New owner of a T23...Wifi and DVD question

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LPC · #1 Post by **LPC** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 8:44 am

Hi all,

I just purchased a 2647-8PU from Dorronto. I need to add a DVD drive and Wifi. I am trying to stay within my $250 budget and have $40 left.

DVD: I have been looking on ebay for this. I have read if the drive is not IBM then the button will not match. What is the part number I should be looking for? Also what is a fair used price for these? I was guessing around $15.

WiFi:

I would really like to go the MiniPCI route. Issues I am concerned with are cost and reception.
Would it more cost effective for me to go with a PMCIA card?
If I go with a minipci I would be willing to spend a little more to make it a good setup. I was thinking of swapping the lid from a T23 with factory installed antennas. There is a guy selling one in the market place forum. Cost wise what am I looking at minipci card, antennas, prewired t23 lid.....anything else needed?

I know some cards needed the no-1802 patch....so what cards would be recommended for best cost effectiveness and least hassle?

I have been searching and reading, but I though I would start a thread also.
Thanks for all the help

phool@round · #2 Post by **phool@round** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:27 am

Try these first,

Use this site: http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:T23

And download this: ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mo ... 2p9631.pdf

They should answer nearly all of your questions with the exception of range versus cost. With freshly loaded FRU's, do a little shopping on ol Ebay.

LPC · #3 Post by **LPC** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:37 am

Thanks....Ill start reading.

#4 Post by **carbon_unit** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:32 am

If the DVD drive is not for a T2x series IBM the face plate won't match and it may block the use of the Ultrabay eject lever or the tray may not close until you cut a notch for the eject lever.
Also the master/slave IDE designation is set in the drives firmware, not with jumpers. If you get a drive that is not designated properly, you will have problems using it.

#5 Post by **rkawakami** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:58 am

LPC wrote:I just purchased a 2647-8PU from Dorronto. I need to add a DVD drive and Wifi. I am trying to stay within my $250 budget and have $40 left.

For the DVD, you need to look for an Ultrabay 2000 unit. I believe that there are a whole bunch of FRUs for them, depending upon the manufacturer and speed. For a simple DVD reader, you might be able to get one for $15, but maybe not including shipping.

As far as the wireless situation goes, yes, a PCMCIA card would be more cost effective (and easier to install). To get built-in wireless (MiniPCI) you have to go with one of two routes:

- using a factory-supplied lid with the antennas already in place
- installing your own antennas into the base

If the lid that's being sold already has the antennas, then all you need is the MiniPCI card. Otherwise, you would need to spend about $10-$15 for a pair of them (they usually are sold in pairs). I'm in the middle of doing a comparison of various eBay-sourced antennas:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=49382

I do not believe that you will need the no-1802 patch for the T23. Although the only non-IBM card I've installed into a T23 is a Broadcom-based one, so that's not much of a data point. If you stick with the factory MiniPCI wireless card which came in the T23s, you will be able to retain the modem capability.

There are plenty of threads here about installing wireless cards into a T2x system. Use the Search link at the top of the page and enter:

wireless and antenna*

into the search box, enter my ID (rkawakami) into the author field and restrict the search to the T2x conference.

LPC · #6 Post by **LPC** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 11:25 am

Thanks all for the replies!

I am considering doing a pigtail set up for the Wifi like in this thread
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... inipci+t23
I want to price it out first.

I am still waiting on a reply for the T23 lid the guys says it comes with antennas. I would like this route best as it keeps a stock look.

Could you please list some names of miniPCI and PCMCIA cards I can start to read up on? I have seen Broadcom referenced allot. But I am completely new to this, so any info would be helpful.

Thanks again!

Davemci · #7 Post by **Davemci** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 3:07 pm

I just installed an Atheros AR5004G IBM Part number 39T0384 in my 600X. It isn't listed for your computer on Lenovo's website as supported for your T23, but then it isn't listed as supported for my 600X either. However, Lenovo's drivers installed and worked fine.

iamdmc · #8 Post by **iamdmc** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 6:06 pm

I'm the guy selling the lid with antennas - PM me if interested.

phool@round · #9 Post by **phool@round** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 6:33 pm

I'm the guy selling the lid with antennas - PM me if interested.

LOL......

Now that's what I call service!

iamdmc · #10 Post by **iamdmc** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:24 pm

It's why people love to do repeat business with me.

Check me out at iamdmc918 on eBay for my seller reputation.

joester · #11 Post by **joester** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:26 am

I think I have a spare DVD ROM for T2x TP's.

PM me if you're interested.

LPC · #12 Post by **LPC** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 11:56 am

joester wrote:I think I have a spare DVD ROM for T2x TP's.

PM me if you're interested.

Davemci sold me one for $10

Now just looking into the Wifi set up......

LPC · #13 Post by **LPC** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:10 pm

Rkawakami,

Would you say that the external antenna you installed http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=25953
receives better reception then a stock built in wifi T23 lid?

Or are they about the same?

I have decided to do one of these methods.

#14 Post by **rkawakami** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:05 pm

That 600X external antenna mod was a result of me trying to improve the range over a PCMCIA card and freeing up both card slots. Both of those targets were met with that project. When compared to a T23 with built-in factory wireless antennas, the range is about the same using the "stock" 5 inch RP-SMA antenna. If I really needed additional coverage, I'd replace the small whip antenna with something that has more gain.

As a quick check, I took the 600X to the other side of my house from the AP and ran NetStumbler. It measured an average of -55dBm, after I rotated the system to find the best reception. Since there's only the one antenna and it's mounted off to the side right next to the lid, it is slightly directional. Taking my T23, with a similar Broadcom card and with factory antennas to the same spot, it measured an average of -60dBm, which is a weaker signal (more negative dBm figure is less of a signal). When I moved the systems even further away from the AP, the T23 had a slight edge in signal strength, about 3dBm. So I'd have to say that that particular external antenna performs about the same as a factory setup. To truly compare the antenna systems, I'd have to use the same Broadcom card in each laptop.

If ultimate distance were the goal, I'd attach a parabolic or "cantenna" to the 600X. That option is not possible with the stock T23 without having to open up the MiniPCI panel and connecting a temporary pigtail to the wireless card.

LPC · #15 Post by **LPC** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:18 pm

Thanks Ray for going through all that effort to test them.

Mmmmm I was thinking what if I do both? Since I am going to lose my Nic port anyway could I have one antenna going to the lid and the other going to a cox jack inplace of the nic port? Can a MiniPci support 3 antennas (2 stock in the lid and one to the cox jax)?

Getting alittle to excited I really just need a good conection to my garage......but why not have fun

#16 Post by **rkawakami** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:39 pm

By "losing the NIC port" do you mean that's where you intend to install the antenna jack/route a pigtail? If so, then I'd opt for getting rid of the RJ-11 (modem) jack, unless you depend upon it for dial-up access. Something like this:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=48919

The T23 may have room for a small connector (RP-MMCX or MMCX) below the area where the ribbon cable from the LCD comes down from the lid and plugs into the motherboard. I thought that somebody else here has installed one there but I can't seem to find the post/thread. The only other possible areas I know of is on the back left corner behind the ventilation slot for the CPU. There's a extremely small area in which one could route a coaxial cable out the case, or, if an appropriately sized jack could be found, mounted in that corner. The other place where a small hole could be easily drilled is behind the right hinge, just above and to the right of the S-Video jack (looking at it from the back panel). However, the lid switch may interfere with that spot.

The MiniPCI wireless cards I've seen only have two U.FL jacks. If there's one out there that has three (or more), I'm not aware of it. The factory setup uses two antennas in the lid. They are routed down to the MiniPCI card where each is plugged into its own jack, main or aux. The purpose of the two jacks is to support "diversity" mode where the card automatically picks the strongest signal. If you want to have both an antenna in the lid and an external connection, then just use one of the lid antennas and reserve the second U.FL jack for the external/pigtail connection.

LPC · #17 Post by **LPC** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 7:53 am

"The purpose of the two jacks is to support "diversity" mode where the card automatically picks the strongest signal. If you want to have both an antenna in the lid and an external connection, then just use one of the lid antennas and reserve the second U.FL jack for the external/pigtail connection."

This is what I was thinking of doing....maybe.

Concerning losing the NIC. I was going referring to your quote

"If your system already has the combo modem/ethernet MiniPCI card, you will lose those capabilities if you replace it with a wireless card (you could always use a PCMCIA modem and or ethernet adapter)"

I wanted to keep my modem if possible, but I dont mind losing my Ethernet adapter.

Concerning the Minipci cards, I want something that will be very universal and able to connect to any public "hot" spot available. isn’t the OEM minipci card that retains the modem a 802.11b? Would I need a 802.11a, b, g card to attain my needs?

Website · #18 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 8:26 am

If it helps your situation, you can always choose ANY wireless card (ie. cheaper)...and I can send you a 3-Com/US Robotics PCMCIA 56k modem (model 3056) that has the X-jack style connector that stays inside the card until you are ready to use the modem (you just push the connector and it pops out).

If you are interested in the modem, it's yours for $6 shipped via regular USPS mail....just let me know.

#19 Post by **rkawakami** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:11 pm

@LPC, Ah, it took me a few minutes re-reading this thread before I figured out where you pulled my quote from. When I said that, I was referring to a T22 in this thread:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=50291

The T22 came with a MiniPCI card which had a combo modem/ethernet function. Replacing it with a wireless card would mean losing the ethernet. The T23 has a separate ethernet daughter card (not MiniPCI) so when you pull out the existing MiniPCI card from a T23, you will lose the modem if you don't use a wireless/modem combo card. The factory card is like that but it is/was only an 802.11b. The reason why I pull out those stock cards is that I want to be able to connect to 802.11g systems and I use a modem on a laptop maybe a couple of times in a decade.

As far as universal connection to a wireless access point is concerned, you would probably be justified with using an a/b/g card. Although I don't believe that there's many "a-only" access points, having that capability probably doesn't hurt. If you are thinking about "pre-n" systems, I'd say wait until all of the dust has settled and the standard fixed.

LPC · #20 Post by **LPC** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:42 pm

Thanks Ray for all the help,

I am having a hard time finding 802.11abg cards in my budget, but I found this
http://www.gearxs.com/gearxs/product_in ... ts_id=8534

Cant wait to get my T23 to start all this....

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phool@round · #21 Post by **phool@round** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 1:43 pm

This one is less expensive; Broadcom

#22 Post by **rkawakami** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:01 pm

Those cards appear to be identical to the one I used to upgrade my 600X with internal wireless. You can usually find them with the BCM93406* BCM94306* or BCM4306* searches on eBay. I recently received several Broadcom a/b/g cards (BCM94309MP) which seem to work with my existing drivers, but then again, I don't have an "a" access point to test them with.

LPC · #23 Post by **LPC** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 5:22 am

I found this abg card how can I tell if it will work?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=005

phool@round · #24 Post by **phool@round** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 5:53 am

I found this abg card how can I tell if it will work?

By eyeball

, look at the edge contacts, kinda on the short side of the rectangle....lol.

Cool form factor though.

Here's a link on what form factor it is. http://www.interfacebus.com/Mini_PCI_Express_Bus.html

My Golly, you are excited........

LPC · #25 Post by **LPC** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 7:06 am

My Golly, you are excited........

Yep!!! and even more now as I received my T23 yesterday afternoon!

LPC · #26 Post by **LPC** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 7:22 am

rkawakami wrote: I recently received several Broadcom a/b/g cards (BCM94309MP) which seem to work with my existing drivers, but then again, I don't have an "a" access point to test them with.

Are all these cards with P/N BCM94309MP a/b/g? Looking on ebay the adds are not saying....some say G, some say A/B....?

What to get something tonight.....might just go with what phool@round found.

The wireless LCD lid fell through, so I am going go with the pigtail/external antenna set up for the first antenna and run the second antenna somewhere under the keyboard/palmrest/battery.......think some one would have an extra single wire antenna availible so I dont have to buy a set?

LPC · #27 Post by **LPC** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:08 am

Change of plans.....

I decided to not do the external/pigtail antenna yet....thinking of resale value...

Ideally I would like to swap lids with a stock wifi T23, but I have not been able to find one.....

So I have decided to try to place the antennas in the base of the TP. After lots of reading it looks like the best placement for the main is here:

In looking at the possible locations for putting a WiFi antenna inside the T23 case, the only place I could find that had an unobstructed view to the outside (i.e. no metal in the way) AND was not next to human flesh (to minimize microwave exposure) was at the right side of the case next to the battery compartment. In other words, near the "M" in the IBM logo on the keyboard bezel. There is an area between the end of the battery and the right edge of the laptop case which looks to be enough room to put one antenna there

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c186/ ... s/wifi.jpg

and the aux like this:

Looking even closer at my T23 shell, there may be room near the back of the laptop between the keyboard bezel and the parallel port plug. There's two pieces of plastic which appear to sit atop the parallel port, with enough room between them for an antenna. Here's a picture:

http://www.rkawakami.net/images/t23_antenna2.jpg

It would be a tight squeeze but the antenna would be relatively free of metal in the up and back directions

Concerning the antennas I am unsure still due to total antenna length and size of the end antenna assembly.

I am considering using below for the main
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0156546798

Length is not a problem as I can restring extra or try to shorten. I am concerned about the circuit board......will it fit in under the IBM “M”?

For the aux antenna I am considering
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0158390437
I think it would be long enough, but also the size of the antenna assembly (rubber bulge) concerns me. Will it fit between the keyboard bezel and the parallel port?

Ray?.......

#28 Post by **rkawakami** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 1:11 pm

The main antenna you referenced will fit in that area, but not exactly down at the end of the battery. More like between the battery bay and keyboard bezel. It's flat enough that it should not create a bulge there. You can bend (slightly) the square as it's basically just thick plastic. It's also possible that you can cut the "excess" ground plane off from the rest of the antenna but that might significantly alter the performance of the antenna. The "excess" portion is where the label is printed (see the picture on my antenna comparison site).

The aux antenna (simple "Cisco" wire) may not fit in the area above the parallel port. The thickest part of the antenna measures 0.2" in diameter. That might be too much to squeeze in between the keyboard bezel and the parallel port. It also appears that there's two small plastic hooks which stick downward from the bezel, something which I didn't notice before when suggesting that spot for an antenna. If those are cut off, then maybe it will fit there.

Something else just occurred to me when looking at this antenna... You might be able to simply stick the end of it (the 1" or so) up out of one of the ventilation holes in the keyboard bezel just to the left of the LCD cable. Taped or epoxied there, it might be able to "see" enough of the radio signal to help with reception towards the back of the system, which the "main" antenna would be blind to.

LPC · #29 Post by **LPC** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:19 am

Ray thanks for all the info....your help as been invaluable!

Great idea of sticking the wire out of the ventilation holes. I could even weave the wire into the ventilation grill.....

Thanks again.

New owner of a T23...Wifi and DVD question

New owner of a T23...Wifi and DVD question

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