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MC8775 and Atheros cards work great with modded BIOS on X300
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 5:12 pm
by poky
I can't take Intel's wireless card anymore (I've always been an Atheros card lover)
So, my friend and I decided to try modded BIOS from Zender (Big thanks to him! Great works!)
And our Lenovo brand Thinkpad a/b/g card works wonderful, all functions, Fn+F5, AC are all supported!
And non-Lenovo brand unlocked MC8775 works too (The indicator is functional, but have to control it using 3G watcher)
Just a heads up for those of you who are tired of Intel junk card, or willing to use a WWAN oversea.
Here's the picture of Device Manager under XP.
X300 patched BIOS
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:53 pm
by rossaj
Hi,
That's excellent news!
I have an X300 and need to get it running with a 8775V. Can you tell me where I can find a moded BIOS?
Thanks,
Al
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:26 am
by RaysMD
which Atheros ABGN card should I buy? Is there one from Lenovo?
FRU 42T0825
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:51 pm
by erik
RaysMD wrote:which Atheros ABGN card should I buy? Is there one from Lenovo?
FRU 42T0825
without a modded BIOS none of the atheros cards will work.
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:32 pm
by Pharfignewton
Does anyone know why does Lenovo lock their laptop to their FRU number?
It makes upgrading with aftermarket part more difficult, in 6month to a year time hsdpa will be old technology and laptop will be moving to hsupa.
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:16 pm
by SHoTTa35
well while they might not admit it (or any other manufacturer) it does get them more business. You gotta buy parts from them instead of just any part. Surely some things are standard but a laptop is still a designed system and therefore closed in some respect. Desktops on the other hand have opened up more but some OEMs still use non-standard parts in their systems.
Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:34 am
by Zender
Actually, for this very machine, I think it might be also heat concerns, as Atheros 802.11n card
seems to generate significantly more heat than Intel 802.11n card. It might affect user experience (you don't want the laptop to be hot on your lap), raise overall system temperature (which is never good) etc.
(which only explains why no Atheros, rather than the lock itself, which does not allow to use generic version of the approved card)
Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:45 am
by erik
zender - i agree with that 100%.
Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:37 am
by RaysMD
Just to confirm. I need to have a modded BIOS just to use the Lenovo branded Atheros ABGN card on the X300?
If that's the case then I'll buy a generic version on ebay. Are the heat issues with the Atheros WiFi cards confirmed? I find it hard to believe.
Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:51 am
by Zender
Yes, only Lenovo-branded Intel wifi cards are whitelisted, as of current BIOS. Nevertheless Lenovo-branded Atheros card would be recognized by AccessConnections, whereas generic one might not be (would probably work after patching also AccessConnections).
I'd say that's something most people here can agree on: Atheros have greater range / less dropouts, but run hotter. The question is just how much hotter.
Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:56 pm
by erik
one thing to keep in mind is the design of the X300's antenna array which seems to be the best of any thinkpad to date. i've always been an atheros fan but really can't complain about the intel AGN card in my X300. reception is just as good if not better than my T61p was with an atheros a/b/g, plus it should run cooler and slightly prolong battery life.
