Thinkpads Forum

i have a simplistic/naive question for someone who's familiar with bluetooth cards:
i just realized that my recently purchased t500 doesn't have a bluetooth card (fru 42t0969). i happen to own several t60p's that do have such cards (fru 39t0497) so by any chance would it be possible to use one of those in the t500??? i just took a quick look at each type of card (t500: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lenovo-Thinkpad ... 1174884552 || t60p: http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Lenovo-Thin ... 0771909447). since they're very similar-looking i was hoping this would be possible. they're all super cheap on ebay so ultimately no biggie if this isn't doable, just thought i'd ask

Get one of those $1 thumb USB bluetooth adapters and call it a day.

thnx for the suggestion......that sounds fine in general, but in this case i was hoping not to have to carry around another device etc. plus i've been experimenting with the t500's lcd anyway and the plastic cover/frame is still off, so it would be easy to access the spot where the bluetooth card should go. so does anyone happen to know if the old switcharoo is doable in this case???

fanoftp wrote: i just realized that my recently purchased t500 doesn't have a bluetooth card (fru 42t0969). i happen to own several t60p's that do have such cards (fru 39t0497) so by any chance would it be possible to use one of those in the t500???

I have used some BT3 cards from Tx20 or Tx30 series and it worked fine in T60. There are reports that BT2.1 from Tx00 series worked fine in T60.
So the answer is YES - these BT modules are electrically compatible. I don't know any about whitelist checks because my T60 is a FrankenPad with Middleton's BIOS so no whitelist checks at all. But if you already opened the lid it is easy to try.

Hans Gruber wrote:Get one of those $1 thumb USB bluetooth adapters and call it a day.

I don't accept your point of view. 3 USB ports is not so much to lose one for BT that have not so much work nowadays. Moreover - placing it in USB all day long makes it eat additional battery.
Lets it live in lid and can be switched off with Fn+F5 or main radio switch like it was engineered years ago;)

Yes they fit, but the T60 ones are of a different BT version.

This is the one you want:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lenovo-Bluetoot ... 41982c1424

many thnx everyone.......good to know the switch (t60p card --> t500) should be fine. since i have several spare/backup machines, i'll probably just do that.........will re-post if i run into any issues.

fanoftp wrote:many thnx everyone.......good to know the switch (t60p card --> t500) should be fine. since i have several spare/backup machines, i'll probably just do that.........will re-post if i run into any issues.

I think the T60p, if it's like an X60/61, is a BT 1.2 version. That is slow. You should install the p/n specified in the eBay link. It is EDR (enhanced data rate, 2.1mb/s. It also happens to be the Lenovo FRU for the T500. I don't know whether the older FRU is whitelisted for the T500.

precip9 wrote: I think the T60p, if it's like an X60/61, is a BT 1.2 version.

It is 2.0+EDR as opposed to 2.1+EDR from T500. I dont know what the differences between 2.0 and 2.1.

one more thing while we're talking t60/t500 subs: has anyone ever tried to sub a t500 palmrest with one from a t60p widescreen (15.4")?? i'm not super thrilled about the t500 touchpad despite its bigger surface area.......i find that the t60's touchpad is much nicer. (and yes, i admit to liking the touchpad over the trackpad for most things.....guess that makes me a heretic on this forum! )

Well for one, the audio in/out ports will be in the way if you try to use a T60 WS palmrest in a T500. Also, I believe the standoffs for the screws are different. You will end up with a buldge or crack depending on the height even if you manage to create cutouts for the ports.

ah yes, of course.......forgot about the different port layouts......thx

FryPpy wrote:

precip9 wrote: I think the T60p, if it's like an X60/61, is a BT 1.2 version.

It is 2.0+EDR as opposed to 2.1+EDR from T500. I dont know what the differences between 2.0 and 2.1.

In 2.1, the modern authentication method was introduced.