Thinkpads Forum

Extracted a MC8781 from an AT&T branded, Sierra Wireless 881U USB modem and was able to make it work with a ZENDER modded BIOS.

As expected, AC and FN+F5 are not functional with this combo.

This works great and the MC8781 is a much better WWAN card than the one Lenovo offers (7.2d/2.0u HSUPA). Best of all, antennas inside of the x300 are better than those in the 881U card.

Time: 20 minutes.
Cost: 34 USD (refurb AT&T modem (shipped/tax/upgrade fee))

Thank you ZENDER.

UPDATE:

Access Conections and FN+F5 are now working with the MC8781.

Thank you ZENDER !!

Great news!
Is the GPS function works too?

I tried the Lenovo GPS package and it complains with the following on install.

"ThinkVantage GPS cannot install on this machine. Please make sure this machine supports GPS."

Where did you bought your card ? from AT&T or from another place ?

From AT&T's website.

I should elaborate on that price. Price was with a new two year contract and the 881U was a refurb.

CARD: 0
Shipping: 15
TAX: 1
Upgrade Fee: 18

Your mileage may vary with price, but I can assure you that you can get a MC8781 working in your x300 (assumed any ThinkPad ZENDER may have a BIOS update for).

I can't order it through AT&T because i live in Europe.

Is it possible to provide your mod's files for the AC and FN-F5 ? (or what you've done?).

I think that I'll buy a 881U on Ebay (around 180 $) and put it in my X61T (oh no i don't have a X300 :p but i've already the Zender mod's bios).

About the GPS one, is there a specific output (for the antenna ?) on the card ? Have you tried with the Sierra software ? (i don't know at all how it works ..)

Thank you

Check your PM.

The card has two antenna. Not sure if one is for GPS or not? I am pretty sure that AT&T has blocked this feature in their firmware.

Oh ! It'll be more difficult to find a MC878x module alone ... I going to check ... Maybe I'll find a firmware to flash your AT&T and enable this feature

Hi, abendx!

Please share with all how are you forced to work Fn-F5? Also have install mc8781 to my X61 tablet extracted from 881U USB modem. Works perfectly with generic Sierra 3g Watcher, LED works too, turning on/off by 3g Watcher. The problem is i can't make work Fn-F5 (don't use AC). How?? tpfnf5.exe editing does not help.

Thanks in advance

Im interested in the info too, how u got the fn+f5 combo to work.

I would really appreciate.

i just ordered 1 from China market and installed at my X300, works great... but i also want the Access connection control the WAN for turn off, on and connect instead of using sierra wireless watcher. can zender give a big hand for me or someone have done to teach a new comer like me? thanks.

Does anyone have the link for the latest firmware for an MC8781?

Is it this one: http://www.sierrawireless.com/en/siteco ... r_ATT.aspx

or this one: http://www.sierrawireless.com/en/siteco ... r_ATT.aspx

Does anyone know what the difference is between the two?

I've just installed an MC8781 card into my x200s, and I'm trying to figure out how to get GPS to work. From what I've read, I think I need to update the firmware as a first step.

Dear guys,

i need help, im now in Hamburg germany. i have buy this sierra mc 8781, and he didn't give me an antenna?
can you give me an advice, where i can buy this antenna actually?
and one more questions, about the GPS, i have read about this features here....
my question is, is the HSDPA 3G antenna same with the GPS antenna?
can someone share about the informations? and maybe about upgrade the firmware also? then i can update it alone....

thanks before and sorry about my english...