Thinkpads Forum

My T61 type 7659-BS6 reports no Bluetooth device present. Didn't all T6X series come with Bluetooth? Is there something missing in my particular unit? How do I check?

Most T61 machines, but not all, came with BT.
Yours doesn't have BT to begin with!
ThinkPad T61 (7659-BS6)
Based on 7659-12U: T7300(2GHz), 1GB RAM, 80GB 5400rpm HD, 14.1in 1280x800, Intel X3100, CDRW/DVD, Intel 802.11agn(n-disabled), Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 6c Li-Ion, WinVista Home Basic 32

OK - Thanks for the QUICK response. It'll be a dongle for me!

Another simple way to tell is to look at your clearplate on the bottom of your display. You should see no Bluetooth icon on it.

My ThinkPad T61 (7661-LP3) I'm typing on right now has no Bluetooth:
Based on 7661-11U: T8300(2.4GHz), 1GB RAM, 80GB 5400rpm HD, 14.1in 1280x800 LCD, Intel X3100, CDRW/DVD, Intel 802.11agn wireless(n-disabled), Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, 4c Li-Ion, WinXP Pro

but another ThinkPad T61 (7663-11U) I have lying around has Bluetooth:
T7100(1.8GHz), 1GB RAM, 80GB 5400rpm HD, 14.1in 1440x900 LCD, 128MB nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M, CDRW/DVD, Intel 802.11agn(n-disabled), Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 6c Li-Ion, WinVista Business

and of course also has the Bluetooth icon on its clearplate ready to light up.

Real simple stuff. But one thing I wanted to add is that you also have the option of installing Bluetooth pretty easily and avoid having to use a USB dongle which sticks out slightly.

The 14.1" WXGA T61 LCD service parts list may be slightly incomplete but is a great reference: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/product ... MIGR-67914

As you can see all you need is a Bluetooth daughter card FRU 39T0497. They're pretty inexpensive (I have them available). It's the same little plug-on module used in the T60 series. And as far as I can tell all T61 14.1" widescreen LCD cables came with the Bluetooth connector shown in the diagram of the cable you see there. One side of the cable connects the inverter, the other side the Bluetooth daughter card. It's just that the non-Bluetooth models shipped without the little Bluetooth card attached to the LCD cable. So all you have to do is pop one on and you'll have Bluetooth. You just won't have the Bluetooth icon unless you change the clearplate.

Pretty simple to install. Just remove the 3 bottom screws of the LCD front bezel and, if it's the first time your LCD has been opened, carefully lift up the bottom portion of that front bezel. They use industrial strength glue to stick it down so it's a little bit of a tug of war so be careful not to damage the bottom of your LCD panel or crack the front bezel plastic- be gentle and patient. But then you will see on the left side an empty spot on the bottom of the LCD cable where you attach Bluetooth daughter card FRU 39T0497. Takes about 5 minutes in all to do and no external dongle needed. When I open the bottom LCD case of my T61 7661-LP3 which came without Bluetooth, I have that empty slot on the LCD cable available. There's also an empty screw hole there for you to bolt down the Bluetooth module.

P.S. My instructions are very detailed and long-winded so not only you but also newbies may benefit and perform this upgrade on their T61

Have a great day,
Daniel.

Yes I noted the missing icon, but that didn't convince me that it was missing.
I very much appreciate your explanation of getting BT "inside," but a dongle is not that obtrusive and doesn't require dismantling the unit. Besides, they're cheap.

It really is very easy to add and if you use a dongle, then you'll probably need 3rd party drivers which hopefully will work with windows seven, but what about windows 8, windows 9, windows 10, or linux??? will that company continue to update the drivers, will they even care in a few years? This is the problem with 3rd party products like this. One example is I purchased a wifi "N" adapter. I wanted one I could transfer from laptop to laptop, so I got a PCcard from one of the biggest manufactures (dLink), and when I updated to windows seven I went to their website only to find out that support for my product was discontinued... how could this be??? I only bought it months ago, it was brand new in a seal box, yet they refuse to support it and no new drivers will ever be made for it??? This was back in 2008 when my first T61 was new and this card support was discontinued in 2007, yet no expiration on the box, no warning at all.

I since have installed an Intel pro card in my laptop. I still have the dlink card and I use it every now and then, but my point is the genuine internal part will be supported for decades, as long as thinkpads are still being made, the dongles won't, even if you get a brand name.

I strongly recommend you get one from thinkpad lover, I'm sure he doesn't want much for them, and if he doesn't have one in stock, then I'll offer you one. A genuine part beats the generic everytime.

However I encourage you to form your own opinion, if you're happy with a dongle, then that's all that matters. I'm only offering you one opinion, but the opinion that really matters is yours, since it's your computer.

Good Luck

Cogent comments, well presented. I thank you for your time and effort; and I'm sure other appreciate them also.