Wireless Upgrade for T40 2373-12M

[Core Share]

Hello,

I have an IBM ThinkPad T40 2373-12M, from 2003.

It did not have a mini-PCI WiFi card preinstalled.

Some eight years down the track I've decided that it's high time that I did so.

I have found this very informative thread:

Wireless Upgrade
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=97758

Some questions I have about my particular model and the challenge ahead:

1. Can I install a Mini-PCI WiFi Card in this model?

2. Is there an inbuilt WiFi antenna, in this model, that can be connected to the card?

3. Will the Mini-PCI WiFi card installation require major laptop surgery?

4. Finally, what are compatible cards for my 2373-12M and what would be recommended vendors?

Any assistance with these questions most gratefully apprised.

Thank you.

[RealBlackStuff]

1) yes
2) yes (2 antennas, grey cable = Main, black = Aux.)
3) you only need to take off keyboard and palmrest (get the HMM here: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-46464)
4) Intel 2200BG (good), Intel 2915BG (not so good), Atheros AR5213 (often preferred)
All available on e.g. eBay for ~$10.-
It is advisable to get a MiniPCI card with an IBM P/N or FRU.
If not available, non-IBM cards are likely to throw an Error 1802: unauthorised card.
This error can easily be fixed by applying the BIOS hack from: http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Problem_w ... twork_card
Scroll down to where you find:
You can use the no-1802 and no-01C9 Linux Live CD without applying the no-01C9 patch. It is very convenient to use and based on the C code below. and click on that CD link.

[Core Share]

Dear RBS,

Thank you very much for your timely and detailed response!

An Atheros AR5213, via eBay, is winging it's way, I shall report in due course.

Thank you.

BR, CS.