Questions about upgrading an X41 tablet (WLAN, Bluetooth)

[Tim82]

Good day!

I own an X41 tablet for some time. I'm content with this model: it's a great little portable computer with excellent display. However, I would like to upgrade the wireless miniPCI card to a 802.11n capable card, because I have only an Intel 2200b/g inside. I use regularly a Linksys WPC300N PCMCIA card, but it drops sometimes the wireless signal. I have a TP-Link TL-WN861N internal miniPCI card (which has two antennae connectors as the Intel 2200b/g), that would be great to use.

As far I know, there are modified BIOS-es, disabling those infamous whitelist-checks (thanks to Ttav134, who improved Zender's conception of these modifications), but I wasn't able to find a working download link to those. (http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thread ... post344779.) Any help is appreciated. If this question is some sort of violation of the forum rules, then feel free to delete.

If someone already uses this combination (a TL-WN861N card in an X41 tablet with modified BIOS), maybe can answer the question, if the Fn + F5 combination and the wireless LED can work without issues.

The other problem is the Bluetooth. I have a CTO model, which hasn't internal BT modem. I use a HP USB Bluetooth dongle, which works without any problem, but I'm already short of USB ports, and I would like to get an internal BT. I have no problems to do it, I already know, for which FRU should I seek (for modem and antennae too). But I would like to do it cosmetically nicely, so I need an X41 tablet faceplate with BT icon, and that's impossible to find. So if anyone knows a source for this type of faceplate (the "normal" X40/X41 faceplate doesn't fit), please let me know.

Thank you and sorry for my English, it's not my native language and I rarely use it in these days.

[Harryc]

http://www.theboardroom.info/bios/zender-bios.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-X41T-L ... 43a8252983

[Tim82]

Thank You for the quick answer!

I know this site dedicated to Zender's work, but the details of how to apply his modifications aren't that clear for me. The instruction writes only about to replace an .FL1 file in the official BIOS, but then there is a download link to a floppy image BIOS version too. I don't know if it means that the floppy image is already a modified version, or that is meant to do the .FL1 file replacement in it by the user.

I think I must be careful with tinkering with BIOS, if I don't want to brick my X41t (that would be a really great trouble, 'cause it is currently my main machine). But to do the tinkering is my only option to get rid of the PCMCIA wireless N card.

The second link you gave me is great. I searched thoroughly a few times the eBay to find faceplate, with no success. I'll buy this asap.

[Harryc]

Nothing personal, but due to the risks associated with flashing a modified BIOS I never provide technical assistance. Perhaps someone else will. Frankly my thought is that if you are asking how to do it, you probably have no business trying it to begin with.

[RealBlackStuff]

Check your PM.

[Tim82]

Checked and thank You for the help!

[Tim82]

Nothing personal, but due to the risks associated with flashing a modified BIOS I never provide technical assistance. Perhaps someone else will. Frankly my thought is that if you are asking how to do it, you probably have no business trying it to begin with.

My problem was with the instructions on that site: they were a bit unclear to me. I was confused about why is linked a floppy image BIOS after that .FL1 file and why isn't any word about that is an official or a modified BIOS, only about doing the .FL1 file replacement. (On the bottom of that line there's a link to the official BIOS on Lenovo's site.)

I didn't meant asking for technical support/assistance, I expressed only my confusion related these things. I understand that the risk is mine and I think I can do fine. Probably it's about my English (mis)understanding, not about my technical skills.

Anyway, thank You and RealBlackStuff for Your help, You were most kind. I'll report back after doing this - I decided to wait a little, when I'll have a backup computer. I'm a safety player after all.

[Tim82]

I halted a bit this project, but I returned.

If anyone can help me, if this kit (http://www.ebay.com/itm/X41-Bluetooth-u ... 519afe00d0) has the right antenna for the X41 tablet too?

As I observed, there's no bluetooth antenna wire inside my X41 tablet, so I suppose I need both an antenna and the BMDC-300 module for the bluetooth upgrade. (I already have the correct faceplate for the tablet.)

[topmahof]

That kit is for an x41 non-tablet. The antenna wire will be too short. The x41 has 2 hinges, left and right and that wire will go up one of the hinges.

Your tablet has one hinge in the center so the wire has to go up through the hinge and turn.

The module is right. That'll work. The faceplate is for an x41 non-tablet, so that won't work, but you probably already knew that.
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... 9t9290.pdf
Here's the HMM. The part number for the antenna is 91P6925

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-IBM-THINKPA ... _707wt_698
Here's the right antenna.


Dave

[Tim82]

Topmahof, thank you for your advice. I think the tablet bt antenna is a little pricey (for me), maybe I can find one in my country. Sad fact for me: X41 tablet for parts is rarer than white raven (especially in the days of global environmental pollution ).

[topmahof]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-Laptop-WIFI- ... 324wt_1012

Well, there's alternatives. I've used these before for bluetooth and wifi. Any excess cable can be coiled under the keyboard.

Dave