T400 Upgrade Wireless

[NPen]

Hello,

First of all, i want to appologize for my english...

Then I wanna ask for advice - what Wireless modul you will sugges me to buy for my laptop. I want to use my N chanel and now i cant. I heard that atheros is better than intel, but i'm confused now.

Cheers,
Nikola

[EOMtp]

Welcome to the forum!
All Thankpads have a list in the BIOS of "acceptable" wireless cards. That list is called the "white list". The standard Lenovo BIOS permits only WiFi cards on that list, and the card must be Lenovo-branded, i.e., there must be an FRU# printed on the label of the wireless card.

If you prefer to use a card not on the "white list" or even a card that is listed but one which does not have a FRU# printed on it, then you must install a modified BIOS which removes the "white list" restrictions. That is simple, because there are multiple T400 modified BIOSs which will let you install any wireless card that will fit physically.

My recommendation is to install a modified BIOS, and then install an Intel 6300 wireless card if you have 3 WiFi antenna wires (gray+black+white) ..or.. install an Intel 6300 or 6200/6205 if you have only 2 WiFi antenna wires (gray+black).

The Lenovo T400 HMM (Hardware Maintenance Manual) has disassembly instructions and parts list:
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-70069

[NPen]

Welcome to the forum!

My recommendation is to install a modified BIOS, and then install an Intel 6300 wireless card if you have 3 WiFi antenna wires (gray+black+white) ..or.. install an Intel 6300 or 6200/6205 if you have only 2 WiFi antenna wires (gray+black).

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-70069

Hi,

Thank you for your reply. I dont understand one thing... 6300 is compatible with 2 and 3 antenna wires? I have only 2, so where i need to put them on the 6300 wireless card?

Thank you in advance,
Nikola

[Cigarguy]

Hook it up to the left and right post, ignore the middle post on a 6300. Or, install the antenna the same way that it came off the old wireless card, again ignore the middle post. A 6300n or 6200 is a nice card.

[Temetka]

Is that the best card for teh T410 also?

[NPen]

Hi,

Here in Bulgaria is hard to find 6200 or 6300. Many peoples are selling Atheros. Can you suggest me for the model?

THanks!

[EOMtp]

Here in Bulgaria is hard to find 6200 or 6300.

If you are not in a big rush, then you can get an Intel 6200 for $5 including shipping to Bulgaria!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-6200-622A ... 20c99a36aa

Or, if you want a Lenovo-branded Intel 6300 (no BIOS mods needed), then send someone in the U.S. $20 via PayPal, and ask him to mail it to you. I am certain someone on this forum would help. See if anyone has sent you a PM (Private Message):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Intel-Ultim ... 1e8da77ffe

Good luck!

[precip9]

That is simple, because there are multiple T400 modified BIOSs which will let you install any wireless card that will fit physically.

I would appreciate info on how to obtain these BIOSes. My impression was that the T400, T500, and W500 BIOSes have not been hacked, because the images are encrypted.

The 5300 (if it has a Lenovo FRU sticker) is a great wireless card, it's on the white list, and it has a longevity advantage over the 6300. But a modded BIOS may be very desirable in the near future, when 802.11ac cards become affordable.

[RealBlackStuff]

There are over 700 pages with modded BIOS info on MDL.
Search for "whitelist lenovo xxxx" or "slic BIOS lenovo xxxx" on google, then pick the MDL ones.
Page 1 here: http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thread ... y-Thinkpad
(ignore the warnings there, most have been re-uploaded elsewhere, or you can ask there.