T23 Integrated wireless or PCMCIA

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califas · #1 Post by **califas** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 3:31 pm

Ive been scouring for a used T23 and have found out that machines with motherboard integrated WiFi are hard to come by. Would it be a better option to get a non Wifi T23 and put in somethink like a 3Com Xjack 802.11b/g card. From what i've read the integrated WiFi has better reception but a PCMCIA card would have b/g? If you had a choice between the two which would you prefer and why.

TIA
Roger
Helpless Newbie

cj3209 · #2 Post by **cj3209** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 3:46 pm

I don't believe there is such a thing as "integrated to the motherboard wifi." It's usually just an internal wireless mini pci card. Even the Centrino hype is just an Intel-badged mini pci card - it's not really integrated with the mobo at all.

As for the pcmcia wireless adaptor, I don't recommend this as it sticks out and has a tendency to get hit or dislodged. I had a friend who dislodged his mobo after hitting the pcmcia card!

I say, just buy a decent mini pci card (atheros, lucent, orinoco, etc.) and install it yourself.

cheers,

califas · #3 Post by **califas** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 4:11 pm

I think you are right about it being a internal wireless mini pci card. But for this to work i would need an antenna which would add cost and headache.

cj3209 · #4 Post by **cj3209** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 4:22 pm

I'm not familiar with the T23 series but you would need to get what they call a 'wireless-ready' notebook - which really just means that it has an antennae, usually on the screen sides.

Good luck!

PS: There are USB wireless alternatives as well.

skanky · #5 Post by **skanky** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 4:31 pm

i have a "wireless ready" T40 and brought a IBM a/b/g card which is a little unreliable to say the least, im not sure if its the antenna or the card or the connection.

i have a netgear wg511 that i use in a X21 and the connection is much more stable, albeit with the thing sticking out of the side :/

cj3209 · #6 Post by **cj3209** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 4:44 pm

I would check to see if your card needs a firmware update and make sure that one (some have two) antennae connections are connected firmly to the card - it's those tiny little round connectors. Also try reseating the card.

Good luck!

skanky · #7 Post by **skanky** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 4:54 pm

how/where can i check the firmware of the card (i assume you mean the a/b/g's firmware?)

i'll try reseating it again.

i did have to reseat it the first time i installed it. the two cables seem to be alittle long for the fit and i have to bend the cable a little bit for it to hook up to the "main" and "aux" connectors.

cj3209 · #8 Post by **cj3209** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 5:07 pm

Most of the wireless cards are made by Orinoco, intel, 3Com, actiontec, etc. I don't believe IBM makes their own cards. My 'IBM' BT/modem daughter card had an Actiontec logo on it. Find out which company made your card and run a search for the newest firmware. Also, IBM support site may have some updated firmware as well.

Good luck!

califas · #9 Post by **califas** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:46 pm

Any other opinions on which one is better?

Zeitgeist · #10 Post by **Zeitgeist** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 2:33 am

califas wrote:Ive been scouring for a used T23 and have found out that machines with motherboard integrated WiFi are hard to come by. Would it be a better option to get a non Wifi T23 and put in somethink like a 3Com Xjack 802.11b/g card. From what i've read the integrated WiFi has better reception but a PCMCIA card would have b/g? If you had a choice between the two which would you prefer and why.

TIA
Roger
Helpless Newbie

Follow flatdraft's instructions in

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... =zeitgeist

and you will be able to upgrade your T23 for about 110 $.

BTW: a mini pci wlan card is installed not "machines with motherboard integrated WiFi "

namezero · #11 Post by **namezero** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 9:12 am

$110 for integrated Wifi?

The only good thing about it is the antennae.

Other than that it's just kind of expensive.

I would rather pay $16 for an Airlink+ Wifi card, force it to install with USR driver.

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