Question(s) about an A31 wireless N install.....

[smw6230]

I've read dozens of the 'How to' posts and before I actually do this I have two questions.

1) What type, or what is the best type, of internal antenna should I use for an LCD (outside) mount job?

Several of the posts that I read on the subject here are dated and I can no longer find those antenna's. The only antenna mentioned that I can find on ebay is the TYCO Laptop Wireless Mini PCI PCI-E Internal Antenna (http://cgi.ebay.com/Tyco-Universal-Wire ... 4146c1165a). Cost isn't an overriding issue. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg, but I want to do it once, do it right, and come away with a good reception.

The wireless N card that I'll be putting into the A31 will be the TP-LINK TL-WN861N (two connectors). Also I have a new A31 LCD lid (with the wifi stickers on the side) that I will be mounting the antenna in.

2) If I do the install right, how much if any loss of signal will I suffer when compared to a PCMCIA adapter? I currently have a Buffalo wireless N adapter that works perfectly. Unfortunately I hate the fact that it blocks the 2.0 USB adapter that I installed, coupled with the fact that it sticks out and my hand is always bumping into it. It really is an accident waiting to happen. Going internal is really the way to go, but I don't want to lose speed/performance.

Any help would be appreciated.

[RealBlackStuff]

Since that card only requires 2 cables, ask around on the forum if someone has a (cracked/damaged) lid out of which you could transfer the antennas.
Make sure to ask for the right size lid (14" or 15").
Probably antennas from a same-size T40x would also fit in there, although they have different mounting.

Using the correct antennas, reception should be better than the PCMCIA card.

[smw6230]

Since that card only requires 2 cables, ask around on the forum if someone has a (cracked/damaged) lid out of which you could transfer the antennas.
Make sure to ask for the right size lid (14" or 15").
Probably antennas from a same-size T40x would also fit in there, although they have different mounting.

Using the correct antennas, reception should be better than the PCMCIA card.

Thanks for the answers.

[ElbertR]

The type of screen really doesn't matter. You just need the A31 / A31P wireless antenna which is part number (FRU) 27L0684. Most thinkpad part suppliers will have these in stock. You can find one on ebay once in a while too.

For a USB 2.0 PCMCIA card that is flush with the laptop (nothing sticking out) look on ebay for the AKE BC168 USB Cardbus card.

[ElbertR]

For a USB 2.0 PCMCIA card that is flush with the laptop (nothing sticking out) look on ebay for the AKE BC168 USB Cardbus card ($10 to $30).

Other upgrades:

- WD 320 GB IDE drive $80
- TPLINK MiniPCI Wireless B/G/N card $30
- Wireless antenna IBM part number (FRU) 27L0684 (disassembly required to install it, not difficult if you follow the HMM, I have done it so many times, I can do it in 15 minutes or less).
- 2 x 1GB PC2100 or PC2700 about $30 each
- 2.4 (SL6VC) or 2.5Ghz (SL6WY) Pentium 4-M about $30 to $50 on Ebay. 2.6Ghz (SL6WZ) will cost between $50 and $85.
- New Battery about $40 on Ebay
- DVD Multi burner $40 to $85 (for a ultrabay adapter you can buy a cheap ultrabay CD-Rom player and remove the parts from it).
- Ultrabay SATA drive adapter $25 - 40
- 640 GB SATA Drive $85 (Western Digital Scorpio Blue). Perhaps not very fast, but lots of storage space!

Other possible upgrades:
- A PCMCIA memory card reader for multiple formats ($10 to $40).
- Small boom microphone that plug into mic port on left side $10
- For A31P: IBM Ultraport camera on top of the screen gives decent enough picture for use with Skype ($40 to $75)

Adding internal Bluetooth is possible too. Needs a clearplate under the screen, BMDC 200B card (includes modem) and antenna.

If you always use the laptop on the same desk (at the office or at home) get a cheap Docking station (Model 2631) that includes another ultraport, pci slot and has its own power supply (so you can keep your adapter in your bag).

An (extra) AC/DC power adapter (with cig. lighter connector) and a separate battery charger are also options.

With all these updates/extra's you can have great laptop that will last for years to come.

[RealBlackStuff]

Not to burst your bubble, but that number of updates/upgrades is WAY over the top moneywise ($425 and counting...).
You can almost get a new laptop for that money!
For less than that you can buy a decently specced T60 (or even an R400), which is much more up to date.
And then there is also this dirt-cheap R500: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0473769766

[smw6230]

Not to burst your bubble, but that number of updates/upgrades is WAY over the top moneywise ($425 and counting...).
You can almost get a new laptop for that money!
For less than that you can buy a decently specced T60 (or even an R400), which is much more up to date.
And then there is also this dirt-cheap R500: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0473769766

Um, yeah. Somewhat astonishingly I've managed to upgrade this entire computer to factory new (2gb RAM, 250gb HDD, IDTech screen, new plastics everywhere, brand new motherboard) rather cheaply. I'm not really missing out on anything that I need so further upgrades are probably pointless.

FWIW, I already have the inside or hide PCMCIA 2.0 USB card. The problem with it is my wifi adapter goes in the opposite slot and the exposed portion of that card doesn't allow unimpeded access to the 2.0 ports. I can work it in there but I have to bend the wifi card and that will cause future problems. Otherwise I have to remove the wifi card, break internet access, and do what I have to do then reinsert the card. That's kinda a drag so going internal, if it works as well as the card, is probably my best route.

[ElbertR]

Not to burst your bubble, but that number of updates/upgrades is WAY over the top moneywise ($425 and counting...).
You can almost get a new laptop for that money!
For less than that you can buy a decently specced T60 (or even an R400), which is much more up to date.
And then there is also this dirt-cheap R500: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0473769766

Those prices are at the high end you might find. Lots of cheaper deals available. I have build up 3 good A31P's just from cheap parts / broken units on Ebay. Just got one for $40 which only had a bad screen (backlight out, which I can repair). The system board alone is worth $150.

Of course any new laptop might also need some upgrades, which will cost a lot more.

Know about any other 3-spindle laptops still in use in the international space station???

Only suitable replacement for me would be a new top of the line W series which can take 2 hard drives, but will run you over $2,000.

[RealBlackStuff]

In its heyday the A31p was a great machine, and in many respects it still is, but it is 'ancient' technology by today's standards.

I only use laptops when traveling and for some specific purposes. Otherwise they are literally too much "in your face".
I prefer a larger, further away, LCD which is NOT "in my face" and a full keyboard.
My installation of Windows + all the programs I use is about 8GB.
I have a further ca. 60GB of user data.
So one ~80GB HD would be sufficient for my computing needs.
To collect millions of MP3 and photos on a laptop with let's say 1TB of hard disk space is a waste of resources if you ask me...

[ajkula66]

A3x series was one of IBM's most outstanding notebook designs ever, and an engineering "tour de force" in its own right.

That being said, they are getting long in the tooth, especially when it comes to graphics performance. Even the well-loved and in its day very powerful Fire GL 7800 is seriously out of breath when faced with an operating system newer than XP.

One has to be careful when upgrading these machines, because they can eat a lot of money in a heartbeat, money that could be spent on a newer ThinkPad that will outperform any A3x in almost any task imaginable.

I'll always have at least one A31p, fully loaded, up and running. It is - and will always be - my favourite ThinkPad. But for people looking for a machine that is practical to use in today's environment, there are many other choices available at a price of a maxed-out A31p.