Intel pro 2915ABG cheap/expensive?

[Hotbrick]

In my local shop the Intel pro 2915ABG is 23,30 euro.
Via IBM website it's $ 59 .

Why this difference?
Is it specially made for IBM; will the cheaper one also work in my TP?

Also: will the Intel pro 3915ABg fit in my T42p, I see the dimensions are different....

[smids]

IBM customise the wireles cards with a BIOS lock. Unless you buy an IBM one, you'll get an error 1808 on boot and not be able to use the wireless card. There is a fix for this in that you can modify the BIOS however this isn't greatly advisable because if you destroy the BIOS, then it will have to go back for repair and they may not warranty you - although they'd be hard pressed to figure out that you corrupted the CMOS.

The 3945 is a PCI-Express card and will not fit. Apparently, the best wireless card is the IBM own brand II - note the II as the I version is not as good (Atheros AR5004X in the II and AR5001X in the I version).

[bill bolton]

you'll get an error 1808 on boot and not be able to use the wireless card.

The boot error number is 1802 and the computer still simply not complete booting once it has displayed, so you can't use anything.

however this isn't greatly advisable because if you destroy the BIOS....

The 1802 mod is well documented and there is a DOS program which will reliably apply it.

Apparently, the best wireless card is the IBM own brand II....

Not "best", just another choice, with it own set of issues.

The generic Intel mini-PCI wifi cards can be made to work in a ThinkPad T4x without too much hassle (I have one running here in a T41) but will not be fully functional with Access Connections and some of the other convenience features of a Thinkpad T4x.

Cheers,

Bill

[Hotbrick]

Thanks very much, this clears it up!

Will buy IBM stuff, modifying the BIOS is not really my thing.

Thanks.

[smids]

Yep, sorry typo on 1808 - I meant 1802! I didn't realise it wouldn't boot at all - I'm sure I read on the Anandtech forums some managed it - however I'll take your word for it over theirs.

DOS flashing still has inherent dangers though - if you burn a CD which say has a different MD5 checksum or similar and floppies are notoriously unreliable. Still, I haven't managed to kill a BIOS in the 50 or so flashings I have done but to those inexperienced, this can be a daunting prospect.

Regarding the Intels - that was really a personal comment and I should have labelled it as such. I used to have a IBM Thinkpad a/b/g I, upgraded to an Intel 2915, then to a Thinkpad a/b/g II and can say that I much prefer the IBM. The whole wireless experience is a lot less hassle with one of those cards in!

[KF9YR]

Isn't the NO-1802 change a CMOS bit change?

The change will be reversed by removing the CMOS battery (or if the battery dies).

No bios flashing required...