X60T to X61T Upgrade (General + WWAN questions)

[grunger106]

I have an X60T 6363 with an XGA MT+MV screen, its only problem is that it's BIOS was password protected and the only boot device allowed was the HDD, but as I have another X60T - I used that for the windows install then put the disk in the MT X60T.

But as I was on ebay recently I saw a X61T Board for sale (FRU: 43Y9032) which I've just bought with a view of transplanting this into my X60T body.

A few questions -

1. This should work right? AFAIK the boards/screens are the same fitting between the 2 machines?

2. On the screen, the little sticker strip where it says Lenovo X60 and has the Wifi lights etc - can you buy one that says X61? I know it's just cosmetic, but if anyone has one/knows where to get them....

3. This FRU has the sim card holder and second PCI-E slot, so could take a WWAN card I think (Is this correct?), however my screen doesn't have the WWAN ariel or cables, are these possible to add?
It looks like there is an FRU: 39P4365, would that do it? Is it easy to install? I don't want to damage my MT screen!

Thanks!

[Raceboy]

Board transplant is easy and you won't damage your screen. Also X61T board should have the 2nd mPCI-E slot already soldered.

AFAIK there is no FRU for the SIM card holder as it is soldered onto the system board but I have added them previously ordering SIM card holder from RS Online. There are many types avaliable but they are cheap (~1 £ a piece).

WWAN antennas and clearplates are readily available on ebay.

[grunger106]

The board has the SIM card slot onboard.....

So it should be an easy swap for the motherboard, I've dismantled X6xT units before, and have some spare bases so thats good!

I've got a Serria WWAN card comming (a lenovo OK'd one) and also a clearplate and antenna, Are there any instructions on retrofitting the antenna+clearplate into the screen housing? This is the part that makes me slightly nervous, as I really don't want to damage the MultiTouch panel...

[Raceboy]

It is not any different than standard WWAN antenna install. You have to remove LCD bezel, loosen four screws that hold the panel in place and lift the panel in order to fit the adhesive portion of the antenna under the LCD. After that route the cable and tuck it through the hinge which is the trickiest part.

You can see how and where to route the antenna cable in HMM: http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... 551_02.pdf

I recommend sourcing a 3M or TESA thin double-sided tape to replace the factory stuff upon assembling the LCD bezel. TESA is better as it is stronger.

Do you have any X60 Tablet boards with L7400 Core 2 Duo CPU (1.5 GHz)? If so, I would be interested.

[grunger106]

Sorry the only spare working X60 board is a 1.8 CoreDuo that only starts from the primary disk and is BIOS locked to do so...

Swapped my board in and all is well, in doing so I found a third ariel wire comming from the screen is that for 'N' wifi? Can I be used for WWAN, I have the plastic bit comming that sticks out of the screen, maybe I don't need to bother with that bit?

[Raceboy]

If you already have the WWAN aerial then use that as a MAIN and you can use the white wifi aerial (3rd for N-cards) as AUX on WWAN card.