Adding Bluetooth to a T42

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boardmonger · #1 Post by **boardmonger** » Wed May 19, 2004 10:56 pm

Hi, I have been reading your site for the last few months and waiting for the T42s to finally show up.

I would first like to say thanks to all who have posted here. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the information on this site and it is safe to say it will help me in my purchasing choices.

I do have a quick question that I am having problems finding answers too. I want to order a 14" T42 series laptop, but it seems they all don't come with Bluetooth. I have read the tabook and found some models I like that do come with it, but I don't want to be bound from buying a different model if I can upgrade that part my self.

I have seen on the IBM site some movies on replacing the unit on an R series and an X series ThinkPad and I don't believe it is beyond my skill to do this, so I guess I want to know:

1 Can I buy the CDC modem/Bluetooth card from the IBM parts site?

2 If I can where it is and does anyone have the part number for it?

3 does anyone know if the Bluetooth antenna and connection wire is included in the units that don't come with Bluetooth?

Thanks for any help you guys can provide!

csv96 · #2 Post by **csv96** » Wed May 19, 2004 11:05 pm

boardmonger wrote:1 Can I buy the CDC modem/Bluetooth card from the IBM parts site?

2 If I can where it is and does anyone have the part number for it?

3 does anyone know if the Bluetooth antenna and connection wire is included in the units that don't come with Bluetooth?

1. Yes.
2. The FRU P/N is 91P7319. It's in the T4x Hardware Maintenance Manual under the parts list section:
http://www-306.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-46464
3. There are some non-Bluetooth T4x units that do have the Bluetooth antenna pre-wired. They are listed in the section for the Bluetooth Antenna Assembly (FRU P/N 13N5515). I took a quick look and did NOT see the 3VU in the list.

If the T42 you want does have the Bluetooth Antenna Assembly, then all you need to buy is the BMDC2 Bluetooth/Modem CDC card (FRU P/N 91P7319) and a replacement clear plate set (FRU P/N 13R2455) to add the Bluetooth activity indicator.

If the T42 you want does not have the Bluetooth Antenna Assembly, you'll have to buy that too (FRU P/N 13N5515) and some tape for the antenna (FRU P/N 13N5105). It's going to be difficult and time consuming to dissect apart the LCD screen to install the Bluetooth Antenna, but all the instructions are in the Hardware Maintenance Manual.

Lmax · #3 Post by **Lmax** » Wed May 19, 2004 11:53 pm

You are going to need to get the nylon screw kit (screws to put back in to replace the old ones after you have finished disassembling and fixing your thinkpad) if you are going to take apart your T4x because you will mess up the screws that are in the unit to begin with because they have a special coating that you will nick off no matter how careful you are.

Could you do it without the screw kit? Yes, but the frame wouldnt be as snug and you might start hearing creaking noises (I have tried) and the screws will look all ugly as you will have rubbed off the black.

Also, go here to check prices and order all the parts you need, as it is sometimes hard to find the link...
http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... logId=-840

The FRU # for the nylon screw kit is 26P9654

Follow the HMM to a t and you won't have any problems at all.

Max

DJL · #4 Post by **DJL** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 4:55 am

Hi,

I've just bought a 2373K5M and im from Australia. I couldn't find the right combination of features which included bluetooth when choosing between models, so i decided to go without after confirming with a IBM tech support guy there was no bluetooth ariel built into the 14.1 inch screen. I've just checked in the Hardare maintence manual you guys have been talking about and my model number is listed under the "13N5515" part number.

Does this mean what i think it means, sorry im totally new to the IBM area...

Thanks

rjm1135 · #5 Post by **rjm1135** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 5:25 am

DJL wrote: Does this mean what i think it means, sorry im totally new to the IBM area...

From the HMM, it does appear that that model does have the BT antenna built in, although you may want a second opinion (I'm reasonably new myself around here).

If this is the case, there are definitely some posts on the necessary parts to buy to install the Bluetooth card.

I also remember calling IBM, Australia and having tech. support not know the answer to that particular question. He said it depended on where the LCD section was sourced from. Sounded like rubbish to me.

Anyway, good luck with the BT upgrade if you decide to go ahead.

Cheers,
Rob.

rjm1135 · #6 Post by **rjm1135** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 5:29 pm

DJL,

You may also want to have a read of the Forum FAQ, particularly #9. Here's the link to look up the parts that shipped with your TP.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... sLookup.vm

Cheers,
Rob.

M@X · #7 Post by **M@X** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 12:25 am

Or , use this http://www.dlink.com/products/?model=DBT-120

Champ · #8 Post by **Champ** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 12:39 am

I have aT42 REU which is equiv to to R9U or R8U I believe.

does this have hte bluetooth assembly?

JHEM · #9 Post by **JHEM** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 11:52 am

I don't know how all encompassing this is but, as I've written before, I have yet to come across a T42 that didn't have the Bluetooth antenna already installed. The unused lead is usually tucked away above the Wifi card leads.

BTW, the R9U has the Bluetooth CDC installed, the R8U does not.

you could always go here: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... sLookup.vm and find out exactly what was shipped in your machine.

Regards,

James

DJL · #10 Post by **DJL** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 2:13 am

Thanks for the extra info guys,

I'll wait until I recieve my laptop and see if this bluetooth connector exists. Could someone have a go at explaining to a simple minded person where to find this connector?

Also when installing the bluetooth component, does this replace anything, or is it a new addition?

marko · #11 Post by **marko** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 1:40 pm

Hi,
I have 2378CU1, based on 2379D3U. I know my machine does not have a built in antenna. It is still under warranty so I will wait to play around with it by adding stuff on my own.

However, would my machine have the Bluetooth LED built in anyway or would I need to/be able to add that myself?

Thank you,

Marko

Leon · #12 Post by **Leon** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 4:33 pm

The LED is there. You only need a new Clear Plate.

Welcome to our Forum. Please add location and other pertinent information to your profile. Nor required, but appreciated.

Champ · #13 Post by **Champ** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 1:26 am

hmm

the part look up doesn't list the bluetooth antenna specifically. through it'd be hard to understand what model they would build off that doens't include the antenna for the T42 2378-REU

Champ · #14 Post by **Champ** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:28 pm

how can I find what mine is based on? I 'm thikning the Rxx reseries but.. hmm

Adding Bluetooth to a T42

Adding Bluetooth to a T42

Re: Adding Bluetooth to a T42

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