T23 Internal WiFi

[ErikD]

I have searched and found many helpful posts on adding the internal WiFi to a T23 which came without it. I haven't run across the bit of information that I am curious about.

What happens to the wired connection when this is done with a non IBM card? It looks to me that the NIC is on the daughter card, which connects to the miniPCI modem on my laptop. I don't care about the modem, so losing it is no big deal. However I do want to keep my wired connection, does that mean I need to search out a replacement card that has a connector for the ethernet daughter card?

Thanks in advance

[fotel]

I did the same, lost the crappy modem, but the wired NIC is working as it was before. Be careful how you install the internal antennas for the Wifi card, the metal parts can decrease your signal significantly.

[rkawakami]

You are correct. The ethernet connection is provided by the small, 2"x1", CDC (communication daugther card). It is located next to the MiniPCI slot and should be secured by two screws and have a blue connector plugged into it. You will not lose your wired connection if you swap out the MiniPCI modem.

[ErikD]

So then I take it that the connector between the CDC and miniPCI is for modem functionality, not ethernet?

I might try this just for kicks as I have a few extra cards. Don't really need the wifi in this as I mainly use my T40.

Thanks

[rkawakami]

Assuming that you have a non-wireless T23, the MiniPCI card should be a modem-only unit. There should be a very tiny connector that plugs into the modem at the corner farthest away from the CDC ethernet card. There are two connectors on thin ribbon cables, one going to the CDC, the other to the modem, which DO connect to a common interface on the motherboard.

Here's a picture of the T23 MiniPCI bay