Thinkpads Forum

Hi,

I've searched the forum, but I can't really find anything about using a AT&T 3G WWAN card in the x60s. The only topics I could find included unlocking HDSPA cards from Vodafone.

Has anyone successfully gotten a GSM WWAN solution to work in a x60s? Or are the differences between the x61s and x60s enough that GSM WWAN isn't feasible? I have a x60s with Verizion WWAN already, but would like to switch to AT&T if possible.

Thanks for your help!

-Jonathan

You need a Lenovo-branded Sierra Wireless MC8765 card (1.8Mbps max. download/384Kbps max.upload).
Here is the Lenovo-branded item:
Integrated Cingular HSDPA 3G Wireless Broadband Network Adapter
FRU #42T0804

If you wish to use an MC8775 card (3.6Mbps/384Kbps) with AT&T for the X60s, then you need FRU #42T0933 (AT&T, locked) ... + "tape Pin 20" trick. You cannot use the unlocked Vodafone card, FRU #42T0931, because that card's frequency bands are different than what AT&T requires.

As you know, one needs a SIM card when using a GSM device. The SIM card holder in the X60s is accessible by removing the DIMM door on the bottom.

Thanks for the reply!

Are the speeds vastly different between the two cards? What can I expect from AT&T? If I acquire the MC8775, do I need a bios change (work by Zender) if it's a non-Lenovo item?

Thanks!

EOMtp wrote:If you wish to use an MC8775 card (3.6Mbps/384Kbps) with AT&T for the X60s, then you need FRU #42T0933 (AT&T, locked) ... + "tape Pin 20" trick. You cannot use the unlocked Vodafone card, FRU #42T0931, because that card's frequency bands are different than what AT&T requires.

What about FRU: 42T0901 - I assume that this FRU WWAN module is open to all three bands: WCDMA 850/1900/2100Mhz? - (and more than likely unlocked too?)

Peak2Peak wrote:What about FRU: 42T0901 ...

That part no longer exists as an orderable item from Lenovo, and I don't know if it ever existed physically. My experience is that an order for 42T0901 -- from any vendor -- is fulfilled always with a substitute which does not match what a 42T0901 would have been. I would order that part only from someone who could verify, through visual inspection, that FRU #42T0901 appears on the label on the device (not just on "the box"!).

ibbo wrote:Are the speeds vastly different between the two cards? What can I expect from AT&T? If I acquire the MC8775, do I need a bios change (work by Zender) if it's a non-Lenovo item?

Any MC8775 in an X60s (Lenovo or non-Lenovo) requires both the BIOS mod and disabling Pin-20.

The speed difference between MC8765 and MC8775 may be noticeable in some AT&T areas, but I think one is "lucky" generally to achieve even 1.8Mbps! Potential speed would not be the basis on which I would decide this matter given today's AT&T 3G deployment.

The Lenovo MC8765 for AT&T costs $800+ from Lenovo!
The Lenovo MC8775 for AT&T costs $300+ from Lenovo.
A non-Lenovo MC8775 card will cost < $150, and will work in an X60s with a modified BIOS + its Pin-20 disabled.

Thanks again for the input. Your posts have been very helpful.

Just a couple more questions:

If I cover pin 20 with the MC8775, will the all wireless off hardware switch still work? And the WWAN LED?

Do you have any suggestions on where to find a MC8775 besides eBay? I thought I read somewhere that one could open a PCMCIA card to retrieve the same hardware.

Thanks!

ibbo wrote:If I cover pin 20 with the MC8775, will the all wireless off hardware switch still work? And the WWAN LED?

The hardware switch will not work, but the light will work.

The Sierra Wireless 875U has an MC8775 card inside. It's free with a 2-year AT&T contract.

OK EOMtp thanks for the info

ibbo - The Sierra Wireless AC875U does have an embedded MC8775 WWAN module.

EOMtp: As far as I know, X60 BIOS does not whitelist any MC8775. You have the modified BIOS in the machine, I think.

LED has been standardized in miniPCIe, so that should work with basically all cards.
However, I don't think that wireless switch will work after taping pin 20 / the disable pin, as that's exactly what the switch should use to disable the card. So even with Lenovo version of the card, when you need to tape the pin, you're out of luck (with the switch). All Sierra Wireless cards are able to power off by software means though, if energy consumption was your concern.

Zender, I can tell you the following categorically:
1) Standard X60/s BIOS, with Lenovo MC8775, Pin-20 NOT taped, does NOT give error, but the card stays invisible to the operating system.
2) Modified X60/s BIOS, with Lenovo MC8775, Pin-20 taped, works in Windows XP, with full functionality of Fn-F5, but no functionality of ON/OFF switch.
3)Standard X60/s BIOS, with Lenovo MC8775, Pin-20 taped, gives 1804 error (as you stated in the posting below).

4) I do NOT know the behavior of non-Lenovo MC8775 in X60/s (regardless of BIOS/Pin-20 combination).

EDIT: Corrected point 2 and modified point 3.

1) Yes, MC8775 from 875U does that in T60 also. Reported by someone in the T60 whitelist thread. However in *61 it triggers the 1804 error directly.
2) The wireless switch is interesting. After you set the switch to off, is the card present in the system? In device manager? It shouldn't be if it works correctly.

3) Based on experience with the T60 and non-Lenovo MC8775, I say that taping pin 20 on Lenovo MC8775 isn't by itself enough - it would trigger the 1804 error, which it fails to do so with pin 20 connected. The card does not report to the system at all, not even to BIOS, without the tape. (btw I've sent you reply to your PM some time ago.)

Zender wrote:2) The wireless switch is interesting.

Not as interesting anymore! I was wrong about the ON/OFF switch working; you were correct. In (2) above, the switch has no effect. (I also edited my post above to reflect the correct findings.)

One additional point: If one starts 3G Watcher and then closes it, the Lenovo MC8775 is turned OFF by 3G Watcher momentarily, but it comes back ON. However, when 3G Watcher is restarted, it no longer sees the card even though the light is ON. One must bring up Fn-F5, which shows the card ON, turn it OFF then ON again via Fn-F5, and now the MC8775 becomes visible once again to 3G Watcher.

(I just saw your PM reply, which I had missed; thank you).

Thanks for all the help and information guys.

I opened up my x60s and saw that there is a SIM card holder, however, it looks like there is an obstruction in front of the opening. I tried putting a SIM card in there, but it wouldn't fit. Does anyone have a picture of what the SIM card holder is supposed to look like? I can try taking a picture and uploading it to show the obstruction.

Thanks!

Jon

ibbo, Perhaps you are trying to insert the SIM card in an incorrect fashion. Do the following: With the X60s upside down and the battery away from you, use your fingernail to lift up, from the left side, and rotate to a 30 degree angle the metal SIM holder "shell". Insert the SIM card into the metal bracket and then you push down and "snap" into place the the metal bracket with card.

To remove: Push inward the visible part of the SIM card, lift/rotate to 30 degrees, then take out the SIM card..

Thanks for the tip! I was inserting the SIM card incorrectly.

I wanted to ask: is the 875U the only card that has a MC8775? Or do the other PCMCIA cards do (ie. 881U)?

Thank you.

PCMCIA cards don't have these inside, 875U is a USB modem. And 881U has MC8781, even better card with antenna diversity and 7.2Mbps/2.0Mbps support (if carrier has it too). Though diversity is only for North American frequencies, European are supported on 880U/MC8780.

Anyone know which Sierra Wireless model is in this card? Is it compatible with a x60s?

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... B8FF1FDD2B

Thanks,
Jon

That's an Ericsson F3507g card, not compatible with the X60 standard BIOS ... but will work fine with a modified BIOS + a little tape!

Zender wrote:European are supported on 880U/MC8780.

A few days ago Sierra issued the end of life notice for the 880U/881U..... though there are some confusing words about continued availability of the 881U in North America, which seemed to be at odds with the rest of the annoucement!

Cheers,

Bill B.