Can I add bluetooth to my X31?

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dc_slim · #1 Post by **dc_slim** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:48 pm

I recently acquired an X31 (2672-C2U). How can I tell if bluetooth can be added to this model? I've scoured the information posted on the support section of the IBM website but haven't been able to find an answer. Is it as simple as switching out the modem card with a bluetooth cdc? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

rek · #2 Post by **rek** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 5:32 am

Yep, that plus the BT antenna, which is housed inside the little plastic box thing just to the right of the left screen hinge.

There are a number of vendors on eBay who can sell everything that's needed, including a new bezel for the LED status panel, to show BT status.

zone · #3 Post by **zone** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 3:17 pm

dc_slim wrote:I recently acquired an X31 (2672-C2U). How can I tell if bluetooth can be added to this model? I've scoured the information posted on the support section of the IBM website but haven't been able to find an answer. Is it as simple as switching out the modem card with a bluetooth cdc? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Im just in process of doing that.

So, you'll need following FRU parts.

91P7319 BMDC200B Bluetooth Modem CDC
46P2960 Bluetooth wireless antenna and hinge cover assembly for X31
67P1448 Clear plate for X31 (Bluetooth version)

Ebay seller wireless4laptop may supply you with complete kit.

dc_slim · #4 Post by **dc_slim** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:50 am

Thanks for the info! I'll take this project on over the holidays.

Is the antenna relatively easy to install? Am I correct in thinking that the keyboard bezel will need to be removed? Do any other parts have to come off to reach the box where the antenna sits?

boon · #5 Post by **boon** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 12:08 am

is the hinge cover assembly required to come with the antenna in order to mount it in the lcd?

someone was willing to sell me just the antenna

thanks

spectre · #6 Post by **spectre** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:11 am

Has anyone made a writup on how to do this? I would like to do this in the near future.

shalliday · #7 Post by **shalliday** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:10 pm

Here are the installation instructions from the Levovo site:

T series Communication daughter card removal and installation
X series Communication daughter card removal and installation

I have already purchased the following:

IBM X ThinkPad Bluetooth BT Antenna Cable FRU 46P2960
IBM BMDC200B Bluetooth Card FRU 27R1880 91P7319 BMDC200

The documentation included with the Antenna Cable states "Does not include the hinge. You could use the original black hinge cover". Can someone please tell me if I do need to purchase the hinge or does the original black hinge cover work just fine?

boon · #8 Post by **boon** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 4:03 pm

I opened up the lcd bezel of my x31 and I think it might just be fine to put the antenna where the wifi antennae was placed.

shalliday · #9 Post by **shalliday** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:28 am

That is good news. I will give that a try and thank you for the information.

zone · #10 Post by **zone** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 7:09 am

shalliday wrote: I have already purchased the following:

IBM X ThinkPad Bluetooth BT Antenna Cable FRU 46P2960
IBM BMDC200B Bluetooth Card FRU 27R1880 91P7319 BMDC200

The documentation included with the Antenna Cable states "Does not include the hinge. You could use the original black hinge cover". Can someone please tell me if I do need to purchase the hinge or does the original black hinge cover work just fine?

FRU 46P2960 (Bluetooth wireless antenna and hinge cover assembly), is correct part. BT antenna for X3x series is builtin in hinge cover. No need to purchase hinge, you need just to replace original hinge cover with new one which contains antenna, to do that keyboard and keyboard bezel needs to be disassembled. It's quite simple process. HMM is your friend.

zone · #11 Post by **zone** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 7:14 am

boon wrote:I opened up the lcd bezel of my x31 and I think it might just be fine to put the antenna where the wifi antennae was placed.

BT antenna is in hinge cover in X3x series. You also may install third part BT antenna from ebay pretty elswhere, for instance I have X4x series antenna custom installed under palmrest in my A31p and it works perfectly with BMDC200b. No need for opening/installing BT antenna in LCD assembly.

shalliday · #12 Post by **shalliday** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 8:23 am

Thanks guys. Looks like I have a few choses to select from. Any suggestions on which of these methods work best or is there no difference?

spectre · #13 Post by **spectre** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 8:54 am

I have a FRU P/N 91P7657 card in that slot right now, Would all I have to do is buy a bluetooth/daughter card to swap that out or will I have to route a BT antenna as well?

zone · #14 Post by **zone** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 8:59 am

shalliday wrote:Thanks guys. Looks like I have a few choses to select from. Any suggestions on which of these methods work best or is there no difference?

From functional standpoint there's no difference, however original part is *neat* solution while custom antenna is fine as long antenna cable is long enough to reach connector on BMDC card. Original X31 antenna is quite cheap from IBM parts site, cca 15 bucks or so.

zone · #15 Post by **zone** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 9:08 am

spectre wrote:I have a FRU P/N 91P7657 card in that slot right now, Would all I have to do is buy a bluetooth/daughter card to swap that out or will I have to route a BT antenna as well?

You have MDC card in CDC slot which needs to be replaced with BMDC card. If 2672-58u has no BT antenna you'll need to install one as well since BT signal range without antenna may be cca 5cm from CDC card. Antenna cable routing for BMDC is illustrated at page 103 of HMM.

Parts what I purchased for my 2673-Y13 are:

91P7319 BMDC200B Bluetooth Modem CDC
46P2960 Bluetooth wireless antenna and hinge cover assembly for X31
67P1448 Clear plate for X31 (Bluetooth version)

johnson · #16 Post by **johnson** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:43 pm

How much are you guys paying for your parts? I found the clear plate for $10 and the card for around $40. Not much luck on the antenna/hinge.

I looked at the hardware manual and it gives me 91P7315 instead of 91P7319 for the card.

boon · #17 Post by **boon** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:12 pm

91P7319 is the bluetooth III for other models T42,X40...I guess it still fits and work in the X31, but 91P7315 is the right part

johnson · #18 Post by **johnson** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 9:43 pm

deleted

spectre · #19 Post by **spectre** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:36 pm

zone wrote:
spectre wrote:I have a FRU P/N 91P7657 card in that slot right now, Would all I have to do is buy a bluetooth/daughter card to swap that out or will I have to route a BT antenna as well?
You have MDC card in CDC slot which needs to be replaced with BMDC card. If 2672-58u has no BT antenna you'll need to install one as well since BT signal range without antenna may be cca 5cm from CDC card. Antenna cable routing for BMDC is illustrated at page 103 of HMM.

Parts what I purchased for my 2673-Y13 are:

91P7319 BMDC200B Bluetooth Modem CDC
46P2960 Bluetooth wireless antenna and hinge cover assembly for X31
67P1448 Clear plate for X31 (Bluetooth version)

Thank you very much. That was good info.

aceyx · #20 Post by **aceyx** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:41 am

johnson wrote:How much are you guys paying for your parts? I found the clear plate for $10 and the card for around $40. Not much luck on the antenna/hinge.

I paid around $50 for the whole bit (plate, card, antenna, shipping), direct from IBM.

Have an extra plate for an X31 if anybody wants it. $5 shipped.

johnson · #21 Post by **johnson** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:42 am

That is really cheap. What part number did you put in for the card? 91P7315 shows as $88 and 91P7319 doesnt show up at all.

Last night I made an order for

46P2960 Bluetooth wireless antenna and hinge cover assembly for X31
67P1448 Clear plate for X31 (Bluetooth version)

which came out to be around $19.25 plus $13 shipping (flat rate) plus some tax. I found the card on eBay for $37 shipped, so a total of almost $70.

aceyx · #22 Post by **aceyx** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 3:48 pm

As it turns out, I totally lied. The card was $50. Entire package was $70.

I went with 39T0026

johnson · #23 Post by **johnson** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 5:32 pm

39T0026 shows up as $60 plus ship. I got the antenna and clear plates installed but im still waiting on the BMDC. Shipping from Canada.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... yle=lenovo

johnson · #24 Post by **johnson** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 1:40 am

Got my BMDC today and installed it. Everything is working great so far. Now I can connect to the net through my phone with a USB bluetooth dongle. Also searching for a good bluetooth GPS receiver.

Can I add bluetooth to my X31?

Can I add bluetooth to my X31?

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