"WWAN upgradable" Void Warranty?

Performance, hardware, software, general buying and gaming discussion..
Post Reply
Message
Author
SMurf
Posts: 27
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2007 7:22 am
Location: Newport, UK

"WWAN upgradable" Void Warranty?

#1 Post by SMurf » Mon Feb 06, 2012 9:14 am

Hello,

Last week I received a Thinkpad X121e from a major online retailer (name witheld as in dispute). I really like it. It's got a sweet "balance" to it, if you know what I mean. Screen size is just right. 64-bit is swish, even if that seems to require twice as many files in Windows to support everything. Fan isn't annoying and isn't always on.

I spent the money over an Ideapad S205 principally for the TrackPoint, but I think I may be in love. :oops:

Anyways, the only concern I have is that the retailer concerned specified in their blurb "...WLAN, WWAN, BT...". Try as I might, I can't find any Wireless WAN card installed in Device Manager. Pressing Fn+F5 allows me to change the status of the WLAN and the Bluetooth interfaces, but no WWAN. I've looked up the type number in the TABOOK and found that it is listed as "WWAN upgradable". The type number was not provided on the retailer's website before purchase.

Now, I have contacted the retailer and they've said "fine, return it for a refund". Which I could, but... I do like it. Plus I already waited three weeks for it to be delivered, they're pretty much unavailable in the UK now. If I say goodbye... :cry:

So what should I do? As far as I can work out, I could buy an Ericsson F2100gw card and install it myself, but surely opening the chassis would void my warranty? I've tried speaking to Lenovo directly, but can't get a straight answer, and with some of the support scare stories going around, I want to ensure that I'm doing the right thing. :?

RealBlackStuff
Admin
Admin
Posts: 17508
Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2006 5:17 am
Location: Mt. Cobb, PA USA
Contact:

Re: "WWAN upgradable" Void Warranty?

#2 Post by RealBlackStuff » Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:01 am

There should be a sticker with the exact TYPE/Model and/or PRODUCT ID on the laptop's bottom.
What is it?
If your model says WWAN upgradable, it means that the socket and antenna wires are there, but not a WWAN card.
You only need to remove the battery and the bottom door to insert that card and connect the antennas.
This should not void your warranty.
Get the illustrated HMM here: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-74252

A CRU(customer replaceable unit)is identified by a single asterisk(*) or two asterisks(**) in the CRU ID
column.An N in the CRU ID column means that the partis not a CRU. A single asterisk(*) means that the
par is a Self-service CRU;two asterisks(**) means that the part is an Optional-service CRU.
.
WWAN is a **CRU, meaning you can do it yourself. End of story.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)

Check out The Boardroom for Parts, Mods and Other Services.

SMurf
Posts: 27
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2007 7:22 am
Location: Newport, UK

Re: "WWAN upgradable" Void Warranty?

#3 Post by SMurf » Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:09 am

The type is 3051-5XG. I didn't realise the WWAN bay had its own door; I'll have a look later. Thanks :)

RealBlackStuff
Admin
Admin
Posts: 17508
Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2006 5:17 am
Location: Mt. Cobb, PA USA
Contact:

Re: "WWAN upgradable" Void Warranty?

#4 Post by RealBlackStuff » Mon Feb 06, 2012 12:30 pm

It's the whole bottom-panel rather than just a WWAN-sized door.

ThinkPad X121e (3051-5XG)
Fusion E450(1.65GHz),4GB RAM,320GB 7200rpm HD,11.6in 1366x768 LCD,AMD Radeon HD 6320 Graphics,802.11bgn wireless,WWAN option,Bluetooth,1Gb Ethernet,UltraNav,6c Li-Ion,Win7 Home Premium 64
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)

Check out The Boardroom for Parts, Mods and Other Services.

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Thinkpad - General HARDWARE/SOFTWARE questions”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 16 guests