X60S Bluetooth..help

[tim S]

I'm gradually getting my X60S into shape. The LEDs are now working because of the LCD cable I got on eBay. Now bluetooth is the next challenge.
The eBay'd LCD cable came with the correct bluetooth module already attached. Unfortunately I can't seem to be able to turn it on, or find it. It is enabled in BIOS, but Fn+F5 does nothing and I don't see it in XP's Device Manager. I'm wondering if there is more to these Lenovo machines than there was when IBM was in charge. On an IBM Thinkpad, adding a bluetooth modem + antenna was all that was required. Is it different on these newer machines? If a particular model was made without bluetooth (in my case) then it can't be added later? Or do I neeed more than just the driver software?
Tim S

[EOMtp]

All you need is the Bluetooth module, the LCD cable with the connector for it, and the drivers. Neither the BIOS nor anything else on the machine "locks out" Bluetooth because it was not part of the original configuration. If the module is not "seen", then either you have a defective/dead module or the drivers are not correct. Note: Make sure the ON/OFF slide switch for the radios is in the ON position. There is no other "magic".

Good luck!

[tim S]

Yes I agree, it's most probably a bad module or a bad part of the LCD cable. In truth it's a pretty poor bluetooth design; IBM's was much better.
However bluetooth does have to be enabled (which it is) in the Networking section of the BIOS, which brings up an interesting point. Is bluetooth always in that BIOS section, whether a computer has it or not, or does the BIOS see the adapter but Windows doesn't?

Tim S

[rica5736]

I have the same problem installing bluetooth on 1702-37G. i bought the FRU39T0497 bluetooth and the FRU91P6971 LCD cable with bluetooth connection. this is now 6 months ago and I have not make it working ! PLZ someone say to me what's the problem. I feel that this was like throwing the money in to the fire. (almost better tho it have ben warmer here).

[tim S]

I still can't get mine working either. In BIOS under 'Networking" bluetooth is enabled. The software is loaded, the bluetooth module is firmly attached to the cable, hit Fn + F5 and.....nothing! The system doesn't see the module. I'm starting to think that bluetooth can't be added to these newer machines, or at least the X60S, if it wasn't made for it originally.
Has anyone here successfully added bluetooth to an X60 or an X60S?
Tim S

[rica5736]

I have the exactly the same problem. i have seen several users do this but on x200/x60/x61 and on newer models of x60s. but they all has the cable already there. wondering if there is anyting we have forgotten to do?. some one please tell us what we have missed. i have tried to change model number to like 1702-xxx (xxx=changed) but no luck of change. is there any way to change the other model number code ? does this make the different ?

[tim S]

Moving ahead a little but still no luck. I have 2 X60S laptops. They are identical except that one has bluetooth from the factory and the other doesn't.
I got the one without bluetooth first but none of the LEDs worked. After a new inverter didn't make any difference I got a used bluetooth cable with a module already attached to it. The LEDs started working but the bluetooth didn't.
My second laptop has bluetooth from the factory and even though its bluetooth LED doesn't work for some reason, the module does.
Both modules are identical
Taking the good module from the second machine, and attaching it to the first does nothing. But take the unknown module from the first laptop and put it in the second and it works fine.
So either the bluetooth trace is bad on the cable in the first machine, or adding bluetooth just isn't possible on X60/X60S, if they weren't built for it in the first place.

Tim S

[rica5736]

what is the model numbers of them? i trying to get the model number to change the four first if there is a possible change to try to unlock the bluetooth signal.

[tim S]

Both modules are FRU 39T0497. I'm still trying but I think it can't be done.

Tim S

[rica5736]

But whats the model number of the computers ?

[EOMtp]

...So either (1) the bluetooth trace is bad on the cable in the first machine, or (2) adding bluetooth just isn't possible on X60/X60S, if they weren't built for it in the first place.

Based on your description of the situation and assuming that you do not have a corruption with the Bluetooth drivers and/or other related software, the problem is (1) above, i.e., a bad cable. There is no such thing as (2).

[tim S]

I'm still not convinced that adding bluetooth on, let's get specific here, an X60S model number 1705-33U can be done. However the jury is still out pending the arrival of another cable. But if anyone has added bluetooth on an X60 or X60S please let me know.
My other X60S is a 1704-4JU which came with bluetooth.
Tim S

[EOMtp]

I'm still not convinced that adding bluetooth on, let's get specific here, an X60S model number 1705-33U can be done.

Bluetooth (BT) can be added to any X60/s given the correct LCD cable and BT module (... regardless of whether or not you are "convinced" ) .

[tim S]

EOMtp why are you so sure that bluetooth can be added to to an X60 or and X60S when it was not part of the original build? Have you done it?
Earlier laptops are not an issue, I've added it to many previous IBMs I've had. Later Lenovos are an unknown to me but I've heard it is possible.
No-one here has added bluetooth to these early Lenovos or at least they haven't replied to this post (yet?). However two people with essentially the same X60S have run into trouble trying to get bluetooth to work.
Another reason I'm not convinced is that I can't add WWAN to either of the X60s I own because the socket is missing from the board. So could it be that decisions were made about these first Lenovo/IBM laptops to restrict them to the features they were made with? It sounds strange but who knows what goes on in corporate boardrooms?
Anyway I'll give it another try when I get another LCD cable and I'll be the first to eat crow if it works! But right now I don't think a new cable will make any difference.

Tim S

[EOMtp]

What you say is true of WWAN and X60/s units, some of which lack the second mini-PCIe connector. That is a physical limitation only. Were you to "add" the socket, the WWAN card would work. However, adding the socket is not practical for multiple reasons.

The same is not true of BT. There is nothing in the BIOS which differentiates machines with BT from machines without it, just like there is nothing in the BIOS which differentiates machines with WWAN from those without it. There could be, but there isn't.

Consequently, if the hardware is present, then BT will work with any X60/s. My intent here is not to convince you, but to provide clarity for others who may have similar suspicions. There is nothing on an X60/s motherboard that "knows" whether the machine in which that motherboard will be mounted is supposed to have a given feature or not.

In answer to your question: Yes, I have done it multiple times.

[rica5736]

Why then will it not work? i have the correct cable and correct bluetooth. is there anyting i have forgotten to do accept plug in the new cable and bluetooth ? is there anything more to do?

[EOMtp]

... the correct cable and correct bluetooth. ... is there anything more to do?

Enable Bluetooth in the BIOS, uncover the indicator light for Bluetooth (or change what Lenovo calls the "clear plate"), and install the software/drivers.

Depending on the "state" of the installed software, you might need to uninstall/reinstall all of the following:
1) HotKey driver (Fn-F5)
2) Power Manager
3) Access Connections + Profiles
4) WiFi Drivers

[rica5736]

I have tried about everyting. going to try to check the indicator light. i have even punched the indicator light panel w. blue tooth symbol on (the one down on the screen).
I have uninstalled and installed the drivers several times but no luck i have even tried XP, VISTA & Win 7. but still no luck. Going to check the icon plate once more. is the icon plate what u call the clear plate? and the second thing is to check if there is anything with the LCD connector om MB. Is there anyting more? I have struggled with this since July last year.
/ RiC

[EOMtp]

... is the icon plate what u call the clear plate?

Yes, that's right. For some machines it is called "clear plate", and for others it is called "icon plate". For the X6x/s units, it is called "icon plate".

[rica5736]

Thanks! Now i have tested everything exactly everything. i can't make the bluetooth led start and the computer can't find the bluetooth. what more can I do?

[EOMtp]

Unfortunately, it is sometimes impossible to solve these problems if one has only the "problem" machine available for debugging. My suggestion -- which I realize may be quite impractical for many people -- is to find a similar machine in which BT is working, and interchange parts with that machine until you identify the cause of the problem.

[rica5736]

Just found that one component on the bluetooth module was loose. trying to make it fit again. returning with more info later. If i can't make it work i wait for a spare part computer x60 tablet. and check if it works in that one.

[tim S]

The way Lenovo attached the bluetooth module on the X60 series is a real pain in the neck,
making quite difficult to attach the module with just the LCD bezel removed.
Replacing the complete LCD cable is really hard because of the thinklight and the standby
sensor, which has a mind of its own!
Add to that the flexing of the whole ribbon cable, right by the module and the sensor, when the
lid opens and closes, and the whole thing is a disaster!

Tim S

[tim S]

Just revisiting the bluetooth fiasco again! What is the difference between bluetooth SPWG and bluetooth TMD (X60s)?
Or what does SPWG and TMD mean? There is only only one bluetooth module which presumably fits into the LDC cable
in the same fashion? I just can't come up with the difference in terminology.

Tim S

[EOMtp]

What is the difference between bluetooth SPWG and bluetooth TMD (X60s)?

No difference for the Bluetooth modules. All X6x/s Bluetooth modules are the same.

However, the LCD cables into which the modules connect will differ between SPWG and TMD screens. SPWG LCD cable is for the non-UltraLight LCD screen/housing; the TMD cable is for the UltraLight screen/housing.

SPWG: Standard Panel Working Group -- a standard setting group sponsored by leading notebook OEMs, whose charter is to promote form factor compatibility among LCD panel makers.
TMD: Toshiba M a t s u s h i t a Display Technology Co., Ltd. -- the manufacturer of the X60s and X61s UltraLight LCD panels.

[tim S]

Thank you EOMtp, I didn't realize it referred to screen types.
So I assume that if the screen works and all the connector line up on my used cable, it
was the correct SPWG cable. I need to keep searching for my bluetooth solution!

Tim S

[rica5736]

I got a sparepart X60 Tablet few days ago. the bluetooth module worked just super fine in my x60s and now i finally got bluetooth in my computer... yeay. still wondering what the hell the new module i ordered did not work fron the start. neither the other one i ordered. now i have to order a password unlocker for the sparepart computer and make that one work.

[tim S]

Just putting an end to this I just received a new LCD cable from a China via eBay. After installation bluetooth and the LED are finally working 100%.
A word to the wise, these LCD cables are really fragile so take great care if you have to do anything with the lid, antennas or the LCD.

Tim S