MiniPCI WiFi card for T42

[dennis714]

Got T42, but without any minipci installed. I didn't disassemble it yet, so just want to ask: can I buy any non-IBM certified WiFI minipci card? Are antennas already inside or I need them to and install it?

[sjthinkpader]

Most T4x has antennae installed already. You can check your Type and Model number on lenovo.com and tell if your machine is upgradeable.

[rkawakami]

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

Specifically, you can go to this page: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... OME-LENOVO

and enter your seven character TYPE (e.g., 2373-4NU) in the "Enter a product number" field. You will then get back something like this:

Product: ThinkPad T41 2373-4NU
Operating system: All

Original description: P M 1.6GHz, 256MB RAM, 40GB 5400rpm HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024X768) TFT LCD, 32MB ATI Radeon 7500, Open bay, Wireless upgradeable, Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip(TCPA), 6 cell Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro

"Wireless upgradeable" means that the antennas are in the lid but the MiniPCI slot under the keyboard is empty. If you do not already have the T4x Hardware Maintenance Manual, then you can get a copy from here:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-46464

[sktn77a]

I didn't disassemble it yet, so just want to ask: can I buy any non-IBM certified WiFI minipci card?

Yes, but you'll need to do the "1802" BIOS hack.

[ajkula66]

And at today's low prices of genuine IBM cards, why bother with anything else?

[sjthinkpader]

Unless you want the 11n cards.

[TTav134]

Got T42, but without any minipci installed. I didn't disassemble it yet, so just want to ask: can I buy any non-IBM certified WiFI minipci card? Are antennas already inside or I need them to and install it?

hello,

you can use my bios with include also a slic 2.1 for windows 7 activation.

MOD BIOS 1RETDRWW (3.23) with SLIC 2.1 (LENOVOTP-7U) including also NO-1802 mod.

This release supports the following systems:
- ThinkPad R50, R50p
- ThinkPad R51 (M/T 1829, 1830, 1831 and 1836)(*1)
- ThinkPad T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p

File Name: T42-SLIC2.1_7U_no_1802.rar
download link: http://www.sendspace.com/file/j2ekci

[Power_Dr]

Do they make a miniPCI "N" adaptor for the T42?

Thanks

[Peak2Peak]

Do they make a miniPCI "N" adaptor for the T42?

If you can get around the BIOS whitelist, check out cards at OxfordTec -

[sjthinkpader]

I am using a TP-Link Atheros AR5008 card in my T42p.

[moriel5]

Hi, does anyone still have a copy of the T42's modded BIOS?
Update: No matter, I managed to download it by accessing an archived version of the SendSpace link (WayBack Machine is certainly awesome).