Successful T60 BT upgrade with socket soldering

[yak]

Hi,

this thread is just a way to express my happiness after successfully upgrading my T60 with Bluetooth.

I bought the BDC-2 Bluetooth module on eBay. Since, as it turned out later, my LCD cable didn't have a connector, I had to order one too to solder it in place. It took couple of weeks for the connector to come from China but I got what I ordered. Before I warmed up the soldering iron, I took the LCD assembly off of the base and then took its case off to reveal the place where the connector had to be put. Soldering was moderately difficult, luckily my soldering iron has a small enough tip. Because the faceplate for the LEDs of my T60 don't have the BT icon, I rubbed a small dot there to indicate a working Bluetooth module - looks ok. Bluetooth LED was already there.

After starting Vista, I pressed Fn+F5 and the additional option to turn the BT on was already there. Turned it on and Windows detected a new hardware. Vista seemed to handle it by itself, nevertheless, I started System Update and installed the Bluetooth software it offered.

In Linux (Mint 6, based on Ubuntu 8.10), it just worked right after booting. I can use Fn+F5 there to toggle between WLAN off + BT off, WLAN on + BT off, WLAN off + BT on, WLAN on + BT on.

Everything works as expected.

[woodpusherghd]

If you get tired of looking at that blue dot, you can by a faceplate kit fro Lenovo, it has various faceplates for different configurations. BTW, nice job. I wouldn't have the courage to go near my TP with a soldering iron!

[yak]

Could you provide me with some link? Will I find the faceplates FRUs in the HMM? The dot is ok but it would be better of course to have the real thing.

BTW, the dot is green, as all ThinkPad LEDs are I think.

I understand your concern about ThinkPad and a soldering iron. I only did it because I had quite a lot of experience doing such stuff, for example I once did some repairs/modifications to mobile phones (which use extremely small electronics).

-- ADDED --

I've found the FRU in the HMM, it's 41W4505.

The thing I don't understand is that there's one FRU for all models, with BT/WWAN 14" or 15". And where do I find out how much lenovo wants for the part?

[Peak2Peak]

I've found the FRU in the HMM, it's 41W4505.

The thing I don't understand is that there's one FRU for all models, with BT/WWAN 14" or 15". And where do I find out how much lenovo wants for the part?

You can order directly online or by calling the German Service Parts Sales desk: (+49) 06131 84 4508

Note: When I ordered FRU: 41W4505 last year for a clients T60 from IBM Service Parts Sales UK they informed me the FRU had changed to 42W3098. You will get several Clear plate's, all will have lenovo with either T60 or T60p written (towards the right hand side of the clear plate) with all icons (WLAN, BT, WWAN, Number lock, Caps lock, HDD activity, PWR-ON, Batt, AC PWR & Standby). Then one set will all Icons except WWAN, one set will all Icons except BT and one set will all Icons except WWAN & BT - plus the clear plate on the LCD back cover.

[yak]

Thanks for extensive reply.

I noticed one can also buy these clear plates cheaply on eBay. Maybe I'll just go this route.

[yak]

I got a clear plate from eBay today.

Unfortunately, it is too long, probably for a widescreen model. I didn't know they were in different sizes. It's a pitty the auction description didn't mention this either, it just said it is a clear plate for a T60 with Bluetooth.

Not sure what to do. Mailed the seller about this and waiting for reply.

I could cut a small piece out in the middle but I would rather have a proper one to have it in one piece.

-- EDIT --

I went through some pictures of T60 14.1", 15.0" and widescreens and it seems that both 14.1" and 15.0" use the same clear plates. It is only the widescreen version that use a bit longer ones (~0.5cm longer).

The HMMs for all these models confirm this. The FRUs for the clear plate kits are as follows:
FRU 41W4505, ~13.2cm long - 14.1" and 15.0" standard screen models
FRU 42W2607, ~13.7cm long - 15.4" wide screen models

The clear plate I got is going back to the seller.

Note. The lengths were measured by me, they are not stated in the HMMs.

[p.c.27618349]

Can anyone create or link to a straightforward guide on how to upgrade a T60 that was not originally designed for Bluetooth? Because, honestly, the above discussion is rather confusing.

[yak]

I don't know of a guide how to do it but again, I haven't looked for one since I had a good understanding of what I was doing. If you can't understand anything or have some questions, feel free to ask. We'll try to do our best.

-- EDIT --

I've created a mash-up from the pictures I have found on the web. Pictures say more than thousand words after all.



Upgrading to Bluetooth is basically adding the small card you can see on the picture in the bottom part of the LCD assembly. The card is called BDC-2. The problem is that some (most? all?) T60 that shipped without Bluetooth card, does not have a connector for it. The cable is there but not the connector. As you can see on (1), the cable is part of the main LCD cable driving the display. This means that there are two options: exchange the whole LCD cable for one with the Bluetooth card connector or solder the connector yourself. A closeup can be seen on (3).

[karel]

quote: Since, as it turned out later, my LCD cable didn't have a connector, I had to order one too to solder it in place. It took couple of weeks for the connector to come from China but I got what I ordered

I have encountered the same problem yesterday. I ordered the card with face plate via eBay for $19,95 but my T60 has no connector. Dammn IBM that they want to save money on these essential things.

Therefore I am looking for that connector to solder onto the flex foil. Can you tell me what type of connector it is and, even better, where I can order it (or where did you buy this connector?)?
The soldering will be no problem at all for me, but getting the right connector is not so easy.

Thanks a lot!

[Radioguy]

Some eBayers selling the BT unit include the socket assembly for an additional price. You should contact one and ask.