X201 WWAN upgrade

[imaradiostar]

For a long time I've used a T-mobile USB HSDPA stick and it works fine but isn't LTE enabled so I figured I'd try an upgrade for my X201 (with x200s screen). I bought a Lenovo branded mc7700 card and installed it. When I boot into linux Mint the OS sees the card and attempts to make a connection but instantly says "network disconnected" and the virtual power switch in the linux taskbar doesn't turn "on."

I've read a lot of stuff about flashing an alternate bios (middleton et al) or covering pin 20 on the card. Can anyone save me time and point me in the right direction please? It would save me a lot of time!

Second question- what is the part number for a proper LTE antenna set that can be made to fit my x200s monitor?

Thanks to anyone willing to help!

Jamie

[xsixt]

Hey there - did you ever get the MC7700 card working?

[imaradiostar]

I did! Truthfully I haven't yet figured out how to make it connect under windows but using Mint 17.2 it works perfectly. I had to add the antennas from a WWAN enabled model. I had a broken X201 or X301 lid with the "correct" antennas that I kludged into the x200s (hi res) lid. It took quite a bit of careful work but I was able to squeeze them in. I recall using some kapton tape to keep things in place. I had to avoid the factory antenna routing locations for one of the antennas as it didn't reach. I seem to recall that I flashed a non-whitelist bios to allow the computer to boot without complaining. I think I may have had the SIM card installed upside-down at first. Upon correcting that the OS was able to see the card and create a connection.

It is by far my fastest device- even moreso than my LAN connection which is FIOS and no slouch. I'm headed out of the USA in a few weeks and it'll be interesting to see how well it connects on a less than stellar network.

I believe I may have some pictures of the install. I considered posting a short how-to but the work didn't seem professional enough to merit that!

JT

[xsixt]

Good stuff! Sounds speedy!

Good to know it works with linux (I may migrate in the near future), but I am stuck on W7 for the moment. Did you remember how it behaved under Windows?

My X201 has an ordinary (factory) WWAN antenna - Is your antenna 2 or 3 wire?

I would say the whitelisted BIOS is a must too: I am running thanh2h's 6quj19us 1.40 BIOS.

EDIT: Interesting, a forum member has the mc7710 working on a X301 - but using 3 wires for the antenna. http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=104656

[imaradiostar]

Under windows it appears to be connected but I'm unable to reach any internet sites. The machine is set to dual boot so I welcome any input on how to make it work. I don't know what settings I need to make it work with t-mo. Truthfully I logged in to start a thread to ask for help.

I only have two antennas connected. The card I installed is a Lenovo 7710 OEM card and has two WWAN and one GPS antenna jack. I would wager any similar card would have the same connections, making a third antenna unnecessary.

Jamieh

[xsixt]

Under windows it appears to be connected but I'm unable to reach any internet sites. The machine is set to dual boot so I welcome any input on how to make it work. I don't know what settings I need to make it work with t-mo. Truthfully I logged in to start a thread to ask for help.

I only have two antennas connected. The card I installed is a Lenovo 7710 OEM card and has two WWAN and one GPS antenna jack. I would wager any similar card would have the same connections, making a third antenna unnecessary.

Jamieh

Just guessing here, sorry if this sounds rudimentary: does the WWAN card show a signal + provider name when it's enabled under windows?

It took a few tries to enable my WWAN card (different model) under W7. At first it didn't acknowledge any signal (just displayed a red X), but after installing 2 different drivers the red X disappeared. It then showed the provider name + signal bars.

My assumption (hope) is if the card functions up until that point, the provider settings need to be configured - but possibly you're already at that stage?

[imaradiostar]

I get a provider name and bars and it appears to connect but I'm unable to reach the internet. It's as though it doesn't doesn't know the DNS or something. I would have thought it's all automatic, but I would be wrong.

Jamie

[xsixt]

I get a provider name and bars and it appears to connect but I'm unable to reach the internet. It's as though it doesn't doesn't know the DNS or something. I would have thought it's all automatic, but I would be wrong.

Jamie

Ok this sounds promising. My card does the same thing, so I assume the X201 is at least not rejecting your card.

I don't believe it's automatic. My card (F5521gw) won't connect either - it says bad APN, which makes sense because I haven't inputted any details and the card isn't activated. Unfortunately I can't test my card any further at the moment until I sign up for a plan.

[imaradiostar]

I don't know why I hadn't tried it before but I selected PAP authorization in the drop down on the Sierra Aircard config application and all is well. I'm posting from Windows 7 right now.

Jamie

[xsixt]

I don't know why I hadn't tried it before but I selected PAP authorization in the drop down on the Sierra Aircard config application and all is well. I'm posting from Windows 7 right now.

Jamie

Brillient matey! Thanks for spending some time on this, you've saved me a lot of guesswork.

Now, the ultimate question, how do you find the speed (4g/LTE), fast or what?

[imaradiostar]

http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/5372195390

That's a speed test run just a minute ago using Windows 7. I'll try again in a minute with Linux Mint. I'm way out in a small town, technically outside the LTE map. I'm amazed that it even works! My connection at work or anywhere with a better signal is MUCH faster.

Jamie

[imaradiostar]

update with results from Linux- pretty similar:

http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/5372203133

I will say that Linux just feels snappier and more responsive. I guess that's subjective, but it does feel better.

The machine in question is an X201 with an X200s display, a SSD, and 4gb ram.

JT

[xsixt]

http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/5372195390

That's a speed test run just a minute ago using Windows 7. I'll try again in a minute with Linux Mint. I'm way out in a small town, technically outside the LTE map. I'm amazed that it even works! My connection at work or anywhere with a better signal is MUCH faster.

Jamie

I'm not sure how fast that really is, but those stats are faster than my home internet (time to upgrade), so that WWAN card should be fast enough for me.