ready to install new hardware but...

[thanatos106]

Hello guys, new X31 owner here and I have some question before starting to upgrade some hardware.

I been reading a lot of threads about te subject (like a good n00b before posting ) but want to know for sure if is doable or not, so here come the questions:

My X31 have the two antennas for the wiFi and they are connect to a cisco card (I'm thinking on upgrade to an atheros ) and it doesn't have a bluetooth so after reading for a while I have the FRU numbers for the parts:

Bluetooth/Modem CDC (BMDC): 91P7315
Clear Plate for X31: 67P1448
Bluetooth wireless antenna and hinge cover assembly: 46P2960

reference from:
Post #2
Post #4

What I want to know is, if I take the lcd besel apart will I have room for the third antenna??

Or better question will be...

Does somebody have a X31 that came with WiFi and bluetooth from factory and if yes, when you route the BT cable under the keyboard where does it go?? (right, left or under the keyborad?)

Or will be better if I just unplug the "aux" antenna from the cisco WiFi leaving it with just the "main" antenna? and if so how is reception with just one antenna?

reference confirming pluging "aux" to BT card:
Post #2

Also I will be ok taking the lcd bezel apart but searching the net for the parts I came around this antenna:
Small antenna to place under keyboard

The seller say that this item can be put anywhere inside the laptop...Any thoughts on this?

Last will be about upgrading the WiFi card to an atheros so I want suggestion on the model number (and yes I know all about the 1802 error )

In a thread I found this models ar5004g, ar5004x or ar5001x+ (in the same thread the OP end up buying AR5002X a/b/g, the thread is from october so I want to know if there is any new model that is compactible with my X31)

Thanks in advance for any input.

Thanatos.

[zone]

Welcome to forum Thanatos,

Recently I did with my X31 exactly what you planning right now, so, I may provide *authoritative* answers on these issues.

Hello guys, new X31 owner here and I have some question before starting to upgrade some hardware.

I been reading a lot threads about te subject (like a good n00b before posting ) but want to know for sure if is doable or not, so here come the questions:

My X31 have the two antennas for the wiFi and they are connect to a cisco card (I'm thinking on upgrade to an atheros ) and it doesn't have a bluetooth so after reading for a while I have the FRU numbers for the parts:

Bluetooth/Modem CDC (BMDC): 91P7315
Clear Plate for X31: 67P1448
Bluetooth wireless antenna and hinge cover assembly: 46P2960

reference from: Post #2
Post #4


What I want to know is, if I take the lcd besel apart will I have room for the third antenna??

No need to disassemble LCD, only parts what you'll need to take apart, are, battery, backup battery (behind RAM cover), keyboard and you have to replace hinge cover with BT antenna (if you goin to install original X31 BT antenna - which is integrated in hinge cover).

Or better question will be...

Does somebody have a X31 that came with WiFi and bluetooth from factory and if yes, when you route the BT cable under the keyboard where does it go?? (right, left or under the keyborad?)

Page 103 of HMM shows routing of BT antenna cable along cable guides under the keyboard.

Or will be better if I just unplug the "aux" antenna from the cisco WiFi leaving it with just the "main" antenna? and if so how is reception with just one antenna?

reference confirming pluging "aux" to BT card: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=33501

Nope, while you may do that, I would advise getting original X31 BT antenna which is rather cheap cca $10 from IBM, or any third party antenna from ebay will work as well, however you may pay attention on lenght of cable if you goin for third party BT antenna.

Also I will be ok taking the lcd bezel apart but searching the net for the parts I came around this antenna:

Small antenna to place under keyboard

The seller say that this item can be put anywhere inside the laptop...Any thoughts on this?

That may be one of options as well, I have custom installed T4x BT antenna (what I got for free with purchase of BMDC200b from ebay) in my A31p, I put it under the palmrest and works perfectly.

Last will be about upgrading the WiFi card to an atheros so I want suggestion on the model number (and yes I know all about the 1802 error )

Heh, you did well your homework as I can see... OK with older BIOS versions you'll have most likely 1802, and not only that but also 197? (cannot recall number) Unauthorised communication card error, this was in my case on first attempt to replace Cisco and MDC with IBM 802.11B B/G 39T0073 and BMDC200b. Fix for this is rather straight forward, you have to update Embedded Controller Program (EC) and BIOS to latest versions before installing new cards in. It worked for me.

In a thread I found this models ar5004g, ar5004x or ar5001x+ (in the same thread the OP end up buying AR5002X a/b/g, the thread is from october so I want to know if there is any new model that is compactible with my X31)

Thanks in advance for any input.

Thanatos.

My IBM FRU 39T0073 802.11B/G card is based on Atheros AR5004G chipset, with IBM driver everything is supported including led indicator on LCD display. Also with registry hack supports 108Mbps speed with my Netgear WGT624 routers.

hope it helps

BTW, Thanatos, keep attention on lenght of URLs in postings, instead of pasting long lines in editor please use;

Code: Select all

[url=http://www.mylink.foo]some link[/url]

this makes reading easier without need for horizontal scrolling. So, nice will be if you would like to edit long URLs from your post using url= tag to make this usefull topic easier to follow.

[thanatos106]

Thank you very much zone for the fast and accurate imformation.

I guess I was confused a little between the process to upgrade WiFi antennas and the BT antenna but now whith the info in your post telling me that no need to take apart the lcd bezel and that the antenna comes in the new hinge cover I know that the upgrade will be peace of cake. (I read the HMM but once again was looking at the wrong antennas)

Right part from IBM? (Sorry for double ask but is so cheap that I think I'm mistaken )

Thank you also for the chipset number for the atheros I will be looking on ebay to see if I can get a good deal.

P.S: I also edit my post and add the url tags to the addresses but now you going to have to edit your post so the next member won't need to the use horizontal scrolling

Thanatos.

[zone]

Thank you very much zone for the fast and accurate imformation.

I guess I was confused a little between the process to upgrade WiFi antennas and the BT antenna but now whith the info in your post telling me that no need to take apart the lcd bezel and that the antenna comes in the new hinge cover I know that the upgrade will be peace of cake. (I read the HMM but once again was looking at the wrong antennas)

Right part from IBM? (Sorry for double ask but is so cheap that I think I'm mistaken )

Sorry, I have only IBM EMEA (EU and Middle East) parts in my bookmarks, your link leads to nowhere (check it again), however it should be simple to find US parts ordering site.

Thank you also for the chipset number for the atheros I will be looking on ebay to see if I can get a good deal.

My provider of it on ebay is called "linknergy", had great deal with even with shiping to EU.

P.S: I also edit my post and add the url tags to the addresses but now you going to have to edit your post so the next member won't need to the use horizontal scrolling

Thanatos.

Thanks very much, you see, it looks much better now.

And yes I had to edit my post which included your long strings.... hate that 'coz Im lazy guy... however I'll always *clear my [censored]*, just as majority of forum members here will do as well... so, no wonder we have nice knowlegdeable, and even literate community on this forum...

Have to say say thanks to you again, 'coz I was planning to post my X31 Atheros + BMDC200b upgrading experience, however instead of *dry* explanation form of Q&A seems to be better, and think that we covered all HW relevant issues within this thread... yes I didn't wrote PhD on replacing clearplate but gimme someting for posdoctoral studues please.

Thanatos,

Yo' bro Eros

PS. Maybe won't it bad to change thread from "ready to install new hardware but..." to something which may include at least X31 if not b/g and BT cards upgrade as keywords just for sake of *broken* search at forum, for generations to come....