Issue with internet on X201

[zoltan87]

This is probably a silly question, but I got a message from my father saying his Thinkpad X201 can't connect to the internet anymore. He has been having issues with his WiFi connection for years, and mainly has been using it with an Ethernet cable plugged in, but now he says that doesn't work either. He says I should buy a new WiFi card and an "ethernet card"? I know the WiFi module can be replaced (but in this particular model it has to be one that hasn't been whitelisted by Lenovo) but I didn't know there is an other card for wired connection. Is he right? I always just assumed that the basic functionality for wired internet was integrated in the motherboard.

As a I side note, I have repaired quite a few Thinkpad T60s, and honestly I don't remember ever seeing this "ethernet card" or whatever it's called.

[RealBlackStuff]

Get him an X280 or X395 instead.

[axur-delmeria]

The Ethernet/LAN port is part of the system board itself, and is not removable. You can buy an Expresscard Ethernet adapter if you want to, but IMO replacing/upgrading the WiFi is a better option.

The easy way is to get a USB WiFI-AC adapter.
Replacing the mini PCIe WiFi card with a newer one is a more elegant solution, but it requires flashing a modified BIOS in order to remove the BIOS WiFi whitelist.

[zoltan87]

Get him an X280 or X395 instead.

Yes I was thinking about getting something newer for him a while ago, the problem is he is just like me, extremely picky with what is a must in a laptop for him. And there simply isn't a laptop on the market that would satisfy his needs. So worst case I will get a new motherboard for him.

Replacing the mini PCIe WiFi card with a newer one is a more elegant solution, but it requires flashing a modified BIOS in order to remove the BIOS WiFi whitelist.

I am thinking about getting the exact same adapter he has in his X201 from an other such laptop from eBay if I can find one. Flashing his BIOS is just something I don't want to deal with in the limited time when I visit him. And yeah I thought the Ethernet connectivity is integrated.

On a side note I even read somewhere that the actual hardware switch for connectivity can break (my dad is religiously keeps switching it on and off daily), so I am not even sure he might broke that, and it's permanently in the off position somehow. It's hard to say this remotely, I really should be there to actually see it.

[RealBlackStuff]

Maybe the wifi-switch (on the left, near the front) is loose/worn out...
Open it up, take the mobo out and solder the 2 contact points together, possibly one problem solved.
Or get a replacement mobo, such as this (supposedly all your problems sorted).

[axur-delmeria]

On a side note I even read somewhere that the actual hardware switch for connectivity can break (my dad is religiously keeps switching it on and off daily), so I am not even sure he might broke that, and it's permanently in the off position somehow.

I've encountered an X60 with a worn-out WiFi switch; infuriating is how I'd describe it. USB WiFi-AC adapter to the rescue!