Installing Internal WiFi on a T21?? - *update*

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rhubarbcrumble · #1 Post by **rhubarbcrumble** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 3:58 pm

What is the best mini pci card to use?

What is the best internal antenna to use?

Has anyone on here got a similar setup and could pre warn me of the pitfalls of running internal WiFi on this laptop?

Thanks

#2 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 4:58 pm

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

There are numerous threads about this subject. Here's some of them:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=48239
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=42573
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=37729
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=37619
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=32377
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=28776

While you will get various responses to what people think is the "best" as far as MiniPCI cards and antennas go, your particular use is what really matters. Will you be using the laptop only in your house with one particular access point or will you be taking it out and expect to use it no matter where you go? The first only requires that you match up with the equipment you have (or plan to have), while the other may require you to get a more multi-function card. I have had good luck with Broadcom-based cards normally installed in HP or Dell systems. Others here will recommend Atheros, Intel or IBM cards. One thing to keep in mind is that no matter which card you select, make sure that there is plenty of driver support available.

There are three (well, four) wireless systems in common use: 802.11a, b, g and pre-n/draft-n/n. Not sure what the restrictions are for you in the UK but if you stick with a "b/g" card that will probably be okay for the life of your system.

As far as the antenna is concerned, you will get the best performance with an externally mounted antenna jack where you can hook up anything you please. That requires the most work in order to install (locating a place for the jack and modifying the case). The normal alternatives are to put the antenna(s) into the base next to the battery compartment and outside edge of the case (best), somewhere underneath the palmrest or keyboard or in the lid (worse, if you use the standard T21 lid since the metal in the lid will block the WiFi signal). Use the shortest length of antenna you can find to reach your placements. There are many sellers both online and on eBay which sell these types of antennas. Since the MiniPCI cards come with a standard type of connector (U.FL), that is what you will need at the end of the antenna cable.

One possible problem is that if you already have the modem/ethernet combo card, you will definitely lose the ethernet function since there are not any wireless/ethernet combo cards that I know of. IBM sold a modem/wireless combo card for the T23 which will work in the T21.

I have installed internal wireless systems in a couple of T23s. All have somewhat shorter "reach" in acquiring a signal than a laptop with factory wireless capability but it's still better than having a PCMCIA card sticking out the side. One 600X modification I did uses an externally mounted antenna and it works very well. The other 600X has an antenna in the lid and it has a hard time seeing my access point from the other side of my house.

rhubarbcrumble · #3 Post by **rhubarbcrumble** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 1:43 am

wow, thanks!

Much more helpful than IBM itself!

rhubarbcrumble · #4 Post by **rhubarbcrumble** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:52 am

Does the T21 have BIOS problems when installing a non-IBM card?

Could I use something like this

Clicky

Or would I be better off using Atheros, as you mentioned...

Clicky

There are also Broadcom cards available but some claim that they are specifically non-compatible with IBM laptops. Which models are compatible?

#5 Post by **rkawakami** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:36 pm

I've only personally installed Broadcom-based cards such as BCM94306 (b/g) and BCM94309 (a/b/g) into a T23 and neither required any BIOS adjustments. Since the T21 did not come from the factory with wireless, nor does it have a separate ethernet daughter card, I don't believe you will have any problems with any MiniPCI WiFi card you install.

If you wish to maintain the modem capability, then you could use the same type of card that came in the T23, an ActionTec modem/802.11b combo card. If you don't mind losing the modem, then I believe either one of the card you listed should work.

Can you give an example of a Broadcom card that the seller says is non-compatible with IBM systems? It may be possible that they are talking about newer laptops which have a "whitelist" of approved wireless cards. As far as I know, none of the T2x systems have such a list.

rhubarbcrumble · #6 Post by **rhubarbcrumble** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:50 pm

Ok thanks I understand, I will probably head for a broadcom card just to be safe.

This was the auction Clicky

But thinking about it, im pretty sure they are referring to the newer IBM models as you say.

#7 Post by **rkawakami** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:59 pm

For what it's worth, I believe that card is a version that is certified for use in Latin America. Broadcom uses one or two letters at the end of the type number to indicate this. From what I can gather, this is how they are named:

- BCM9xxxxMP: US (and world-wide) standards
- BCM9xxxxMPSG: Certified for use in Singapore, in addition to W/W
- BCM9xxxxMPL: Certified for use in Latin America

Clarification edit: The MP at the end of the type number is for MiniPCI.
2nd edit: This article explains some of the ins-and-outs of WiFi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/802.11 The section on "Channels and international compatibility" may be of some help. I think that the driver you use will dictate which channels are enabled.

rhubarbcrumble · #8 Post by **rhubarbcrumble** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:59 am

UPDATE:

Got the antennas installed, one at the top of the LCD and one at the far right of the hand rest, between the battery compartment and the side.

Found a cheap (99p!) Intel 2915 a/b/g card on ebay, innocently thinking I would be sent a 'wild' one just because the library picture showed one. The seller also took an age to send it.

Surprise surprise, it was an FRU 93P4239, ARRGH!

However it does not say IBM anywhere on it. It also boots fine, but I get the (Code 10) "Device cannot start" error.

Should I keep trying or just buy one of these? Clicky

#9 Post by **rkawakami** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:07 pm

Poking around the archives for the "code 10" problem I can find this:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=38739

BTW: Don't try to use the site's Search button for "code 10"; it won't work. Either with or without the quotes since the phpBB software doesn't recognize the quotes and will not match for strings less than three characters. In the case, Google is your friend:

"code 10" site:forum.thinkpads.com

in a Google search box will pull up links to threads at this site.

rhubarbcrumble · #10 Post by **rhubarbcrumble** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 1:22 pm

Yea, just tried all of those solutions. To no avail.

Off to order the broadcom.

rhubarbcrumble · #11 Post by **rhubarbcrumble** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 10:29 am

UPDATE

Ordered a random MiniPCI card which the seller *guaranteed* me would work in the T21...

Which it did!

Has a Lucent chip, but didn't need drivers, it uses some generic ORiNOCO windows xp driver!

This was a UK based ebay shop, JustOpeshop and they seem to have quite a few of these cards every now and again.

Hope this helps any other UK based thinkpad modders!

Installing Internal WiFi on a T21?? - update

Installing Internal WiFi on a T21?? - update

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