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Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

T60/T61 Series
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123434
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Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#1 Post by 123434 » Tue May 22, 2018 5:07 am

Hello
Can I put this wifi AC-card to T61 ? ( Middleton Bios )
Intel 7260NGW AN.
M.2: A+E-key connectors.
https://www.amazon.com/Intel-7260NGW-Wi ... 00GUNZUG0

Do those "m2 to mini pci-e adapters" work ?

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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#2 Post by RealBlackStuff » Tue May 22, 2018 6:51 am

Nope, you need a card like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/273215327211 with a 1/2-size bracket like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/262542920366
Make sure your card says: Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260
The bracket you can make yourself from e.g. an old credit card.
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123434
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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#3 Post by 123434 » Tue May 22, 2018 11:06 pm

Ok. I have also a excess:
Mini PCI-E 7260HMW (AC 7260)
M.2. 7260NGW AN

I kind of thought that M.2 would be faster or so... :oops:
Is that M.2 card a AC-version is AN=AC ? :oops:

Stupid questions:

1.) Does bluetooth work ?
2.) Will the reception be poorer because only 2/3 antenna wires are being used ?

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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#4 Post by RealBlackStuff » Wed May 23, 2018 12:12 am

There is no M2 slot in a T61.
1) yes
2) no

123434
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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#5 Post by 123434 » Thu May 24, 2018 12:58 am

Before I open the T61 14.1"widescreen laptop again is the Intel Dual Band 7260HMW 802.11AC 2-antenna surely the best or close mini pci-e wifi card to put in to T61 in year 2018 ?
http://www.legitreviews.com/intel-7260h ... 11n_135541

Thanks for answers

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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#6 Post by RealBlackStuff » Thu May 24, 2018 7:23 am

Most of my current machines run with 7260-AC and Intel IT-Administrator drivers, without that Proset bloatware.
They are more than good enough for me. YMMV.

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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#7 Post by 123434 » Mon May 28, 2018 5:33 am

Seems like 7260AC BT4.0 Mini PCI-E is kind of "old" year 2014 and not so fast ? :oops:
There are bunch of newer cards from intel:
8260AC BT4.2 (2015)
9260AC BT5.0 (2017)
??? (2018)
I might try them if I find for free or cheaply.
Bought already a "M.2.type A+E to Mini PCI-e adapter".

I bought also a EDUP EP-AC1621 USB3.0 WiFi.
It has a Realtek RTL8814AU-chip same as ASUS USB-AC68.

There are so many options. I'm very confused about which is the best.

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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#8 Post by shawross » Mon May 28, 2018 6:21 pm

Go for the 7260-AC as RBS suggested because the T61 will limit your speeds more than that Intel card.

The 2014 dated card will be fine in a Thinkpad made in 2007.
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123434
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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#9 Post by 123434 » Mon May 28, 2018 10:49 pm

To use 7260AC wifi card's newer bluetooth 4.0.
Do I have to unplug the Lenovo's(7663-DQ4) own bluetooth 2.0 connector: "2030 Bluetooth daughter card (BDC-2)" ?
- Does the bluetooth's green indicator led light work in T61 when using the mini pci-e 7260AC card's bluetooth ?

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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#10 Post by RealBlackStuff » Tue May 29, 2018 4:27 am

Yes.
-Probably not.

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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#11 Post by E350 » Tue May 29, 2018 9:42 pm

Please post up your experience. Because when I disconnected the BT daughter card IIRC, the AC7260 BT would not engage. So I just updated the BT daughter card for $12 on ebay. In fact I have one on the table to install on my wife's T61p.

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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#12 Post by SKA » Thu May 31, 2018 9:22 pm

Dear E350

Which BT card did you get ? Any link please ?

Thanks
Ska

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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#13 Post by E350 » Fri Jun 01, 2018 7:33 am

Here you go: Bluetooth 4.0 Card FRU: 60Y3303 60Y3305 Use For T400 T410 T420 X200 X201 X220

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-4-0- ... 2749.l2649

BTW, I now like using Bluetooth. I stream audio from the laptops to the stereo via BT. But the BT daughter card is a relatively weak transmitter. So it is basically line of sight, which is fine for that use for me because the stereo is in the room where the laptop is.

For using BT headphones outside while working in the yard, I actually do not use the laptop's BT. Instead I plug into the audio out jack a separate higher power stand alone BT transmitter. If it is on the second floor, I have use of the headphones all over the yard. I cannot recommend the ~$89 Miccus separate high power stand alone BT transmitter which I bought on Amazon. I bought two one is still working fine, the other failed and the Square Trade warranty did not cover it (I will never buy a Square Trade warranty again). This looks like a good alternative with a 3 year warranty included:

https://www.amazon.com/Avantree-Bluetoo ... long+range

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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#14 Post by 123434 » Fri Jun 08, 2018 10:27 am

Yes the 7260 AC works well on Wifi AC-part...
Though I have problems installing the latest 2018 Intel PROSet-software because this is a fresh Win7 64-bit install and I don't have the correct KB????????s and other windows updates... Frustrating when I don't want to install all existing updates and fill my HDD just the KBs that really matter.
I installed:
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2008, 2010, 2017.
- KB2533623.

Intel's bluetooth 4.0 software is installed but at the moment not working and does not get identified at all:
- I have disabled the Thinkpad's own Bluetooth 2.0 on Device Manager's -> Bluetooth Radios
- I did not detach the T61's own bluetooth connector wire because that requires opening the screen and a lot of work...

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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#15 Post by RealBlackStuff » Fri Jun 08, 2018 10:35 am

Dump that Intel Proset bloatware!
Download the Intel IT-Administrator files instead, they contain only the drivers, without that bloatware!

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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#16 Post by Sweater Fish Deluxe » Sat Jun 09, 2018 12:38 am

123434 wrote:
Fri Jun 08, 2018 10:27 am
Intel's bluetooth 4.0 software is installed but at the moment not working and does not get identified at all:
I think you have to use the second mPCIe slot (the one above the Expresscard bay). The slot the WLAN card comes in by default doesn't carry the USB lanes which is how the bluetooth on these cards is actually connected. I'm pretty sure on the T61 (unlike the T60) the second slot (sometimes occupied by WWAN) carries both PCIe and USB, though, so both the wifi and bluetooth on your 7260NGW should work in that slot.

I don't know if you'll also have to fully remove the stock bluetooth card to get it working, but if so, it's not really that bad. You only have to remove the screen bezel, not disassemble the entire screen.

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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#17 Post by 123434 » Sun Jun 10, 2018 1:05 am

Ok:
Computer stats:
- Card 2014 year Intel 7260-AC installed in place of original 4965AG 1st mPCIe slot. ( I don't think the antenna wires are long enough to reach the 2nd mPCIe slot=the place where "turbo memories" can be located ? )
- Windows 7 64-bit ( =All updates updated KBxxxxxs.)
- Lenovo T61 14.1" widescreen.
- Middleton BIOS.
- Thinkpad Bluetooth 2.0 sister card inside the screen still attached.

Wifi AC works well but:
Bluetooth 4.0 is not recognized in Device Manager:
- Tried to put a sticker to Pin#51.
- Tried to disable\enable BIOS and set to defaults.
- Installed different versions of Intel BT-software but they are pretty much useless because the BT-device is not visible.


Now after these tinkerings even the original Lenovo BT 2.0 card is now invisible in Device Manager. :D

123434
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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#18 Post by 123434 » Sun Jun 10, 2018 2:14 am

Sweater Fish Deluxe wrote:
Sat Jun 09, 2018 12:38 am
123434 wrote:
Fri Jun 08, 2018 10:27 am
Intel's bluetooth 4.0 software is installed but at the moment not working and does not get identified at all:
I think you have to use the second mPCIe slot (the one above the Expresscard bay). The slot the WLAN card comes in by default doesn't carry the USB lanes which is how the bluetooth on these cards is actually connected. I'm pretty sure on the T61 (unlike the T60) the second slot (sometimes occupied by WWAN) carries both PCIe and USB, though, so both the wifi and bluetooth on your 7260NGW should work in that slot.

I don't know if you'll also have to fully remove the stock bluetooth card to get it working, but if so, it's not really that bad. You only have to remove the screen bezel, not disassemble the entire screen.
Love and Kisses I placed it to 2nd mPCIe slot on T61 and Bluetooth Wireless is now in Device Manager :bow: :bow: :bow: I hope it works now... at least it is recognized. :thumbs-UP:

I also noticed flickering green wifi+BT indicator led-lights are always OFF when the wifi-card is placed in 2nd mPCIe slot.

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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#19 Post by beskus » Fri Jun 15, 2018 10:56 pm

There is an mPCIe card that houses Intel's 8260 chip called 8260D2W (revised version of 7260NGW, dont know exact overall improvements). AFAIK this is the most modern 802.11 b/g/n/ac card that will fit in a T61(p) without M.2 adapter, and drivers for GNU/linux are readily available for this chipset. Just bought one of these off the web and report back with the results :D

I am espacially interested in getting either one of the two BT modules working, since powering two non-coexistant wifi chips sounds like a waste of battery power.
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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#20 Post by RealBlackStuff » Sat Jun 16, 2018 9:02 am

FYI: that 8260D2W does NOT include BlueTooth.

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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#21 Post by beskus » Sun Jun 17, 2018 8:46 am

RealBlackStuff wrote:
Sat Jun 16, 2018 9:02 am
FYI: that 8260D2W does NOT include BlueTooth.
Hmm, thats strange. This spec sheet from Intel (pdf) states it supports Bluetooth 4.2.

In any case, i'd be glad if my peticular card does not support it. Saves me the whole duality hassle between the integrated BT.
Lenovo; I dont want Lenovo's
IBM Thinkpad: T60, R52, X31, G40, A20p, 240X, 380Z, 701Cs, 365XD, 340, 860, TransNote
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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#22 Post by RealBlackStuff » Sun Jun 17, 2018 9:31 am

Intel themselves do not make a Mini PCI-e 8260-AC, only an M.2 format which does NOT fit in a T6x.
But the Chinese made a knock-off Mini PCI-e 8260-AC without BT, see here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/263563924800

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Re: Can I put this wifi AC to T61:Intel 7260NGW AN ?

#23 Post by beskus » Sun Jun 17, 2018 10:08 am

I must say I am not suprised the chinese sell counterfeit chips. I hope these are at par with the genuine one's apart from the lack of integrated bluetooth.
It should be possible to passively adapt a single-lane M.2 (the case on the real 8260D2W), I might consider that if the card turns out to be a mess...

Another quick question, is the Bluetooth 4.0 card (FRU 60Y3305/60Y3303) from less dated thinkpads more power efficient than the original T61 card? Or is the difference negligitable? If I upgrade the integrated card it should support "Bluetooth Low Enery". It also means Fn-F5 and the LED indicator would still work compared to the integrated Bluetooth on a 7260/8260 card.
Lenovo; I dont want Lenovo's
IBM Thinkpad: T60, R52, X31, G40, A20p, 240X, 380Z, 701Cs, 365XD, 340, 860, TransNote
IBM PS2/note: 700C, N51sx, N33sx, CL57sx

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