X61 Internal PCI Slot proprietary?

[stephenspann27]

I wanted to upgrade my 4965AG to a 4965AGN. I wasn't able to get the screws out of the AG card. I ended up installing the AGN along side of the AG in the WWAN slot. The AGN card shows up in windows but I can't get any wireless networks to show up on it. I have the antennas hooks up correctly. I'm wondering if I got a bum card off ebay.. or if it has something to do with the slot.
Thanks.
-Middelton bios.

[Cigarguy]

Never tried that. X61 WWAN card is not proprietary, as it works with many WWAN card, it's just that it's not designed to be used as a WLAN slot.....that's what the WLAN slot is for. You sure it's not a conflict within Windows, seeing two wireless card? Maybe it's defaulting to the WLAN card (as it should) but not finding anything because the antennas have been disconnected. Simple matter to carefully (very carefully) drill out the striped screw head on the WLAN slot and install your new card in it's proper place.

If I'm upgrading the wireless card, I'd go higher than a 4965, I'll look at an Intel 5300, 6300 or one of the excellent Atheros.

[stephenspann27]

I disabled the "AG" card in windows.. Windows seems to be dealing with it just fine, I am not just able to get any signal. Even with the antenna's disconnected from the "AG" card I am able to get a little signal. Seems like that slot should not be proprietary. I've seen other posts where people are debating on installing GPS card etc in that slot. I'll try drilling out the screws.. but I'm not holding out much hope that the slot matters.

[Cigarguy]

The slot is not proprietary, it is design for WWAN not WLAN cards. Some WWAN cards have GPS built in while some are GPS only. There is a difference.

[stephenspann27]

You were right. I put it in the Wlan slot and it's working now.

[axur-delmeria]

I've read that you have to cover Pin 20 on the AGN card to make it work on the WWAN slot.
That's where the "Enable/Disable Radio" signal is located.

Then again, since you managed to install it in the WLAN slot, there's no problem.

[twistero]

Even with Middleton BIOS, an un-whitelisted card installed in the WWAN slot will still be "disabled" by the BIOS the same way turning off the hardware wireless switch would, i.e. by pulling pin 20 low. To use an un-whitelisted card that recognizes the disable signal (most WiFi and cellular data cards) in the WWAN slot, you must tape over pin 20 so that it does not receive the disable signal.

[stephenspann27]

Is it possible to put some kind of GPU in one of the the PCI slots? Trying to think of a way to use it..

[Cigarguy]

No GPU. Your choices for a WWAN card slot is limited. Unless you have a use/need for it, it's better left empty. Less resource demand then.

[twistero]

Well, you can probably connect a video card to a miniPCIe slot, but it wouldn't be "in" it. Take a look at this.

[pkiff]

Assuming the X61 standard is the same as the X61Tablet, you can install a Broadcom mini PCI video card that will boost HD video performance. I have used both the BCM970015 and the BCM970012 models. This will not have any effect on standard graphics work, or games, but it does improve playback specifically for 1080p videos when using compatible players.

See my post in this thread:
My X61T and 7200RPM HD (PIC Warning) - Going big for my Tab
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=111647

Phil.

[stephenspann27]

Phil,
Thanks for the info, my CPU is always maxed when playing HD.

[stephenspann27]

Happy to report that I got a BCM970015 installed in my X61 tablet and it's working great. I installed it in the WAN slot.

[pkiff]

Great to hear! I just picked up another one of those chips myself. My next hobby project is to get a dual- or triple-boot X61T running Mac OS 10.x working if I can, and I think I should be able to get that Broadcom chip enabled under the Mac OS too, since it is compatible with AppleTV devices...I guess we'll see...

[stephenspann27]

I put DTS_Info.exe in the start up so I can keep an eye on the status in the systray. The cards seems to work with most media players. It does not work when watching video in a browser.

[stephenspann27]

Correction, the HD card works in IE, but not chrome.