Thinkpads Forum

It's my firs post, so hello to all!
I've just bought used IBM T60 WWAN enablend (with simcard holder and WWAN antena there was also Vodafone WWAN card but it was not in this set, so I've free minipci slot). I would like to have access to the internet using this internal WWAN, but there's a huge problem with WWAN card. I've read a lot and I can see problems like:
1) Cheapest cards - Sierra Wireless MC5720 are only for U.S.
2) Dell cards like 5500 and 5505 will be not supported by my BIOS (I'm right?)
3)Vodafone cards from lenovo site cost about 250 E and it's too much for me.

What have I to do? It's there any way to install Dell cards (which are about 100$) or I have to buy very expensive one from lenovo site? I'm student, so the price is very important for me and 250E is rather unreachable for me

Thanks,
Peter

A warm welcome to the forum

If you would like to use the Dell cards in the 2nd mini-PCI slot, you will need to get past the T60's BIOS whitelist - Forum member: Zender has produced a modified BIOS to work around this, so that most WLAN & WWAN cards (which are not Lenovo certified) can be used - Check out his posting here.

The cheapest one you mentioned is for the U.S. only, as it is a CDMA card, specifically for Verizon Wireless, which only works in the U.S.

You probably want FRU# 42T0931 for the Vodafone mini-PCI card. I would check ebay.

Crunch wrote:The cheapest one you mentioned is for the U.S. only, as it is a CDMA card, specifically for Verizon Wireless, which only works in the U.S.

You probably want FRU# 42T0931 for the Vodafone mini-PCI card. I would check ebay.

Yeah, I know about this Vodafone HSDPA card, but I don't want it for two reasons: I don't need HSDPA, this card will be only for email checking and comunicators so EDGE will be enough and second, like i said it's too expensive for me.

So the solution in my problem will be to buy Dell 5505 card and install modified BIOS? Or there are some Lenovo branded card which will support european frequences?

Thanks for help!

Peter

An EDGE-only card? I didn't know they existed. Well, yes, with the recent BIOS hack, you're supposed to be able to put anything now.

Thanks for help!

PB

p.barycki wrote:2) Dell cards like 5500 and 5505 will be not supported by my BIOS (I'm right?)

You need to make sure the Dell cards and drivers will work in a non-Dell laptop!

Cheers,

Bill B.

and make sure that any alternative bios will work and not kill your thinkpad..

You need to make sure the Dell cards and drivers will work in a non-Dell laptop!

I think I can use Novatel drivers 'cause it's branded Novatel, right?
But how can I check if it will work with my laptop (hardware)?

and make sure that any alternative bios will work and not kill your thinkpad..

How I can check it?

PB