X31 2672 wireless card on Ubuntu Edgy, pcmcia or mini pci?

[arcx]

Firstly I am not sure whether to go down the PCMCIA route or the Mini PCI route.

I figure that PCMCIA is going to be easier because:
a) I wont have to open the laptop up.
b) I won't have to deal with any of the mentioned bios hacks.

So opting for a pcmcia card, is there anybody out there who got:
An x31 2672 (Wireless upgradeable) machine, working with wifi, successfully on Ubuntu Edgy?

If so, can you tell me,please, which card, and what you had to do to get it working, or, even, if it worked out the box?

Alternatively, if somebody could recommend a mini pci card and give me some idiot proof instructions on getting it to work, that would be great too.

I forgot to mention, I'd prefer not to spend too much money.

Thanks,
arcX

[boon]

I have done an upgrade with mini pci and it is practically easy to install
and took only few min to do so.

in lenovo website should show you how to do them.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-44108

I was afraid to open my laptop but after following the steps it is simple.

The steps are just take few screws that connect to keyboard and remove the keyboard. You'll see the mini pci right away. You put the mini pci just like you install a ram. And then connect the antenna to the mini pci. nothing else is done to the laptop.

I used the bios hack, found some site the guy created a complete image and all i had to do was boot the cd and type few letters and its done. Piece of cake.

If you still afraid about the bios then just get the right part#

[arcx]

Thanks very much for that, it is really reassuring. So, if I go down the mimi pci root these are the choices according to the Wiki here:

* Cisco Aironet Wireless 802.11b
* Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI Adapter
* IBM Dual-Band 11a/b Wi-Fi Wireless Mini PCI Adapter
* IBM 11b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter
* IBM 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter
* IBM 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter II

Can anybody recommend me on of these for the x31? From searches on the web I believe I came accross people using the "Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI Adapter" with the x31 and Ubuntu. And I read somewhere that maybe it is a bit trickier finding the linux drivers for the Cisco card.


Also I'm not sure whether I should go for just b + g or also a?

Thanks,
Alex.

[boon]

according to wiki, those mini pci do works in linux and their link to those cards also show the parts numbers and the drivers.

Best bet is to get the right part# and should be able to apply driver as told in thinkwiki

I got mine 2915 a/b/g and works good after the no-1802 patch. I did find the right parts mentioned in wiki in ebay before, but to save a bit of cash like 10$ (yay!). But luckily, the patch works. However I have only test that in windows xp/vista
I never use ubuntu or any linux to test the mini pci.


I don't recommend the b only mini pci since its an older wireless version. Most of the time you probably will be using g if it is a/b/g. read more here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/802.11

[arcx]

Thanks again Boon,

I think I just got to look for some good prices then for a card like that: 2915 a/b/g

Need to find a company that will deliver to Spain.

arcX

[boon]

well the 2915 a/b/g might have to apply the 1802 patch though, The IBM 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter might be a better choice for you, with the right parts if you don't want to apply the no-1802 patch.

[arcx]

Hi,

The price difference is pretty big. I can find an Intel 2915 for 24€ and the IBM 11abg is 80 something euros.

I will probably go with the former, for that reason.

What do you think is the easiest way to install the patch? I saw that there were some ISO images floating around for doing a CD based patch. Is that the method you used?

Also I noticed that there were two versions of the ibm 11abg, and read somewhere that one was geared for US use where the wifi ranges have been limited. Any ideas on that?

Thanks again,
arcX

[boon]

yea thats what I used.

I realize that those bootable cd iso image is just an easier way of trying to boot your computer to dos and just type the filename of the patch where ever is located. Since not many ppl don't know much about dos and I even forgot how to use them.

This is my first thinkpad that I own so I never used the IBM 11abg, but
802.11a/b/g is world wide and should be the same for what I know of.

You may also look for intel 2200 b/g if theres any cheaper ones, as its just a bit older version but doesn't make much difference. My other fujitsu laptop comes with it and comparing between the two laptops wireless, I don't see any difference between 2915 and 2200. But I guess most important would be the drivers and if they work on ubuntu or other linux for you.