Thinkpads Forum

I am attempting to get a Gobi 2000 card working with my T61P (6459-CTO). I've been using a Sierra Wireless MC5725 for sometime but wanted to add the GPS functionality that the Gobi 2000 includes as well as the option to use GSM when I travel.

I am using the BIOS that allows newer devices that the stock BIOS blacklists and the BIOS error is not an issue. The card and drivers installed fine, however, I am not seeing the WWAN card on the list of devices when I press F5 to power on the device and as such, can't get it connected to Verizon to activate. When I attempt activiation, I received the following error from Mobile Broadband Self Activation:

"Device is currently disabled by hardware. Error QE108"

Components of the devices are listed in device manager and are not disabled. In fact the modem device responds to inquiries. I have attempted power on and activation through F5, Acess Connections, and VZ Access Manager (for embedded devices). All attempts fail.

I would greatly appreciate any sage advice from someone who has accomplished this or hit a brick wall and found out why. I have already given up on the intel 5350 and hoped I could future proof a little with the Gobi 2000.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Config: T61P Type: 6459 Processor: T7800 RAM: 8GB (G.Skill 16x256x2) HD: Seagate .5TB O/S: Win7 64Bit

Wanted to add the following information. I have checked both TpFnF5.exe and AcAdaptersInfo.dll on my machine and find that both files have vendor and device information for the Gobi 2000 card in question. Vendor ID: 05C6 and Device ID: 9205.

When I use the FN+F5 comand, the pop-up window does not include the Gobi 2000 card in the list of devices I can power on and off regardless of whether Access Connections is installed. All other adapters, Wireless, Bluetooth, and WUSB, appear as they always have.

Try taping over Pin20 of your Gobi2000 - (It could be that the BIOS is sending the card a disable signal).

Thanks for the information. Do you know if this is required when a BIOS that prevents hardware black listing is installed?

Also, I am able to query the Gobi 2000 modem. It's very strange.

Thanks again for the info. Tapinng pin 20 did the trick. Both connection utilitiies (Access Connections or VZAccess Manager) can be used to connect although I had to use VZAccess Manager for the iniital activiation of the card. Connect speeds are much faster than the Sierra MC5725 card that I was replacing.

The GPS enabler software for the Gobi card works in both stand alone and XTRA mode (XTRA Mode data must be downloaded while the GPS is active).

I did find it odd that while I am using a modified BIOS that should whitelist network cards, taping PIN 20 is still reqiired. Nevertheless, the card works with pin 20 taped.

Good to hear all is well - Happy surfing!

Just to let you guys know, Qualcomm GOBI 2000 FRU 78Y1399 in T60 2007-FRG with Windows 7 Professional 32bit works great after following your instructions.
Also had to buy a few spare parts to get SIM card reader and WWAN antenas (SIM pn: 41W1353, Antena pn: 42W2670 price 11 EUR for the lot).

I assume you are using Middleton's BIOS.
I also assume pin 20 on an IBM-approved card has a certain function, hence it should not be meddled with.
That BIOS does skip the IBM whitelist but does not otherwise interfere with the hardware.

BIOS is not complaining (original Lenovo module), but Access Connection won't go without pin 20 taped... Piece of tape solved the problem.

Thanks for a great piece of information - got another question though.
Does taping pin20 mean that power saving features of the card are going to be disabled, too? GPS eats up my PDA battery in just a couple of hours - a card with wifi and gps should really affect on a battery life. Somebody please help - I'd love to know I'm wrong...