Thinkpads Forum

I have a T61 with the following config. I want to upgrade the network adapter to Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN. Lenovo tech support and http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-67911 tell me that it is compatible with my computer. The problem is there are a couple of part numbers given against this piece of hardware and I do not understand which one to buy. Each part number has some a sequence like xxG, xxC attached to it which I understand as good as hieroglyphic.

My Computer Config:
2 x Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz
4 GB RAM
11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Express Adapter
Intel 82566MM Gigabit Network Connection

Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated. Pls also let me know if I can self-upgrade the adapter.

Regards,
Abhi

asarkar wrote:Each part number has some a sequence like xxG, xxC attached to it which I understand as good as hieroglyphic.

Those last 3 characters refer to the model number of your ThinkPad. Look at the sticker on the bottom. There should be a number like 7663-45U (a fictional number I just made up). If it ends in CTO, then things get more complicated.

asarkar wrote:Each part number has some a sequence like xxG, xxC attached to it which I understand as good as hieroglyphic.

GomJabbar wrote:Those last 3 characters refer to the model number of your ThinkPad. If it ends in CTO, then things get more complicated.

It indeed ends in CTO. Mine is 7662-CTO.

asarkar wrote:I have a T61 ... upgrade ... to Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN. ... there are a couple of part numbers ... I do not understand which one to buy.

FRU #42T0865.

asarkar wrote:I have a T61 ... upgrade ... to Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN. ... there are a couple of part numbers ... I do not understand which one to buy.

EOMtp wrote:FRU #42T0865.

That's the costliest of the lot (~ $170 acc. to Lenovo). 42T0867, 42T0869, 42T0871 and 42T0905 are much cheaper (~ $70). Can I use any of the later ones? Can i fit it myself?

Abhi

EOMtp wrote:FRU #42T0865.

$40, e-bay.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dl ... category0=

EOMtp wrote:FRU #42T0865.]

sktn77a wrote: $40, e-bay.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dl ... category0=

Thank you all for your valuable time.
If any of you have similar buying experience, pls advise if it's alright to buy it from e-bay (I mean quality of parts etc). Also, can I fit it myself?

Abhi

Yes on both counts! Just make absolutely sure its a Lenovo card or the BIOS won't let you install it. Get the right card and then look on the Lenovo site for installation instruction - it's real easy. And if you get a little twitchy doing it yourself from the lenovo instructions, just post here and you'll get help.

On a T61 just remove the five (check) screws securing the palm rest. Unhook the palm rest from the front and lift it off. Then remove the keyboard and you will find the wireless card. That is the easy part.

There are two less easy parts:
1. Remove and attach the antenna wires most carefully.
2. Unlike someone here (who shall remain nameless) do remember to plug the palm rest back in when re-assembling.
... JDH

Hi,
Thanks to you all, I bought and installed the card (had a tough time removing the palm rest though).
I found that my laptop has 2 antenna wires while the card has slot for 3. Will this affect speed?

Abhi