T23 and WPA (upgrading WiFi card's firmware)?

[Atlantispl86]

Is there any chance to get WPA or even WPA2 on my ThinkPad T23?
I have Actiontec 802MIP mPCI card with 56k modem integrated. Recently I downloaded firmware update from lenovo site and tried to use it. Unfortunately application showed BSOD and performed system restart (lucky before doing any mess inside card's firmware).

I know there is blockade inside BIOS, preventing instalation of other cards, such as Atheros or Intel 2200. Besides Actiontec has also modem integrated, which I will lose by replacing WiFi card...

[RealBlackStuff]

The Actiontec/Modem card is the only wifi-card on the market that integrates a modem. It can not be 'updated'.
When you put in a wifi card, you may encounter the 1802-error and/or the 01C9 error, but these can be easily fixed, see here and here
By putting in any other wifi-card, you will lose your modem, but hardly anyone needs that nowadays.

[Atlantispl86]

The Actiontec/Modem card is the only wifi-card on the market that integrates a modem. It can not be 'updated'.
When you put in a wifi card, you may encounter the 1802-error and/or the 01C9 error, but these can be easily fixed, see here and here
By putting in any other wifi-card, you will lose your modem, but hardly anyone needs that nowadays.

Yes, of course. Simply I don't like to reduce capabilities of my hardware if it is not necessary. However now I see, that it is.
Am I need another laptop with miniPCI slot and BIOS without any similar blockade (or miniPCI - PCI adaptor) to perform this operation?
Is it possible from the same "locked" ThinkPad?

What with another cards, like mentioned Intel 2200?

BTW Can loose modem connector from deafult card made any short-circuit on the new one?

BTW2 is it possible to simply use card from newer ThinkPad, such as T4x?

[RealBlackStuff]

No, you do this on your T23.
You do need to burn a CD from the the downloaded .iso file, but anybody with a burner can do that (for you).
Read the instructions on the Thinkwiki on how to do this.

As long as it is a miniPCI (and not miniPCIe) any b/g wifi card would do, incl. cards from T4x and R5x.
Quite popular are the Intel 2200bg, the Broadcom BMC94306MP, and of course any Atheros-based cards.
The T23 modem cable is insulated, so no worry about short-circuits.

[Atlantispl86]

And if I will use WiFi card from T42 for example, I won't have to change anything inside card's firmware?

[jronald]

No changes to the card, but you will need to do the CD hack. As long as the card will physically fit, and you have the drivers, it will work. It was one of the first mods I did to my t23's

Ron

[Atlantispl86]

So cards from newer ThinkPads (e.g. T42) also generates error 1802/01C9 on post screen?

[RealBlackStuff]

yes

[jronald]

Do the hack, its painless

Ron

[Atlantispl86]

Ok, first I will have to buy an Atheros and do something with dying DVD on my T23 (read: I also have to buy replacement) because now it is also very unlikely to boot this CD.

[jronald]

I have many of these floating around in several laptops
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT
The cheapest I have gotten them for is $4.99 shipped. Ignore the fact that it says Toshiba. But you can install the Toshiba drivers. I always install the Atheros drives and be done with it.

This is the best one I have used
http://cgi.ebay.com/Everex-NC1501-NC150 ... 3ef0fff15b
By far gave me the best range, once again with the Atheros drivers.

The Intel 2200 is also a good card
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid ... intel+2200
I have watched and picked these up for $8.99 shipped on occasion.
RBS likes Broadcom, with I have used in a couple of builds, but not lately

My 2 cents worth
Ron