X60 GPS card and Linux Queries

[lambch0ps]

Hey

Im the proud owner of a used Thinkpad X60 and I had a couple of questions about it but wasnt sure which subforum to go to.


(X60, flanked by Lenovo 3000n200)

I have several questions about the thinkpad and getting a GPS card as well as running it under linux. There are other threads (I actually did a search) - http://www.thinkpads.com/forum/viewtopi ... it=x60+gps but im still not entirely sure. My laptop doesnt have a GPS/WWAN card and looking it up online only confuses me more.

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Wireless_WAN_Adapters

Basically, I want to be able to use the laptops GPS system, and if possible, I wish to use it under linux. I have no real need for data ( I can use tethering from my phone). I honestly have no idea what to get and what my options are.

The laptop I have has the model number of 1707-C9M. There isnt really much literature about this type of system.

Cheers, and thanks for your time.

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the forum.
For GPS to function, you'd need a laptop with WWAN, that's a separate slot on the motherboard for such a card, as well as a special antenna on the side of the lid.
I happen to have a very nice X60s with WWAN for sale.
The X60s models have a low-voltage CPU for better battery life, and are also a little bit lighter in weight than regular X60.

X60s (1702-A11)
Based on 1702-3QU: L2400(1.66GHz), 1GB RAM, 60GB 5400rpm HD, 12.1in 1024x768 LCD, Intel 950, Intel 802.11abg wireless, WWAN, Bluetooth/Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 8c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro
RAM, HD and battery to be discussed.
PM me if interested.

For Linux Questions there's a separate forum: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewforum.php?f=9

[lambch0ps]

Welcome to the forum.
For GPS to function, you'd need a laptop with WWAN, that's a separate slot on the motherboard for such a card, as well as a special antenna on the side of the lid.
I happen to have a very nice X60s with WWAN for sale.
The X60s models have a low-voltage CPU for better battery life, and are also a little bit lighter in weight than regular X60.

X60s (1702-A11)
Based on 1702-3QU: L2400(1.66GHz), 1GB RAM, 60GB 5400rpm HD, 12.1in 1024x768 LCD, Intel 950, Intel 802.11abg wireless, WWAN, Bluetooth/Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 8c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro
RAM, HD and battery to be discussed.
PM me if interested.

For Linux Questions there's a separate forum: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewforum.php?f=9

Thanks for your offer

Unfortunately, I dont have the funds for a new laptop, I'm only looking for help and information about what type of WWAN/GPS card to get for my system, since you guys have more knowledge and experience than I have.

[RealBlackStuff]

Without a WWAN slot on your motherboard, you'll need to forget about your GPS.
But the Gobi 2000 is a viable option, if...
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Qualcomm_Gobi_2000

[twistero]

Well, interestingly ltwbook does not have any entries for 1707.

Looking at the photo, your X60 does not seem to have WWAN antennas on the lid, so most likely the machine is not WWAN-upgradable, but it's best to physically inspect the motherboard to be sure. You will have to remove the keyboard and palm rest, which is very easy. Grab a copy of the Hardware Maintenance Manual on Lenovo's website, which has instructions for disassembling the computer as well as locations of the card slots.

If you do have a secondary mini PCIe socket on the motherboard, then it's easy to add a WWAN/GPS card, although you will still need to install WWAN antennas.
If there's no secondary mini PCIe slot, you can solder one on, but that's considerably more effort and risk.

But the easiest thing to do is to use an external GPS module.

[lambch0ps]

Well, interestingly ltwbook does not have any entries for 1707.

Looking at the photo, your X60 does not seem to have WWAN antennas on the lid, so most likely the machine is not WWAN-upgradable, but it's best to physically inspect the motherboard to be sure. You will have to remove the keyboard and palm rest, which is very easy. Grab a copy of the Hardware Maintenance Manual on Lenovo's website, which has instructions for disassembling the computer as well as locations of the card slots.

If you do have a secondary mini PCIe socket on the motherboard, then it's easy to add a WWAN/GPS card, although you will still need to install WWAN antennas.
If there's no secondary mini PCIe slot, you can solder one on, but that's considerably more effort and risk.

But the easiest thing to do is to use an external GPS module.

Thanks for all your replies guys. Here is a closeup of the laptop lid if it helps. Im slightly nervous about opening up my new (old) thinkpad, so I would rather not open it just to take a look, I'd rather only do it once to install the card and that's it.

http://i.imgur.com/blURa.jpg
(image link instead of embedded because its high res, dont want to charge mobile users for data)


It is easier to use a dongle, I guess. On that topic however, does anybody happen to know of any mobile application (for Symbian or android) which can share its GPS with a computer via bluetooth or something ? Maybe tell me the teriminology of what its called so I can do some looking up myself ?

Thanks again guys.

[RealBlackStuff]

You don't have a WWAN antenna.
But you might have a WWAN slot on your motherboard (under the palmrest, next to the wifi-card).
That still wouldn't do you any good without the proper antenna though...

X60 (1707-C9M)
T2500(2GHz), 1GB RAM, 80GB 5400rpm HD, 12.1in 1024x768 LCD, Intel 950, Intel 802.11abg wireless, Bluetooth/Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 4c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

[lambch0ps]

I guess there is little point opening it up if there is no special antennae place on the screen ? There seems little point then worrying about the WWAN/GPS Cards. Unless I replace the entire screen panel and get a replacement with the antennae, but that seems overkill for somebody who is unwilling to open it up in the first place.

[lambch0ps]

aaand im a moron. And feeling WAY above my head.

So I opened it, and surprise, surprise, there is no WWAN card nor is there an antenna cable.

http://i.imgur.com/xovoMl.jpg

I guess that leads me (feasibly) to either a USB dongle or using a cellphones GPS and pairing it somehow.

[twistero]

See? It's fun!

As for apps to turn cell phone into GPS receiver, googling "android bluetooth gps" should get you enough leads to start with. For example, here's one such app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... h.shareGPS

[lambch0ps]

Fun, but nerve wracking. I got it back together. Too bad there arent such appications for symbian (or I cant seem to find them), my android phone sucks battery anyways, it will be worse with bluetooth and GPS running.

EDIT : I seem to have found one :

http://www.symarctic.com/beta/static.ph ... s_download

[twistero]

Yeah, I remember seeing such an app back in my Symbian days (the Nokia N95 is still the best smartphone ever). This must be it.

[lambch0ps]

Yeah, I remember seeing such an app back in my Symbian days (the Nokia N95 is still the best smartphone ever). This must be it.

Now I just need to figure out how to pair and use the silly bluetooth things and im mostly set


Thanks guys


Also, is

Code: Select all

dam + n 

really an explicitive ?

[RealBlackStuff]

Not an explicitive, but an expletive.
The forum software from phpbb has this puritan streak built-in!
It's not a moderator or admin who wastes his/her time checking through every single post!