X31 wireless card replacement

[Markeh]

First post here so excuse me if I royally mess up.

I received a retired from service ThinkPad X31 (2673-CG7: upgraded to 768MB PC2100 RAM, HDD replaced by another Hitachi 40GB, XP Pro) from my father's workplace the other week, and I've been trying to fix it up for my mother to use as an internet browser. I'd much rather keep it for myself as it is probably one of the best built machines I've ever seen. It's been in a workshop since 2004, and the only thing wrong with it was 8 bad sectors on the HDD. But enough about that...

When I received it, it did not have a top half (had been removed to replace another X31's broken LCD), but I managed to get a top half with the wifi antenna, cables, everything included. So I hooked it up, and it's working fine except for the wireless. This X31 has the Intel 2100 3B card, and the connection will disconnect and reconnect often.

So I'd like to get a replacement card. I'd need one that supports 802.11g at 54Mbps, and of course it has to be one that the X31 will accept (i.e. mini PCI, no 1802 error.. yes I know there are ways around it but I'm not that good with PCs just yet). Can anyone tell me what cards would be up to the job?

[ParatoOptimal]

Intel Pro Wireless 2200 b/g. It can be had on ebay for $6 - $15.
Make sure the card has an FRU# on it.
See this thread ...
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=91702

Other options would be to get ...
An 802.11n-draft USB adapater with 150 throughput for $8 from meriline.com or mwave.com.
A D-Link 802.11n PCMCIA card with 300 throughput is $10 on ebay.

See this page for usefull info on the X31 ...
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:X31

Get the ThinkPad X30, X31, X32 - Hardware Maintenance Manual (August 2005) here ...
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... 9t6189.pdf

[Markeh]

Thanks for your response.

Would this do? It has an FRU, but not one I recognised from Googling X31 Wireless Cards...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IBM-2200BG-Wirele ... 2009wt_905

PCMCIA isn't really an option... it has a very snugly fitting carry case and having to take one in and out would end up with it broken or missing. Thanks for the Hardware guide, but I did already have that. (to be honest I am at the stage now where I could remove the keyboard and bezel in my sleep)

I've got exactly the same problem trying to get a WWAN card for my HP netbook as well.. Maybe I should stick to my desktops.

[ParatoOptimal]

That's what I got but I haven't installed it yet.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... MEWNX%3AIT

[Markeh]

The part number for what you bought is 39T0077, the part number on the card I intend to get is 39T0079. From a quick Google, they appear to be identical, but I'm wondering whether there are any differences.

[jronald]

I have not really found any IBM FRU 2200 hard that would not work in the X31.
In the X30, I have found a few that would not work, and WERE IBM FRU numbered.
That said i just run the hack and install the cards.
All things being equal, where extreme battery life is not a concern, Ill run the Atheros card any day.

Ron