Thinkpads Forum

I bought a 2516-cto with the low end wifi and later learned I should have chosen an upgraded wifi because I need 5ghz support to make full use of my dual-band airport without the thinkpad having to share with 802.11g devices.

So I called support and they recommended ordering a WLAN part, which I did. The HMM tells me where to install it but guess what --I have no slot there, only the longer wan slot and ram. Suport denies that this is possible, wouldn't let me send a photo, and has no record that they recommended that I buy the part, and sort of implied I was lying. Before I throw this laptop off a bridge, does anyone know if I can install this card, or if I should try to return it (and pay an exorbitant restock fee no doubt)?

What is the FRU number on the part? I have the same machine with an Intel 6300 in it. Not sure what you mean by no slot. It would be a direct replacement for your existing 'low end' card. I am assuming that you originally ordered the Thinkpad BGN card?

ThinkPad bgn Wireless
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000 [$0.00]
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 (2x2 AGN) [add $20.00]
Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN) [add $40.00]
Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250 [add $55.00]

The FRU is 60Y3231. Yes, I got the laptop with the default ThinkPad BGN. There is no card for it in my back panel. Below is a picture of the opened panel, and the only two slots are for RAM, and an empty slot that I believe is for WWAN. I say that because there's no anchor for a short card, only the screws at the far side. I did try plugging my card into that slot, though, without anchoring it down. I attached the two cables in both possible ways and in neither case was Windows (windows 7 64-bit) able to power on the card. I did get a new device detected, however, and it was indeed the Intel 6200, so the slot works to some degree.

There is no card for it in your back panel, because that is not where it goes. It's under the keyboard, which you have to remove. See the maintenance manual, page 105.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 74470.html

Wonderful, that's a huge help. I actually was working from the HMM at http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... 271_03.pdf, which is the document Lenovo support pointed me to, and it has the WLAN card on the bottom slot. I will try the instructions in the HMM you linked me to right away, thanks Harryc!