WWAN card replacement not working

X200, X201, X220 (including equivalent tablet models) and X300, X301 series specific matters only.
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rkuo
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WWAN card replacement not working

#1 Post by rkuo » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:34 pm

I took my EVDO mini-pci card out of my X60 and put it in my X300 today. I got a bootup error saying 1804: Unauthorized WWAN card installed or something to that effect?

Why put this check in, Lenovo? Are you trying to screw your customers? I'm livid right now...

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#2 Post by erik » Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:49 am

it's most likely because the newer cards run cooler and the X300 isn't designed to accommodate cards which put out any more heat than they already do.   i tried to install an atheros a/b/g card in my X300 last night and got an 1802 error.   atheros cards run hotter than intel cards so this is the only reason i can think of as to the restrictions.

what's the FRU number on your EV-DO card?   42T0929 is spec'd for the X60/s/T, X61/s/T, X300, T60/p, and T61/p so i'm curious as to what card you have.
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rkuo
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#3 Post by rkuo » Tue Apr 01, 2008 5:35 pm

Not sure what the FRU is, but it's a Sierra Wireless MC5725 mini-PCI card.

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#4 Post by erik » Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:42 pm

the MC5725 card is FRU # 42T0929.   it should work just fine in your X300, especially if it was pulled from an X60.   i just installed that exact same card in mine on monday with no problems.

do me a favor and pull your keyboard to double-check to make sure your card says FRU 42T0929 somewhere on the label, then report back with your findings.   thanks.
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rkuo
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#5 Post by rkuo » Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:48 am

OK i got the model number slightly wrong. It's an MC5720. The FRU is 41W1177.

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#6 Post by erik » Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:43 am

the MC5720 is the older 1X card and lenovo probably figured that most X300 buyers would want to use the new rev.A card instead.   plus, the MC5720 might not work as well or work at all with the thinkvantage GPS system.

i'm sure there's a good reason behind it but don't know the exact reason.
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medyo
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X300 WWAN card location

#7 Post by medyo » Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:46 pm

How did you install the WWAN card on the X300? Where was it located? I also want to pull the WWAN from my X61 and put it on my X300 but the Hardware Maintenance Manual for the X300 does not state how to install it.

csv96
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#8 Post by csv96 » Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:59 pm

Using stock BIOS, the X300 is only compatible with the Lenovo MC8775. To get it to work with other cards, you will probably have to use a Zender-modified BIOS described elsewhere on this forum.

Step-by-step instructions for installing a WWAN card:
http://www.lenovoservicetraining.com/ion/
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#9 Post by Zender » Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:05 am

X61 has the same card as X300, should accept it without patching.
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#10 Post by csv96 » Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:52 am

T61, X61, and X300 share the same card, but I think X60 may use an older different card?
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#11 Post by Zender » Fri Jul 04, 2008 11:52 am

Yes, sorry for not making clear it it was a reply for medyo.

*60 series have older/slower cards, which is especially notable for CDMA cards (Verizon), and can only accept these (without patching).

*61 series and X300 have newer/faster cards and can also only accept these (so you can't just swap card between *60 and *61/X300).

However, you can swap cards among *60 series laptops and you can swap cards among *61/X300. Anything else needs patched BIOS.
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#12 Post by medyo » Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:41 pm

Ok, I apologize, but now I may be confused.

So will my X61 WWAN card work on my X300 after simply attaching it? Or do I need to patch my BIOS? I bought my X61 directly from Lenovo's website 10 months ago so the WWAN card I have inside it would be whatever card Lenovo ships out by default. I used my X61 for Verizon and I will still be using Verizon on my X300.

I did find the instructions on how to install it on my X300 (Thanks for the link csv96) so that part I now know.

Unfortunately I have to wait for Lenovo to ship my X61 back as I have sent it to them for repair. I believe they advertise X61 as spill-proof but that wasn't the case for me. Less than 2 seconds after accidentally spilling water on it the laptop died. I am only taking a very slim chance that Lenovo wouldn't fault me for the issue and still fix my X61 since spilling water on it would not be covered by the one year warranty (I believe). Bummer. =/

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#13 Post by Zender » Sat Jul 05, 2008 2:53 am

Older cards are found in T60, X60, R60, older R61 and Z61, among which you can swap the cards freely.

Newer cards are found in T61, X61, newer R61 and X300 and you can also swap cards among these.
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Re: WWAN card replacement not working

#14 Post by alex.iff » Mon Jul 06, 2009 12:19 pm

Hello,
Can someone share with me cracked BIOS for Thinkpad X200/X200s please ? Because Zender is not available for 3 days already and this is an emergency )
Thinkpad X200s

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Re: WWAN card replacement not working

#15 Post by alex.iff » Mon Jul 06, 2009 12:54 pm

alex.iff wrote:Hello,
Can someone share with me cracked BIOS for Thinkpad X200/X200s please ? Because Zender is not available for 3 days already and this is an emergency )
Done. thanks.
Thinkpad X200s

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