ThinkPad 600E and mini-pci cards

[DrGonzo]

Hello,

I already looked into the pdfs at ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com, but couldn't find the information I need. That's why I'm asking you folks:

I just bought a used ThinkPad 600E (300 MHz) and would like to add a mini-pci wifi card.
It's a mini-pci type IIIa card, does anybody know if the ThinkPad 600E can already handle that type of card?

Thanks,
Dr. Gonzo

[Bruce Guttman]

Are you talking about a PC-Card or the little memory-like module that plugs in the bottom of a 600X?

If you are talking about a PC-Card (used to be called PCMCIA), yes you can use a Type III.

If you are talking about the module that fits in like a memory, then no, you can't plug it in anywhere. Only the 600X has a socket like that, and it contains the modem.

Hope this helps.

[DrGonzo]

If you are talking about the module that fits in like a memory, then no, you can't plug it in anywhere. Only the 600X has a socket like that, and it contains the modem.

Hope this helps.

yes, this is what I was talking about.
that's bad, didn't know that there a that big differences between 600E and 600X

EDIT: I think I'll sell the 600E and buy a 600X instead.
I have just seen someone selling a 600X with wifi built in (mini-pci), so this mod must be possible with the 600X, I think.

The only remaining question is what kind of antenna to use. Since I want this notebook to be my wardriving machine , I'll try to mod an antenna connector to the back panel. What I have to figure out is if I can connect a second, internal antenna to the wifi card, too. Most mini-pci cards have an AUX connector, don't they?

[MadeInJapan]

Most mini-pci card do have "main" and "aux." However, both are usually connected up and terminate behind the LCD screen for maximum reception. If you look around on this forum you'll see some links to different mods people have done, including drilling holes in their laptop to connect and external antenna. Btw, Hawking sells some pretty nice external antennas at fairly decent prices...check at CompUSA for them...just bought one before Christmas for my Accesspoint in my home.