Upgrading Wifi card in my T60 for better range ?

[Wiking]

Hi,
I have T60 2007 FUG. It has Intel 3945ABG wireless mini pci card. I thought to upgrade it to have a better wireless range.
Can anyone tell me which card should I buy for it?
Thanks.

[RealBlackStuff]

The Atheros-based 802.11 ABG card with P/N 41W1027, or look for an Atheros-based 802.11 BGN card if your router also transmits in N (preferably Dual 2.4GHz and 5GHz)

[vinuneuro]

Don't forget you'll most likely need the third antenna if you want N speeds.

[Crunch]

You want the Atheros AR5008X miniPCIe card, which Lenovo refers to as the "Thinkpad 11a/b/g/n wireless adapter". You do not need a third antenna, but it certainly doesn't hurt. Do you have a WWAN card in your T60 that you're not using? You could use it as the third antenna. That's what I've been doing with my T60p.

If you're thinking to go with the 4965AGN from Intel, you can only do so with a BIOS hack. Just get the Atheros card.

[Wiking]

Thank you for the answers.
My model doesn't have WWAN. May by it ready for it with the antennas already installed but I don't know that.
So, I can buy Atheros AR5008X (does it have lenovo serial number?) without any BIOS problems ?
How to know it my model WWAN ready and has the antennas ?
If it doesn't have third antenna, can I install it ?

Thanks
Lior

[sjthinkpader]

If the card is made for 3R/2T, the third antenna should always be installed. WWAN antenna is made for another band so installing a 2.4Ghz WiFi antenna is best. Many cards 11n cards are made for 2R/2T so a 3rd antenna is not necessary.

[EOMtp]

... I can buy Atheros AR5008X (does it have lenovo serial number?) without any BIOS problems ?

You need a Lenovo-branded card if you want to use the standard BIOS, i.e., FRU #39T5578.

You do not need a "N" card to improve the range -- the Atheros-based card above will seem to have the range of an "N" card compared to the Intel 3945ABG card! [Note: Any other Intel card is fine; it is only the 3945 cards that seem to have the "range" problem.]

[Harryc]

The Atheros-based 802.11 ABG card with P/N 41W1027, or look for an Atheros-based 802.11 BGN card if your router also transmits in N (preferably Dual 2.4GHz and 5GHz)

41W1027 is an Intel PRO 3945ABG. Due to my laziness I ordered one (for my new T60) because I thought it was an Atheros card based on your post. I will 'never' be lazy again, lesson learned. I have ordered 39T5578.

[vinuneuro]

Could someone explain why there are 5 variants of each card listed in the parts matrix, depending on specific T60 model.

[Harryc]

There are really only (3) wireless adapters for a T60. An Atheros 802.11abg, an Intel 802.11abg, and an Atheros 802.11abgn. Every other FRU mentioned is just a replacement for one of those (3) cards. Stick with these FRU's and you'll be good to go;

42T0825 Atheros 802.11 a/b/g/n card

39T5578 Atheros 802.11 a/b/g card

41W1027 Intel 802.11 a/b/g card

[vinuneuro]

FRU's have been superseded, but I'm talking about p/n's based on specific models based on the last letter.




xxA, xxB, xxC, xxF, xxH, xxL, xxM, xxP, xxQ, xxS, xxU, xxY

42T0825 R 2

xxE, xxJ

42T0827 R 2

xxV

42T0829 R 2

xxK

42T0831 R 2

xxT (bg only)

42T0833 R 2

[Harryc]

Don't know, but I'd be willing to bet my next paycheck that one of the (3) FRUs I mentioned will work in any of the models that you've listed (less the 3rd antenna situation for the 'N' card, and as Crunch mentioned, even that depends on the card). Give Lenovo a call and ask...wouldn't hurt. I gave up interpreting the Lenovo parts manuals long ago.

[vinuneuro]

Eh, I was just curious. The abgn cards aren't sold on ebay and they're prohibitively expensive new. Plus, I'd also have to get the 3rd lan antenna since my wwan antenna won't work for it.