Thinkpads Forum

Currently using a T61p. Perhaps I missed it, but is there a step by step procedure for getting a CDMA card using EVDO Rev A to work on SPRINT's network?

hello i upgraded now to a

DELL XM359 Wireless 5720 EVDO Rev A Sprint Broadband PCI Express MiniCard

and the card shows in device manager and in properties in diagnostics it gives a good response but no matter what i do, i can not make any connection manger work with it.

Fnc/F5 - shows it as disabled
Sprint Smart View - shows not detected
verizon conneciton manger - says hardwar switch nees to be turned to on position
lenovo connection manager - doesnt show it

i tried with and without the tape trick, with the tape it doesnt show at all in the Fnc/F5 menu

anyone have any ideas? thanks in advance


to the friend who wants to swap the card to sprint, if the card is verizon you need to clone the esn to a sprint valid esn, swap the NAM info (phone number/user/login/etc) that matches you sprint valid esn. update the PRL to sprint newest PRL. then you will have 1x data. to get evdo you need to dump the HDR/AKEY/MDN from you valid sprint device ( the one ya got esn from) to make evdo work.

if this is your first time 'cloning' start on something alot easier lol.

if the card is already for sprint just provision it

cheers
disco

discoy2k wrote:hello i upgraded now to a

DELL XM359 Wireless 5720 EVDO Rev A Sprint Broadband PCI Express MiniCard

and the card shows in device manager and in properties in diagnostics it gives a good response but no matter what i do, i can not make any connection manger work with it.

Did you have to do anything to get it to work on your system? I was looking at this card, but from what I am reading it will not work unless you use the bios hack. Also, if you have the Intel ABGN adapter, do you need to remove it to install the Sprint card?

not sure if you read my post or not, but as you can see i am asking fro help with this card, zender was kind enough to help me with the bios mod already, before i had a verizon lenovo MC5720 which is not revA, you can read my posts about howto swap to sprint (of course you will have to clone). but i upgraded to the new card hoping for revA and am having problems getting the laptop to recognize it.


thanks

cheers
disco

Looks like the card has been produced by Sierra Wireless, why not try their generic software?
It would be weird though for the card to disappear with pin 20 taped. Are you sure you've taped the right pin and only the one?

I have allready modified my bios from 2.07 to new 2.16(on my risk) in x61. Card (sierra mc8775 working nice). For now I've to remove it for take out the simlock.
It was no easy for me, I spend a couple of hours to install drivers and turn on fn+f5 function, all of them working perfect. I'm waiting for my unlocked card.
Really Thanks for zender.
You can try beta BIOS(2.16), I did-It works.

discoy2k wrote:not sure if you read my post or not, but as you can see i am asking fro help with this card, zender was kind enough to help me with the bios mod already, before i had a verizon lenovo MC5720 which is not revA, you can read my posts about howto swap to sprint (of course you will have to clone). but i upgraded to the new card hoping for revA and am having problems getting the laptop to recognize it.

Yep I read it. To me it looked like you had it working but did not have some of the other features such as Fn F5 working. Sorry for the confusion.

Zender wrote:Looks like the card has been produced by Sierra Wireless, why not try their generic software?
It would be weird though for the card to disappear with pin 20 taped. Are you sure you've taped the right pin and only the one?

So Zender if I read this right, you just need your hacked bios and tape (or use supper glue to cover) pin 20 on this card for it to work? Do I loose my Intel ABGN adapter if I put one of these cards in?

Thanks!

For *61, you probably only need modified BIOS and no tape. It should be highly probable that your machine has two full size miniPCIe slots, one occupied by your wifi card and the second empty (or could be Intel Turbo Memory? even if so, that's almost useless so you can replace it).
Don't forget though that you'll need some antennas for the card, if your machine isn't WWAN-ready.

{ISV-K}SVX dont know if this helps any but the only 2 laptops i have tried using the wwan cards on are my x60 and x61, the x60 only has 1 slot (where the wifi card is) and i tried to put a wwan card in the spot where the wifi card was originally and it will not work. as far as i can tell it is not possible. but in my x61 which has 2 slots after using zenders bios it recognizes the ABGN wifi card and thw wann card just fine.

cheers
disco

Hi! Zender, fantastic work! I'd like to volunteer my x61. It's only 6months old, with a Thinkpad Protection Plan! Wont be any issue getting it fixed if the worst happens....

I want to use a MC8781 card in it...It also has a legit ABGN card installed.

Can I get the modified BIOS to test?

Thanks...

Thanks for the response guys.

So, thanks Zender and all! This worked fine.

I do have some issues; since I am using a MC8781 card, there aren't any Lenovo drivers, nor is there support for it in the fn+f5 menu. For that matter, Access Connections doesn't recognize it. No matter what combination of install/re-install will cause it to be recognized. I have to rely on AT&T ACM to govern its operation.

There is one anomaly- on boot both the wireless LED and the WWAN LED come on. If I start ACM then shut it down then the WWAN LED goes off.

Other than those simple issues, it works like a stock setup.

As to the install, Zender provided the iso to make a BIOS flash boot CD. For a host of reasons (the biggest point was lack of a suitable USB CD drive) I had to opt for the Lenovo Windows BIOS Update Utility. I simply extracted the files from the iso and copied them into the BIOS Update Utility folder. Then I simply ran the "winuptp" program and it flashed with no problems.

Just wanted to add my experiences...

With the help of Zender I have build in the new Intel 5330 in my T60. The 5330 is the next generation behind the 4965 and this one supports dual N (both 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz). In stead of 300 Mbps you can get 450 Mbps if you have a compatible router.

So, if you're considering to upgrade your WiFi card, I am advising you to buy the 5330, it's just almost the same price!

robertwebbe - Welcome to the forum!

Nice pic's - have you noticed in any increased power consumption or heat with the Intel 5330? - I noticed from your pic's that you only have 2 antenna's attached, what average transfer rate you are getting?

Peak2Peak wrote:Nice pic's - have you noticed in any increased power consumption or heat with the Intel 5330? - I noticed from your pic's that you only have 2 antenna's attached, what average transfer rate you are getting?

I have the 5330 just a few hours installed now and I haven't noticed any increased power consumption of heat (yet).

The third antenna is on it's way, I ordered a orginal IBM part (just 4 euro) and I hope it will arrive tommorow. At this moment (with two antenna's) I get the same results as with the 4965AGN, 270 Mbps on 5 GHz and 130 Mbps on 2.4 GHz. I think the 450 Mbps will only be possible with 3 antenna's so I have my fingers crossed. The Intel Connection Utility reports the use of only 2 antenna's, so I assume higher speeds are not possible with 2 antenna's.

Edit: Hmmm, there are some strange problems now. Today at the office everything went fine but at home I'm experience some problems. I already have two BSOD due to a memory problem. Also the 5 GHz disconnects every onces and a while and cannot connect for a few minutes. The 2.4 GHz is very steady so, Houston, we've got a problem...
I think I am replacing the 4965AGN back when I install the third antenna and see if this scenario will work steady. I have also installed two 2 GB SO DIMM's last week, maybe this is causing the problem. I expect it's more likely that is in combination with the 5330.

robertwebbe - Thanks for the info - I do hope you manage to resolve these issues soon - please do keep the forum informed etc.

Peak2Peak wrote:robertwebbe - Thanks for the info - I do hope you manage to resolve these issues soon - please do keep the forum informed etc.

I second this. Thanks for the info and let us know how it works out.

The third antenna hasn't arrived yet so we have to wait until Monday.

In the meantime I took out yesterday one of the 2GB RAM memory modules but that didn't help. Five minutes ago I switched them to see if the one I just took out is responsable for the BSOD's.

So, more news on Monday evening (Central European Time +2).

Last days I had a lot of BSOD's with the 5300 AGN. Swapping memory modules didn't solve the problem so I had to be the new 5300...

After building in the original third MIMO antenna (which was a piece of cake with the Hardware Maintenance Manual) a couple of hours ago, I changed the WiFi card back to the 4965AGN. Since then no BSOD anymore... So, I think I have to wait for a driver update.

Since the 5300 is so new, there are no other reports of other users yet. So I leave the 5300 back on the shelf for a couple of weeks and search again if there are improved drivers or other solutions available.

The 5 GHz is still a problem in combination with the Linksys WRT610N. It connects with 270 Mbps but after a short while it disconnects. The 2.4 GHz is connecting at 130 Mbps maximum (with 3 antennas) while another notebook on the same network is connecting on 270 Mbps on 2.4 GHz. That other laptop works with a Ralink mini-PCI card with only 2 antennas.

So, there are still a few things to solve. Thank God this is my hobby (and my job)

robertwebbe wrote:The 2.4 GHz is connecting at 130 Mbps maximum (with 3 antennas)

This is how a fully 802.11n draft 2 device is supposed to behave.

while another notebook on the same network is connecting on 270 Mbps on 2.4 GHz.

Which is not supposed to happen for a 802.11n draft 2 compliant device, but was OK under the initial 802.11n draft (until field use illustrated that this was NOT producing acceptable results in terms of sharing the 2.4 GHz spectrum with 802.11b/g traffic).

Cheers,

Bill B.

bill bolton wrote:

robertwebbe wrote:The 2.4 GHz is connecting at 130 Mbps maximum (with 3 antennas)

This is how a fully 802.11n draft 2 device is supposed to behave.

while another notebook on the same network is connecting on 270 Mbps on 2.4 GHz.

Which is not supposed to happen for a 802.11n draft 2 compliant device, but was OK under the initial 802.11n draft (until field use illustrated that this was NOT producing acceptable results in terms of sharing the 2.4 GHz spectrum with 802.11b/g traffic).

Cheers,

Bill B.

Not to thread hijack, but I am curious. My T61P will not connect above 130Mbps using WPA/WEP; but if I use NO encryption key (freely open) I connect at 270-300Mbps using my 4965AGN card. Funny thing is, my home theater pc using a Dlink DWA-556 Extreme N PCI-E connects at 300Mbps regardless of encryption or not. This is all connecting to a Dlink DIR-655.

robertwebbe wrote:With the help of Zender I have build in the new Intel 5330 in my T60. The 5330 is the next generation behind the 4965 and this one supports dual N (both 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz). In stead of 300 Mbps you can get 450 Mbps if you have a compatible router.

So, if you're considering to upgrade your WiFi card, I am advising you to buy the 5330, it's just almost the same price!

Wow...NICE!!! And thanks to Peak2Peak for the heads-up!

I replaced my Intel 3945ABG card with the Atheros AR5008X 11a/b/g/n card about 7 months ago, and it ROCKS!! I usually connect @ around 200-260Mbps. In the status page, it always says 300Mbps, with FULL bars, thanks to the repeater.

Your Intel 5300 sounds better, though. I ordered the Linksys WRT610N router, which supports BOTH the 2.4GHz, AND the 5GHz bands simultaneously. Can't wait to set that baby up when I get back to the States.

I'm currently in Germany, and I'm running two of the AVM FritzBox 7270's. One operates as a repeater. Have you heard of them in the Netherlands? They're 2.4GHz only.

How was the installation?? I have a T60p, so we have the same motherboard. Installing the Atheros card was easy, but when I looked up your card, it looked a bit bigger, so have you had to make any adjustments to plug that baby into your machine??

I'm a total wireless-N fanatic, so I'm totally interested in this.

By the way, I used the extra cable from my WWAN as my third antenna, and it works great! If you have a WWAN card, you could try that.

And please allow me to welcome you to this great forum!

Hi Crunch,

It's always nice to meet someone who has the same interest!

In the meantime I have taken out the 5300 because of the BSOD's. I think there are still some bugs in the driver and until then, I use my 4965 for the time being.

The installation was a piece of cake, see this photo. The moment I took it, I didn't have the third antenna installed yet.

You wrote that you use your WWAN antenna as MiMo antenna. I've read an article somewhere where someone claimed that this disimproves the signal. The reason for that is simple, the antenna is optimised for 2.1 GHz in stead of 2.4 and 5 GHz. That person changed the antenna for a original WiFi antenna and he experienced a mayor improvement.

Wow, really? Maybe I should disconnect the third cable. I've enjoyed crazy speeds, though. And I don't have an Intel card, but rather the Atheros card, which is supposed to be the best. The FritzBox's I use when in Germany, as well as the Linksys WRT610N I use in Los Angeles, both have Atheros chipsets in them.

I just installed a new driver for my Atheros card, and I want to say that there is a slight improvement in speed. I also never have to reset my routers anymore. There were times when I did have to sometimes when I rebooted my T60p.

I would like to install a "real" third cable, but I am not savvy enough to go around the screen, etc. How are you planning to install the third antenna? Behind the back of the screen, or simply tape down the cord in a safe place on the motherboard?

802.11n is life. I don't know if I could go on living without N. It has become my favorite letter of all time. I've had many favorite letters. N ---> <--- N

bill bolton wrote:

robertwebbe wrote:The 2.4 GHz is connecting at 130 Mbps maximum (with 3 antennas)

This is how a fully 802.11n draft 2 device is supposed to behave.

That's not how a 2.4GHz N network is supposed to behave. (see below)

bill bolton wrote:

while another notebook on the same network is connecting on 270 Mbps on 2.4 GHz.

Which is not supposed to happen for a 802.11n draft 2 compliant device, but was OK under the initial 802.11n draft (until field use illustrated that this was NOT producing acceptable results in terms of sharing the 2.4 GHz spectrum with 802.11b/g traffic).

Cheers,

Bill B.

An N network with Draft 2.0 is supposed to connect at 300Mbps. In order to accomplish this, WPA2 *MUST* be used. ANY other encryption will not give you that connection, and therefore lesser speeds.

Crunch wrote: That's not how a 2.4GHz N network is supposed to behave.

An N network with Draft 2.0 is supposed to connect at 300Mbps. In order to accomplish this, WPA2 *MUST* be used. ANY other encryption will not give you that connection, and therefore lesser speeds.

Yes, I had read that on the Intel website. I use WPA2-Personal (AES/CCMP) but still 130 Mbps @ 2.4 GHz.

For the BSOD problem someone on a Dutch forum posted a suggestion which might solve my problem. I've installed it but left the 5300 AGN card at work. So I will swap the WiFi card Monday and will see if it works.

robertwebbe wrote: Yes, I had read that on the Intel website. I use WPA2-Personal (AES/CCMP) but still 130 Mbps @ 2.4 GHz.

That is all you will EVER get solely on the 2.4 GHz band for a properly 802.11n draft 2 compliant device,

Cheers,

Bill B.

Crunch wrote:An N network with Draft 2.0 is supposed to connect at 300Mbps.

Not solely in the 2.4 GHz band, as it creates unacceptable levels of interference with 802.11b/g traffic in the band on nearby networks.

Cheers,

Bill B.

running at 270mpbs here on a g/n network with a 2.4ghz cordless phone base not more than 50ft away.