Adding WiFi to a T43

[mark-ibmtp]

I'm looking at a T43 that doesn't have WiFi (although it seems to have the WiFi indicator-light mask below the LCD). The seller says that it has the mini PCI slot (perhaps they all do).

My understanding is that the WiFi card uses an antenna in the T43's lid.

Do all T43s come with this antenna, even if they weren't shipped with WiFi? Does the presence of the WiFi "mask" at the left-hand end of the indicator light row give any meaningful clue?

Thanks!

[Neil]

I'm not certain that all T43 have antennas, but I've never seen one that didn't. However, if you will enter your machines full seven character type number into Quick Path you can see how yours was configured from the factory. You will see, either which wifi card it was shipped with, or if it had none but did have antenna, it will read "wifi ready".

[ajkula66]

ALL T43s have left the factory "wireless ready" if not with the card itself installed.

You have to remove the keyboard and palmrest in order to access the mini PCI slot.

Be advised that T43/p units are *very* picky when it comes to wireless cards, even the ones with a FRU number on them, and that "no-1802" hack does not work on them, unlike the previous ThinkPads.

The cards that DO work (must have a FRU number):

a) Intel 2200BG

b) IBM (Atheros-chipped) b/g and a/b/g adapter II only

c) Intel 2915ABG

Have fun.

[mark-ibmtp]

Thanks, this is helpful info! I can take the Intel 2200 out of my dead T43, so compatibility should not be a problem.

[lukee]

Altough no-1802 hack will not work on T43 series, no-2010 modded BIOS bypasses this error too.

[Xenomorph]

If your T43 does have the antennas, keep in mind that you can use an N adapter.
I purchased an 802.11n adapter off eBay for my T43. I forgot which model, but I know it was mentioned on this forum (that is how I found it). It was recommended because it works with the 2 antennas in the T43 (many N cards require 3 antenna connections because of MIMO).

Since its an after-market card, I have to "jumper" one pin. Basically, just cram a little wire in with the card at a certain spot and then connect it to metal on the board to ground it. This gets the WiFi LED working for a non-ThinkPad WiFi card.

Now my T43 connects at 72-150Mbp/s or something. :3