Wirelss upgrade from b to G on A31p successful... :)

[daeojkim]

I just upgraded A31p that came with 802.11b with 802.11g using the IBM 802.11 b/g Atheros chip miniPCI card that I bought from underclocker oon this forum.

I thought I may have to do a CMOS hack to bypass 1802 error but apparently there was no problem.

One down side is that I lost capability to use modem, but again who uses modem these days.
Also when booting it takes a little longer as it sits there for about 20 seconds then gives me a message that says "2 ethernet cards detected". I just press ESC and proceed to windows. After that everything works well.

I am using it right now and it is working superbly.

[a31pguy]

I've tried the card you mention in my a31p - but that message and the length of time to boot isn't worth it to me. I just bought a pcmcia G linksys card until someone figures out the BIOS hack to bypass the two ethernet cards found.


So any good BIOS hackers out there?

[daeojkim]

That message does not really bother me at all. Plus being internal and using built in antenna was a big plus for me.

I thought about using the PC card ones but I have to use the PC slot for USB 2.0 card for my iPod and other USB devices. Also since I am using it as desktop replacement it is most likely to go to sleep rather than doing a complete shut down when not in use.

I would not touch the BIOS even with a 10' pole unless it is something released by IBM. You can make the wrong move and your systemboard is toast. IBM will not flush the BIOS but rather replace the systemboard.

[ksaisjja]

I have an A31 that was not wireless-enabled. I was able to order the antenna kit from IBM and I found a mini-PCI 802.11b card on Ebay for $30.

I installed the antenna tonight and am waiting for the PCI card to arrive. I had thought about going with a PC Card solution, but the internal antenna looks like a better solution. Plus, everything is internal and I have my PC card slots free if I need them.

--Henry