Thinkpads Forum

Hello, is it possible to put an aftermarket WWAN (verizon) in any T60?


Thanks!

T6x won't accept non-Lenovo branded Mini-PCIe due to BIOS check. Lenovo branded MC5720 is relatively inexpensive these days.

Thanks Sugo.

A couple more questions:

1. Is it possible to install a WWAN in any T60? Or did it have to come with it originally from the factory? Reason being that I am looking for a used T60/1. I want to know if I have the option of installing a WWAN (Verizon) down the road if the used machine that I end up with doesn't have one.

2. If so, any idea what it costs? I could not find it on the Lenovo site or ebay using that part number.

Thanks again!

Yes adding a WWAN card after purchase is possible. Take a look this thread.
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... on+upgrade

The HMM has the FRU numbers for the Verizon card/antenna you need:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-62733

fparisi wrote:Is it possible to install a WWAN in any T60?

Absolutely NOT, if you are referring to an internal WWAN card. The motherboard must have the second miniPCI Express socket soldered in place. Chances are that a T60 which does not have the WWAN antenna protrusion on the right hand side of the LCD cover, also is missing the WWAN socket on the motherboard.

If one has the socket but not the antenna, then one can add the antenna. However, if the socket is missing, then an internal WWAN card cannot be added to that machine.

Take off the keyboard and look for the socket at mid-level left side.

This really doesnt make sense to me. Not all T60 motherboards have an extra slot for WWAN? I understand the missing antenna and mini card , but not having the extra slot doesnt seem correct?

It would be more cost effective to have the extra slot on all t60 motherboards.

Is this for real? Do some T60 motherboards not have the WWAN slot? thanks

I installed a internal wwan card (cingular/at&t) into a T60. I had to also purchase the protruding antenna and since it was at&t, a sim card holder. But do check to see if you have the 2nd mini pci adapter, mine was on the left side. Only downside is you need to buy a lenovo branded card and they are quite expensive, but it's nice not having to insert the external card.

Hi, I am hip on to do it, but what I need to know is do ALL T60's have the Motherboard slot and hole for the antenna?

If I purchase a T60 online then I won't be able to see if there is a antenna hole or Motherboard slot.

Thanks.

fparisi wrote:... do ALL T60's have the Motherboard slot and hole for the antenna?...

Not all T60 units have the 2nd miniPCI Express slot. The only way to know for certain is to lift the keyboard and look.

I do not know what you mean by "hole for the antenna". There are 2 antennas for the WWAN card: one is attached under the keyboard bezel and the other is attached to the right side of the LCD panel case. All LCD enclosures have the "cutout" to accept the primary WWAN antenna; one simply removes the blank and install the antenna. The antenna wires do not run through any "holes".

would it be possible to look up in the ltwbook if the T60 is WWAN capable?

fparisi wrote:would it be possible to look up in the ltwbook if the T60 is WWAN capable?

In your situation, nope.

My thinkpad was not configured with WWAN but yet it came with 2nd Mini PCI Express slot, so your best bet is to open up your machine to see whether you've one available or not.

Following video will do:

Mini PCI removal movie - ThinkPad T60/p.

My T60p is also not configured with a WWAN card, but the 2nd Mini PCI Express connector is present - I have seen a approx 50 or so T60's and T60p's of various types and have not come across any without the 2nd Mini PCI Express connector yet.

EOMtp wrote:Not all T60 units have the 2nd miniPCI Express slot

For reference do you know which T60(p) model type(s) does not have the 2nd Mini PCI Express connector?

Peak2Peak wrote:For reference do you know which T60(p) model type(s) does not have the 2nd Mini PCI Express connector?

The list is too large to enumerate here. See Item #19 (System Board Assembly) on the following page:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... R-62741#19
and Item #18 on the following page:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... R-66975#18

EOMtp wrote:The list is too large to enumerate here. See Item #19 (System Board Assembly) on the following page:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... R-62741#19
and Item #18 on the following page:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... R-66975#18

Many thanks for your reply - duly noted - It seems the System boards I have worked on were models with 2nd Mini PCI Express connector present. (Thanks again).