T61p Wireless WAN

[Rofflesaurrr]

I bought a used T61P 15.4" that doesn't have WWAN built in. It has the Intel Turbo Memory instead.

From reading the service manual, it looks like I need:

- Sim Card Slot
- Sierra MC8775 WWAN Card
- WWAN Antenna
- WWAN Shield Kit

Why does the antenna have 2 cables and there's only one jack on the card? Is the other one for the EV-DO card or something?

I also noticed a parts kit that contains the following:

System miscellaneous parts (42W3650):
(a) DC in cable
(b) Bracket, N/B, fan discrete/integ.
(c) Bracket, VGA, fan discrete/integ.
(d) Modem cable assembly, MDC-1.5
(e) Bracket, CPU support
Guide SIM
Bracket, Kensington
IEEE 1394 connector cover
IEEE 1394 connector bracket
SD card slot bezel
Connector bag
Thermal rubber

Do I need that SIM Guide piece? I haven't received the computer yet, so I don't know if there's a cutout for a SIM or what...

Do I have to use the MC8775, or are there faster one that will work?

Does it have to be an IBM branded MC8775? There's a lot on eBay for cheap from HP computers. They should all be the same shouldn't they?

And finally, it looks as if when I'm taking the LCD apart to install the antenna, I'm going to have to peel up a bunch of stickers up to free some wires. Is there a kit where I can buy new stickers?

Thanks in advance, -Chris



Edit: What is the UWB antenna? Is that needed for WWAN or is it for Wireless N or something?

[EOMtp]

The MC8775 has only one antenna connector. Other WWAN cards, such as the F3507g (GSM) or the MC5725 (EV-DO) have two antenna connectors. The single-antenna MC8775 will not reach 7.2Mbps HSDPA, but will do up to approx. 4.5Mbps just fine.

Unless you wish to install a modified BIOS which will permit any WWAN card, you must use one of the Lenovo-branded cards white-listed for your machine.

Use a razor blade or X-Acto knife to lift off the screw covers, and you will be able to reuse them. The screw cover stickers for different machines come in different kits -- sometimes with screws, sometimes with the back LCD cover, sometimes with the LCD bezel.

The UWB antenna is for Wireless USB -- if such devices ever appear.

[Rofflesaurrr]

Well, I ordered the WWAN/WIFI antenna kit, an unlocked Lenovo branded MC8775 card, and the SIM slot. I read somewhere that the shield kit isn't really needed. I have a ferrite core I can put on the wire myself. Is the cushion that goes under the card necessary at all? Should I substitute something else?

Isn't there a firmware update for the MC8775 that allows faster speeds?

[EOMtp]

Isn't there a firmware update for the MC8775 that allows faster speeds?

Check the PM (Private Message) that I sent you.

[Veni]

Hi.

I recently bought 42T0931(Sierra Wireless MC8775), 42X3919(SIM card slot), 93P4516(LAN/WAN antenna) and 42W3658(Clear plate kit)
to upgrade a T61 15.4" with WWAN connectivity. Everything works well and i noticed that there was a Wireless WAN shield kit(42X4332) so i bought that too.

The kit contains a ferrite core, cushion sheet and two brackets depending on which WWAN module is installed.
Questions:

* How does one get the left speaker cable inside the ferrite core?
* Where should the cushion sheet be mounted?
* The bracket(42W3879 or 42W3878), where does one mount it?

Thanks in advance.