X300 and how does the mobile internet work ?

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sokos · #1 Post by **sokos** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 6:49 am

Hello guys,
Just got a X300 from ebay and i just LOVE IT !

Model type: 6478-15G (N1215UK)

Although in battery bay it has a slot to put my SIM card, there is absolutely no devide driver or the Access Connections -> Tools,
has the option Wireless Wide Area Network grayed out, so i can't click it.

I check in the parts lookup my model number and it mentions a part:
42T0930 42T0931 VODAFONE WIRELESS WAN ADAPTER FRU YES

But when i open the memory slot in the backside of the X300, i see only 2 Memory Dimms and the Intel WiFi card.

Is there a way i can use my SIM card to have internet on the move or do I need to buy a spare card and if that is the case, which one.

Thank you guys!

#2 Post by **jdhurst** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:26 am

There should have been software installed to run the onboard card and that software would not be dependent on Access Connnections (although AC is being made to work with these devices). Can you find the Vodafone software? And do you have an account with them? ... JDH

sokos · #3 Post by **sokos** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:46 am

Thanks JDH for the reply,

I installed the Thinkpad Mobile Broadband Connect software (from the support page) but when i run it, it says
No wireless broadband device found.

Even installed some drivers i found on the lenovo support page, but still no success.

In devide manager of Vista i don't have any unknown devices and in Network adapters only two are there:
Intel 82566 Gigabit and Intel Wifi 4965AGN.

#4 Post by **jdhurst** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:55 pm

I am wondering if the seller took the card out. That is what it is beginning to look like. No card in the Device Manager says no hardware installed. .... JDH

sokos · #5 Post by **sokos** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 6:08 pm

Does this model have a card inside? How could i know?
If he did take the card out, how much would a new one cost?

#6 Post by **jdhurst** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 6:31 pm

The most direct answer to your question is: I do not know.

That said, it is likely a mini-PCI or like card, and you would need a Hardware Maintenance Manual to see how to open the machine to add, replace or service the card. I know how to do this on my T41 / T61 but not on an X machine.

... JDH

perfecblue · #7 Post by **perfecblue** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:19 am

The quickest way to check if you have a WWAN card in your x300 is to loosen 2 screws on the back of the unit and remove the keyboard. The WWAN slot is under the keyboard, not on the back of the unit. If you've gotten your x300 from eBay, it's likely that the seller took out the card cuz it's worth quite a lot to sell one with FRU on the side.

x300 Hardware Maintenance Manual: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-69207

There's a detail instructions on page 80 of the PDF (or page 72 on the ACTUAL printed pages) for removing the keyboard.

sokos · #8 Post by **sokos** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:33 pm

thank you perfectblue.

Checked under the keyboard, no card there.
Neither on the bottom side of the machine, tough luck.

Where can i find such a miniPCI device and how much would it cost?

Will this one do the job?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0334052197

Any miniPCI will work with the Thinkpad application and Access Connection?

perfecblue · #9 Post by **perfecblue** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:06 am

Dear Sokos,

While the MC8775 is the correct card of choice for x300 WWAN; however, that card in the link doesn't seem to have Lenovo's FRU (Lenovo certified), this poses two problems:

1. The machine won't boot after installing the card (error 1804).
2. Access Connection does not recognize the card and won't be able to control it (although the generic software from Sierra Wireless will be able to).

For problem 1, you can message Zender in the forum for a patched BIOS of x300 to get around it. It's quite simple, download the ISO file, burn it to a CD, reboot with the CD, follow instructions on screen (with both battery and power cord connected). I've updated mine to the patched 1.08 with no problem. (but do acknowledge the risks of flashing BIOS.)

For problem 2, you can follow my tutorial to modify 2 files in AC for it to recognize and control the card : http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=63606, or you could just use Sierra Wireless' 3G Watcher to control WWAN radio.

It sounds like a hassle but it's actually quite simple since getting a working WWAN card with Lenovo FRU is extremely difficult and pricey.

sokos · #10 Post by **sokos** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:55 am

Thank you Perfectblue, you made it all crystal clear.

I will check around ebay for a Lenovo branded one but if i don't find a good deal, then I believe i ll follow your work-around.
thanks once again..

But i m still pretty [censored] with the ebay seller not sending the machine with the card inside..

X300 and how does the mobile internet work ?

X300 and how does the mobile internet work ?

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