Missing parts to install Atheros wifi card

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GoofyG28 · #1 Post by **GoofyG28** » Mon May 08, 2006 8:42 pm

Uh oh... So I received my custom-built T60 today. I configured it without any wifi card. I added, as an accessory, the Atheros Mini-PCI 11a/b/g card.

I opened up my laptop, and I can't find the red/blue antenna cables that connect to the card (watch video here). Also, because no card was configured, there are no screws, either! The separately-shipped Atheros package only contains the card.

Here's a picture from http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-62823:

What do I do? I do see a white + black connectors that are wrapped up, possible for some other card (Verizon EDVO?), because they are not long enough to reach the wifi card. Plus, they're coming from the top of the laptop, not the side.

THANKS!

astro · #2 Post by **astro** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:04 pm

Ack!

So does this mean you don't have the UltraConnect antennas in the side of the display as well? It seems like this might be the case!

#3 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:33 pm

Wrong movie. That is for the wireless WAN (read cellular) card. You need a movie for the wireless LAN card. I don't see one, doing a quick search.

You can get the information you need from the Hardware Maintenance Manual.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-62733

GoofyG28 · #4 Post by **GoofyG28** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:37 pm

That's the correct movie. I got it from here: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-63959

The card fits perfectly. I just don't have the screws or the default antenna cables that connect to my Atheros mini PCI.

#5 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:43 pm

I saw that page. There is no movie listed there for a wireless LAN card. Again, check the Hardware Maintenance Manual.

Maybe the following links will help you some.

System service parts - ThinkPad T60/p

14.1 inch LCD service parts - ThinkPad T60/p

15 inch LCD service parts - ThinkPad T60/p

GoofyG28 · #6 Post by **GoofyG28** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:46 pm

It's the "Mini PCI Express Card". What else can it be? My card literally fits in there, but I have no screws to hold it down, and there are no red/blue antenna cables to attach to it. I'm on the phone now with Tech Support. Maybe they can help...

Using that last link you provided, looks like I'm missing Part #5. This sucks!

GoofyG28 · #7 Post by **GoofyG28** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:57 pm

What happened was that I did not select a WiFi card when building my system. I didn't want the Intel card, I wanted the Atheros. By doing so, they didn't install the antenna into the LCD assembly! How stupid is that... So now, I have to take it to a dealer nearby to have it installed.

astro · #8 Post by **astro** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:58 pm

GoofyG28 wrote:It's the "Mini PCI Express Card". What else can it be?

You are right about this. The HMM has instructions for both:
"1080 PCI Express Mini Card for Wireless LAN p67"
"1090 PCI Express Mini Card for Wireless WAN p69"

1080 has the pictures that you linked to. The WAN card is up against the left of the computer, under where the left Shift key would be.

It will be interesting to see if you can order the #5 part for the LCD and fit it yourself.

Good luck, mate.

astro · #9 Post by **astro** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:59 pm

GoofyG28 wrote:What happened was that I did not select a WiFi card when building my system. I didn't want the Intel card, I wanted the Atheros. By doing so, they didn't install the antenna into the LCD assembly! How stupid is that...

Sorry mate, but it makes sense to me.

Can you fit it yourself?

EDIT: According to the service parts page, it is CRU=N, so no you can't do it yourself (unless you want to void warranty, I suspect).

GoofyG28 · #10 Post by **GoofyG28** » Mon May 08, 2006 10:03 pm

Yeah, I read that, too. I have to call this contractor and see how long it would take. I don't know if the part will cost me anything since it is extra, but the labor should be free since it's under warranty (my first day of ownership!).

#11 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon May 08, 2006 10:13 pm

My bad. The movie shows how to remove the Wireless WAN card, but at the very end it shows a quick view of the Wireless LAN card and says to follow the same procedure. (I didn't watch the movie all the way through the first time.

astro is correct about locations. The wireless WAN is basically under the left shift key, and the wireless LAN farther up and to the right. Perhaps you are trying to put your wireless LAN card in the WAN card slot. The slots are probably the same since they are both Mini PCI express. The difference is the antenna placement, and perhaps wiring from the slot.

GoofyG28 · #12 Post by **GoofyG28** » Mon May 08, 2006 10:54 pm

Wow, I'm ashamed to say that I'm "good with computers". I had no idea that the slot near the top right is for LAN slot. I didn't even know there was a WAN and LAN slots! Thanks guys! So it turns out, that gray (whitish) and black antenna cables were for the wifi card.

The problem now is, I can't install drivers for it. I thought it would be plug and play, but I've tried the installation CD (it's just a PDF) and let Windows search on the Internet. Nada...

astro · #13 Post by **astro** » Mon May 08, 2006 11:00 pm

GoofyG28 wrote:Wow, I'm ashamed to say that I'm "good with computers". I had no idea that the slot near the top right is for LAN slot. I didn't even know there was a WAN and LAN slots! Thanks guys! So it turns out, that gray (whitish) and black antenna cables were for the wifi card.

That is great, but... What?

Now I'm confused -- it makes sense that they didn't include the antenna, you called them up and they said so, now you find that it is actually there?

I guess it must be cheaper for them to build it in than to customise it at that stage of the build process (it is only a couple wires and probably only costs a few cents).

GoofyG28 · #14 Post by **GoofyG28** » Mon May 08, 2006 11:05 pm

I originally had said that I see two antenna cables that were white and black, coming from the top of the console. Those didn't reach the card, because I was trying to put the card in the WAN mini PCI slot.

hehe..

I'm currently reading this thread to figure out the drivers.

#15 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon May 08, 2006 11:13 pm

I'm pretty sure this is your driver. (Could be wrong)

802.11ab, 802.11bg and 802.11abg Wireless LAN Mini PCI and ThinkPad 802.11bg, ThinkPad 802.11abg Wireless LAN Mini PCI Express adapter software for Windows 2000 and XP - ThinkPad General

GoofyG28 · #16 Post by **GoofyG28** » Tue May 09, 2006 1:08 am

GomJabbar wrote:I'm pretty sure this is your driver. (Could be wrong)

802.11ab, 802.11bg and 802.11abg Wireless LAN Mini PCI and ThinkPad 802.11bg, ThinkPad 802.11abg Wireless LAN Mini PCI Express adapter software for Windows 2000 and XP - ThinkPad General

Yup, that's the one I found and installed. Thanks again, GomJabbar and Astro!

I'm put the wrist pad back together several times now. Somehow, this time, I'm not able to get it super tight. The right side pops up a bit, so when I push hard, it squeaks. Boo... I'll fix it later.

Missing parts to install Atheros wifi card

Missing parts to install Atheros wifi card

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