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Upgrade L420 Wireless lan adapter to a faster one

SL300/SL400/SL500, L400-L420 and L500-L520 Series
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psstdk
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2013 6:02 am
Location: Stege, Denmark

Upgrade L420 Wireless lan adapter to a faster one

#1 Post by psstdk » Sun Dec 15, 2013 6:11 am

I would love to upgrade from Intel Wireless-N 1000 to a AC wireless standard like the Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 802.11ac, dual-band, 2x2 http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ ... tooth.html

but I'm aware of it will demand modding the bios white list.
Don't understand that Lenovo have ad at least one AC wifi adapter with an FRU.

My question is can I use the Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (60Y3193) that I think is the second best option to the new AC wifi?
I can't find it under the part list. Or do one of you have an better solution, or experience with AC wifi and the correct bios mod?

Thanks

jayton4
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Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:00 am
Location: United States

Re: Upgrade L420 Wireless lan adapter to a faster one

#2 Post by jayton4 » Tue Dec 17, 2013 6:00 am

If you get the Intel 6300, you have to make sure it also has a Lenovo FRU number on the label for it to work with the BIOS whitelist. The 6300 is also a 3x3 card, which means it can provide even better performance when connected to a 3x3 router (usually the routers with 3 antennas). I upgraded 3 of my ThinkPads to the Intel 3x3 (1 5300 and 2 6300's) in my signature below.

Like you said, the 6300 is not listed as a choice for the L420, so I cannot be absolute certain that the 6300 card will work in the L420. The 6300 cards with Lenovo FRU on the label typically run from $30-40 USD on ebay, so you wouldn't be out a ton of money if it turned out that it doesn't work.

The documentation does list the Intel 6205 (60Y3253) dual band card, which is an improvement over the Intel 1000. Perhaps that would be a safer choice, like this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/171183784863
jayton4
Current models/upgrades:
T410 2518X01- 8GB, Corsair Force GT 120GB
T410s 2901A3U- 8GB, Intel 6300 WiFi, Crucial m4 256GB w/ mSATA>microSATA adapter
T420s 4174PPU- 16GB, Intel 520 180GB, Crucial M550 512GB mSATA, Intel 6300 WiFi
and a stack of classics in storage

psstdk
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2013 6:02 am
Location: Stege, Denmark

Re. Upgrade L420 Wireless lan adapter to a faster one

#3 Post by psstdk » Tue Dec 17, 2013 10:32 am

Thank you for your excellent response. Yes we totally agree Intel 6205 would be a safe choice and it can be found at a very reasonable price with Lenovo FRU numnmer (thanks for your link)

But I'm just still not satisfied, soon all routers with AC wifi standard. So I think I'll try to test with an Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 7260th
I have a bios update the whitelist removed. If that does not work I have to accept Intel 6205th

RealBlackStuff
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Re: Upgrade L420 Wireless lan adapter to a faster one

#4 Post by RealBlackStuff » Tue Dec 17, 2013 11:11 am

Register and check on this forum for a Slic BIOS with Whitelist removed: http://forums.mydigitallife.info
See for L420 here: http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thread ... ts/page293
Ask there for a fresh link as the Sendspace file is gone.
Once installed, you can use ANY wifi card.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.

PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine
.

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