Thinkpads Forum

After searching endlessly, I am ready to throw in the towel and just make a thread about it.

I have a T60 2623KFU. Bought it in the states, so it came with the EVDO modem and is locked to Verizon. However, being in Beijing, this poses a problem, seeing as I very very much want to use it.

*Flurry of questions*
How can I unlock it?
Can I unlock it?
Is there a place for a SIM card?
Will it work on a CDMA2000 1x network?
If the MC5720 card in it now is crap, what can I use in it's place that WILL work?

I have seen the thinkwiki guys talking about just popping in a sim card under the battery after getting an unlock from Vodafone, but on this machine there is a piece of rubber secured to where I assume there would otherwise be a setup to accept a SIM card.

Any help?

Also, the wireless randomly drops for no reason from time to time.
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG. Is this a driver issue or a hardware issue?

Verizon uses CDMA so it doesn't use a SIM, the AT&T card would be the GSM counterpart but i'm not sure if it can be unlocked. The CDMA one can't be and only works for Verizon (maybe Sprint in the US will activate the ESN since they both use CDMA as well as Telus in Canada)

SHoTTa35 wrote:Verizon uses CDMA so it doesn't use a SIM, the AT&T card would be the GSM counterpart but i'm not sure if it can be unlocked. The CDMA one can't be and only works for Verizon (maybe Sprint in the US will activate the ESN since they both use CDMA as well as Telus in Canada)

Ok, that leads to the next question. What can I swap it with so I can make it take a SIM?

you basically would need a GSM version which uses the Express mini-pci slot. They should be available from Lenovo china i guess for the ones over there. Maybe check ebay or something too but finding. You can also get the Express PC card version and use it in that which should be available from your cell provider in china.

laowai wrote:Is there a place for a SIM card?

If you decide to use an internal GSM card, the SIM card holder is FRU #41W1353 and can be installed easily after removing the keyboard.

Assuming you are using the same frequency bands as Europe is, the card to get is the Sierra Wireless MC8755. There are some other cards (including the MC8765) but you may be stuck with an 1804 error at boot time if your T60 does not recognize the card (and there is no fix yet at least for the 1804 error).

I think the relevant part numbers are 42T0835 and 42T0801.

Very interesting.
Would there be any cheaper ways of exhange between the MC5720 (which i have now) and a MC8755?
They charge a hefty $500 for the MC5720 here....
It's the same people who sell T60ps for three times as much as they sell for in the US.

The resellers have those cards for $575 in the US.

The inexpensive option is to get a PC card or ExpressCard WAN adapter.