A31 and Intel 2915ABG Internal Wireless Install Report

Message

ARD · #1 Post by **ARD** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:59 pm

I have a used A31 2652 J3U Thinkpad that did not originally
come with internal wireless. I was using a RealTek 8185L
PC Card for wireless. While it had decent reception, I hated
the fact that the card was sticking out on the side of the Thinkpad.
So I did some research here and found out about the various
mini pci wireless cards and I decided on an Intel 2915ABG.
I ordered it from Newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6833106220
and I ordered the wireless antennas from IndexWorldWide
http://www.indexworldwide.com/27l0684.html
The install was tedious and lenghty, but in the end, I had
a perfectly working A31 with internal wireless with no 1802 warning nor
very long BIOS POST. It boots perfectly. I updated the BIOS to the latest version after I bought the Thinkpad a few months ago.
The reception quality is very good. Definitely better than the Realtek card.
Feel free to ask any questions about the whole upgrade.
I will do my best to answer them.

Axel

madmaven · #2 Post by **madmaven** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 8:33 pm

Do you know if that card will work in a G40 type 2384 without the lengthy antenna install? I am getting a used G40 and want a good wireless solution. I can get the exact card you used for about $50. is that a good price?
Thanks for the knowledge

Leslie O

ARD · #3 Post by **ARD** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:43 pm

Hi maven.
Seeing that I paid $33 for the Intel card at Newegg, I'd say the price you were given is a little too much.
Since the card worked fine on an old A31, I imagine it will work
on a G40, but I am not 100% sure.
Sorry I can't be of more help.
Axel

madmaven · #4 Post by **madmaven** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 9:08 pm

Thats good to know about the price. thanks that was supposed to be a special too!
Thanks for the knowledge

Madmaven

vital-analitix · #5 Post by **vital-analitix** » Wed May 10, 2006 4:38 am

Ard

Originally these machines came with a combo modem / wireless card that was only suitable for b (2.4 Ghz).

1) Does the antenna work fine with g (? 5Ghz?)?

2) Did you get the generic Intel 2915 a/b/g card or the IBM specific one (41N2990)?

I want to upgrade the XKX for wireless since I am going to use that machine for travel. But I want the latest networking capabilities and not be restricted to b alone.

Many thanks in advance
Marinus

tuktuk · #6 Post by **tuktuk** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:53 pm

Do you know if the antenna FRU 46L4820 will work too in A31?

madmaven · #7 Post by **madmaven** » Thu May 11, 2006 11:28 pm

Turns out my G40 had a built in wirelesss extreme g in it so I cant help with the A31 wireless q's. I am now experimenting with the alltel air data card. I went out to las Vegas and what a rip every corner had a wireless internet for 22 cents a minute, or 18 cents a minute. there is nothing free out there.

it was not my kind of town. even where you stay has a secure network and you can't get on. I used the data card from Alltel with moderate success. It does not work at my house though. Finally one tech told me that there was no data tower within range here. but it doesn't explain how I got on the first time I installed the card but never again???? weird. I dont travel enough to makeit worth the $59 a month. the DSL is faster.

ARD · #8 Post by **ARD** » Sat May 13, 2006 7:10 pm

vital-analitix wrote:Ard

Originally these machines came with a combo modem / wireless card that was only suitable for b (2.4 Ghz).

1) Does the antenna work fine with g (? 5Ghz?)?

2) Did you get the generic Intel 2915 a/b/g card or the IBM specific one (41N2990)?

I want to upgrade the XKX for wireless since I am going to use that machine for travel. But I want the latest networking capabilities and not be restricted to b alone.

Many thanks in advance
Marinus

Marinus,
My A31 did not have any wireless features.
My home wireless setup is a Linksys WAP54G Access Point.
I use 802.11g standard at 2.4Ghz. It works fine that way.
I bought the OEM Intel 2915 card. Not the IBM version.
The link where I bought it is in my first post.
The card will use A/B/G standards.
It has the latest capabilities.

Axel.

ARD · #9 Post by **ARD** » Sat May 13, 2006 7:14 pm

tuktuk wrote:Do you know if the antenna FRU 46L4820 will work too in A31?

tuktuk

I have no idea.
I only used the correct FRUs for my A31.

Axel.

IBbroke · #10 Post by **IBbroke** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 9:15 am

I'd like to do the intenal G install, but I'm a bit worried about tearing apart my machine. The only website with a how to [/url]http://www.jordanautomations.com/tpa31- ... grade.html for the A31 looks like it was taken down on purpose, as the images are toast and the reference #'s are bogus. However my pc card bay's aren't working so I'm loosing my mind without any wifi. How about posting how you installed the antenna?

IBbroke · #11 Post by **IBbroke** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:14 pm

Well I found the manual on IBM's website and I've ordered the parts so hopefully I can pull this off. We'll see.. Anyway I'll post if it worked out for me when I'm done.

slowbiscuit · #12 Post by **slowbiscuit** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 7:08 am

I just picked up the Intel 2915ABG 802.11a/b/g MiniPCI card for $20 shipped on ebay and it works fine in my A30, no need for BIOS hack or anything. Using stock Intel PROset drivers and XP to manage the connection (I did not install the PROset card manager, just the drivers).
IBM must've disabled that stupid wireless card check in the later BIOS revs - I have the latest rev on my A30.

k2jsv · #13 Post by **k2jsv** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 9:13 am

The 1802 error is NOT disabled on the newer BIOS on the A31(p). I got my card the other day and had to do the 1802 update in order for the card to play nice in the computer.

IBbroke · #14 Post by **IBbroke** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 3:35 pm

Well I pulled off the install somehow, and I only had 1 screw left over. I usually end up with a few extra pieces when I pull something apart. Anyway the card works great, I pick up a much better signal than I did with my WIFI PC card. It does seem to take a long time to boot, or to wake back up from hibernation, but no error messages. I used the intel drivers, but not the software. Anyway if anyone has an idea about how to fix the wake up time let me know.

mbellot · #15 Post by **mbellot** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:35 am

IBbroke wrote:Well I pulled off the install somehow, and I only had 1 screw left over. I usually end up with a few extra pieces when I pull something apart. Anyway the card works great, I pick up a much better signal than I did with my WIFI PC card. It does seem to take a long time to boot, or to wake back up from hibernation, but no error messages. I used the intel drivers, but not the software. Anyway if anyone has an idea about how to fix the wake up time let me know.

Lucky you, I just got done installing the antenna(s) last night and came up two screws short. Good thing the hardware store has a decent selection of metric screws.

ARD wrote:The install was tedious and lenghty

Thats putting it mildly. Three hours to route two stinking wires.

I'll find out tomorrow if the install was a total success, my Intel card from NewEgg should be in unless UPS drops the ball (again).

EDIT: BTW - That link you posted for the antenna was mighty pricey. I picked a set up off fleabay for less than half, including shipping. Exact same FRU - 27L0684.

k2jsv · #16 Post by **k2jsv** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 9:17 pm

mbellot wrote:Thats putting it mildly. Three hours to route two stinking wires.

Wow. I thought I was taking forever. Just about 2 hours for me, with breaks for dinner and an amazing grand slam by NY Mets SS Jose Reyes the other night.

mbellot · #17 Post by **mbellot** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:56 pm

And done.

Card showed up this afternoon, downloaded the latest drivers/software straight from Intel and had it up and running in no time.

And no BIOS errors.

Took me a little while to figure out how to shut off the Intel wireless software (like I need another process chewing cycles), but thats gone now too.

Many thanks to the OP!

A31 and Intel 2915ABG Internal Wireless Install Report

A31 and Intel 2915ABG Internal Wireless Install Report

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