WiFi mod for x30 without internal wireless? (2673-42U)

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dc_slim · #1 Post by **dc_slim** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 3:37 pm

Is there any way to install internal wifi in an x30 that did not come with it fron the factory? The machine is a 2673-42U. It does not have the antennas installed or a slot on the motherboard for a mini PCI card (unlike the "wireless upgradeable models").

Any ideas? Is it worth trying to install wireless, or should I just give up and stick with a PCMCIA card? I'd like to install an internal system and don't mind doing a little surgery, but if it's more trouble than it's worth . . .

Any advice would be much appreciated.

JHEM · #2 Post by **JHEM** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:52 pm

While your unit does have an internal mini-PCI slot, I wouldn't attempt to install the antennae in the display, there's very little room to work.

If you simply must have internal WiFi you could check eBay for a WiFi enabled display to replace your's. But it's going to be expensive.

Were I you I'd probably just go with a WiFi card for the CF slot or a 3COM X-Jack PC card.

Regards,

James

dc_slim · #3 Post by **dc_slim** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:14 pm

I figured as much. The CF Wifi card seems like the best way to go. Do you have any recommendations? Are all CF cards about the same, or does their performance vary? How does the range compare to a standard PCMCI wifi card?

JHEM · #4 Post by **JHEM** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:01 pm

I don't have a lot of experience with CF WiFi cards and will leave it to someone else to steer you right.

Regards,

James

dc_slim · #5 Post by **dc_slim** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 9:31 am

James, thanks for your input. I appreciate it greatly. One other question: the 3COM x-jack wifi card looks pretty nice. Does its range and reception compare favorably with other PCMCI wifi cards? How does cardbus wifi compare to internal wireless, in general? I'm sure the internal is somewhat better, but is it a major difference?

JHEM · #6 Post by **JHEM** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 9:39 am

Slim,

I've been a proponent of the X-Jack cards for quite a while.

While they don't have the range of some other PC cards, I've always found them more than adequate. I'm more than willing to give up a bit of range in order to NOT have a big card sticking out of an X model or one of my Transnotes that has to be removed before putting the machine it it's case.

I also like the fact that the X-Jack antenna serves as a power switch for the card, e.g. antenna in, the card is OFF, antenna out, the card is ON.

I've got several of the 3COM a/b/g cards for my older systems and they've always gotten the job done for me.

Yes, the internal antennae give one the best range over a PC card solution, but not enough that I would attempt to install the antennae in an X model.

Regards,

James

Jumphog · #7 Post by **Jumphog** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 10:42 am

Ill second the recommendation of the Xjack card. Ive got an older b only version in my X20 and its great. As JHEM says you loose some range, but the convenience of not having a lump sticking out of the side of the laptop is worth much more to me. On the card I have having the aerial in/out does not swtich the card on/off - when its in I just get less reception, but still enough if im within one wall of an access point.

dc_slim · #8 Post by **dc_slim** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 11:00 am

Thanks, guys. I just ordered an x-jack card -- it sounds like the way to go.

I may try to get my hands on a CF wifi card, just to see if it's a better option. Now that I understand how those x-jack cards work though, it seems like they provide the benefits of internal wireless without too many drawbacks. The CF card will probably protrude a bit more than I'd like, I imagine.

Thanks again.

Dan

#9 Post by **JaneL** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 7:30 pm

I added one of the a/b/g x-jack cards to my work-supplied T40, and it's been fine - easy to configure for multiple sites. Like James, mine turns off when the antenna is depressed. I've been very pleased with it. I think I got it at buy.com.

dc_slim · #10 Post by **dc_slim** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:07 pm

Okay, I got the 3Com x-jack b/g card, but I'm having a dickens of a time configuring it. It worked fine for two days right out of the box, but now it's gone nuts. I can't get it working! How are you guys using it? With the 3Com software, IBM Access Connections, or Windows (wireless zero config)? Any suggestions on getting a reliable connnection set up?

I can seem to get the card automatically configured, so I've put in the IP, DNS, etc., manually. Still, it seems to have a connection -- I've done ping tests through DOS -- but for some reason I can't use it with Mozilla or IE. How can I have a connection that my web browser can't see? I've checked the connection settings on both browsers, and they're set to "automatic" -- with an always-on wireless connection, they shouldn't have any problems.

I'm using a Linksys router/wireless access point, and the other laptop in the house is running a Linksys pc card. Could there be some sort of conflict?

Any suggestions would be *GREATLY* appreciated.

#11 Post by **JaneL** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 9:22 pm

Since my T40 is my work machine, I have a custom preload that didn't include any method of using wireless. When I got the 3Com card, one of the service techs loaded the 3Com drivers for me (they don't trust me with admin rights and probably rightly so since there's quite a bit I'd change in this preload - they know me all too well).

Configuring it was a breeze. I have 2 connection setups - one that I use here, and one that I use at my brother-in-law's or at my father's (since my b-i-l has the more complicated arrangement, we set up the router at my father's to match his settings). But I can go just about anywhere (Panera Bread, Barnes & Noble, my church) and turn on the 3Com software to detect a signal and set up the connection with no problems.

JHEM · #12 Post by **JHEM** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 9:55 pm

Dan,

Use the 3COM software that came with the card, not Access Connections.

They don't play well together.

Regards,

James

Nebelfelsen · #13 Post by **Nebelfelsen** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:31 am

Hmm, as the 3Com manual said, I didn't install the 3Com Software on XP. You should only chosse the 3Com-driver from the CD when Windows is asking you. The WiFi-Card works fine together with Access Connections then.

dc_slim · #14 Post by **dc_slim** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 6:03 am

Manual? What manual? You guys got a manual with your cards?!? I'm jealous . . .

After considerable effort yesterday evening, I got the card to work again -- the 3Com software is installed, but Access Connections is managing the connection. I'll give it a few days to see if it holds. If it goes on the fritz again, I'll try uninstalling the 3Com software and just loading the driver. I have more confidence in Access Connections than the 3Com software, which seems a little primitive by comparison.

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I appreciate your help. If you hear me screaming again in a few days, you'll know what happened!

Dan

#15 Post by **JaneL** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 6:47 am

dc_slim wrote:I have more confidence in Access Connections than the 3Com software, which seems a little primitive by comparison.

Not everything has to have a lot of frills to work. Remember the KISS principle.

dc_slim · #16 Post by **dc_slim** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 7:40 am

True, so true . . . "primitive" certainly has its place. But since I couldn't get a reliable connection with the 3Com software (for no apparent reason), I can't help but be a little skeptical. Access Connections seems to be doing the job nicely . . . so far.

Now we'll see if my luck holds!

JHEM · #17 Post by **JHEM** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:50 am

dc_slim wrote:Manual? What manual? You guys got a manual with your cards?!? I'm jealous . . .

It's a PDF on the CD, first selection on the 3COM installer program is to install the PDF and Acrobat if you need it.

Regards,

James

gazingwa · #18 Post by **gazingwa** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:54 am

What is the best place to purchase this 3com xjack card?

JHEM · #19 Post by **JHEM** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:56 am

Dan,

dc_slim wrote:True, so true . . . "primitive" certainly has its place. But since I couldn't get a reliable connection with the 3Com software (for no apparent reason), I can't help but be a little skeptical. Access Connections seems to be doing the job nicely . . . so far.

Use whatever works for you, certainly. Just make sure the 3COM program isn't running in the background if you're going to be using Access Connections.

Regards,

James

dc_slim · #20 Post by **dc_slim** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:31 am

Yes, I opened up the PDF "manual" on the cd, but it's really not a manual, per se. The document I got simply shows how to insert the card into your pc slot (duh!) and has a few warranty disclaimers. Somehow I didn't get a real manual with an sort of instructions concerning software configuration, etc.

The document that came with my cd is called the "getting started" guide. You can check it out on the link for the card on the 3Com website:
http://www.3com.com/products/en_US/deta ... e=purchase

Click on the "documentation" link to get to the PDF. It's all of two pages long.

At the moment, the 3Com software is running in the background and Access Connections is managing the connection. I fully understand what you're saying, James, but since I've actually got a solid connection now, I'm gonna leave it alone and see what happens. If it crashes, I'll start from scratch and will just try using Access Connections with the 3Com driver.

#21 Post by **JaneL** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:58 pm

gazingwa wrote:What is the best place to purchase this 3com xjack card?

When I got mine, buy.com was the cheapest place that actually had it in stock, but that's been a few months ago.

Quattro · #22 Post by **Quattro** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:29 pm

How about this one?

http://www.hautespot.net/store/proddeta ... xt2&cat=19

WiFi mod for x30 without internal wireless? (2673-42U)

WiFi mod for x30 without internal wireless? (2673-42U)

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