better to go Mini PCI.
Guess I should post an update 
I finally did get my mPCI 802.11a/b/g card from IBM. Put it in the MiniPCI slot, loaded up the lastest IBM drivers and Access Connections software, and it works great now.
I've tested the 802.11b and 802.11g modes, and the performance of the wireless system as a whole is superb. Haven't found an 802.11a network to test yet.
I finally did get my mPCI 802.11a/b/g card from IBM. Put it in the MiniPCI slot, loaded up the lastest IBM drivers and Access Connections software, and it works great now.
I've tested the 802.11b and 802.11g modes, and the performance of the wireless system as a whole is superb. Haven't found an 802.11a network to test yet.
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