Buy an internal wifi adapter card for S230 laptop, FRUSTRATED

[robfly]

I'm trying to upgrade my S230u laptop's Wi-Fi adapter.
The one that came with it is only bgn 2.4ghz and drops all the time.
I called Lenovo and they have replacements but don't have any spec's on the replacements.
I'm waiting on a call but don't expect much, every time I've had a problem I had to go elsewhere.
I looked up the S230u parts list and they have 2 FRU numbers 04W3834 and 04W3835.
The problem is it doesn't have any spec's, and I don't want to order the same thing I have.
The Lenovo tech gave me another FRU of 04w3765 but again he doesn't have any spec's
Hopefully the Lenovo tech will call back, I'll hold my breath...

I've found on amazon an Intel 7260 that look great but not sure if it's in the Lenovo bios whitelist.

Does any one know the spec's for any of these FRU's 04W3834 and 04W3835 and 04w3765?
Or if the Intel 7260 will work?

Are there any other WI-FI adapter that work that have these spec's:
Lenovo 3347CTO S230u
802.11abgn and ac and 2.4ghz and 5ghz
with Bluetooth and WIDI

I currently disabled the internal Wi-Fi adapter and went with a USB Wi-Fi adapter but it take up a USB port and sticks out.
I would like to just us the internal WI-FI adapter.

Worst case I could go to a site and let them hack the whitelist in the bios but really done want to do that yet.

Lenovo, whitelists very FRUSTRATED
Rob

Admin note: Moved from X230 forum.

[ZaZ]

If you google the part numbers you can find pictures of the cards, which will tell you the manufacturers. 04w3765 looks to be the Intel 2230, which would be my pick.

P.S. - We'd appreciate it if you put your location in your profile.

[robfly]

Ok I tried to google the fru number but it was little help.

I found the link on Lenovo site and it sort of leads me to believe that I can use the Intel 7260 card.
The link is:
http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/downloads/ds036008

When I look at the drivers supported WI-FI card it has the Intel 7260 and says think pad S230u laptop.
It also supports other WI-FI cards and laptops but I'm hoping they updated all the WI-FI card in the bios of all laptops.

I called Lenovo support and they were clueless.

I was hoping to get an answer from Lenovo but does look like they know about what they sell.

With this info I may just buy it from amazon for $30 and take a chance.

This is a good link and looking at other drivers may give other users of different laptop type a clue as to what Wi-Fi card may work in there laptops.

If anyone knows of a utility to printout the whitelist of the Lenovo bios please share.

Thanks
Rob

[Qing Dao]

The card from Amazon will not work. With the BIOS white list, you can't just pop in any wireless card. It HAS to be one from Lenovo.

[robfly]

The Lenovo driver text suggest that I can use the Intel 7260.
I think this driver support suggest that I can use the Intel 7260
This is the Lenovo link

http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/downloads/ds036008

The site says this;
Note for ThinkPad X1 Carbon users:
This document supports both X1 Carbon (Type 3443, 3444, 3446, 3448, 3460, 3462, 3463) and X1 Carbon (Type 20A7, 20A8).
To find your X1 Carbon Type, please click here for more details.

This package installs the software (Intel Wireless Display) to support the following devices.
•Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2200
•Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2230
•Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205
•Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300
•Intel Centrino Ultimate-N + WiMAX 6250
•Intel Dual Band Wireless AC7260
•Intel Dual Band Wireless-N 7260
•Intel Wireless-N 7260
•Intel HD Graphics Family



Supported ThinkPad Systems
•ThinkPad Edge 14, Edge 15
•ThinkPad Edge E40, Edge E50
•ThinkPad Edge E120, E125
•ThinkPad Edge E220s
•ThinkPad Edge E320, E325
•ThinkPad Edge E420, E420s
•ThinkPad Edge E520
• ThinkPad Helix (Type 3xxx)
•ThinkPad L412, L420, L421, L430, L440
•ThinkPad L512, L520, L530, L540
•ThinkPad S430
•ThinkPad T410, T410i, T410s, T410si, T420, T420i, T420s, T420si, T430, T430i, T430s, T430si, T431s, T440, T440p, T440s
•ThinkPad T510, T510i, T520, T520i, T530, T530i, T540p
•ThinkPad Twist S230u
•ThinkPad W510, W520, W530, W540, W541
•ThinkPad X1, X1 Carbon, X1 Carbon (Types: 20A7, 20A8), X1 Helix (Type 3xxx), X1 Helix (Type 3xxx) 3G, X1 Hybrid
•ThinkPad X100e, X121e, X130e
•ThinkPad X201, X201i, X201s, X220, X220i
•ThinkPad X201 Tablet, X220 Tablet, X220i Tablet, X230, X230i, X230 Tablet, X230i Tablet, X230s, X240, X240s

[Qing Dao]

It isn't that simple, unfortunately. A 7260AC may be white listed in the BIOS, but only a Lenovo 7260AC will work.

[robfly]

Oh, what a pain,
Is there a utility that can print out the whitelist from the bios.

Then maybe I could find a part number or fru number in the list since Lenovo can't seem to find one.

I found this on amazon, it says it S230u compatible.
It's doesn't have 802.11ac and doesn't have WIDI but it does have 5ghz.

http://www.amazon.com/BCM943228HMB-04W3 ... ds=04w3763

This really doesn't make sense, Lenovo is loosing money if I can't find an adapter

Am I just SOL on this, and stuck with a USB adapter.

Thanks for the help, I've gotten a lot further than with Lenovo.
Rob