X31 Wireless Upgradeable

[Harryc]

In the original press releases for the X31 IBM stated; "all non-wireless models are wireless upgradable".

http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/21763

Has anyone found that not to be the case with an X31? Also brief research of X31 wifi shows that the IBM branded Intel 2200b/g mPCI card is a good choice for this machine. Any experiences there?

[mazzinia]

Well, when I got the X31 was without a wifi minipci card.. I've gone for an ibm 2200 b/g and it's working well, never got a problem so far.
I'm getting easily a network from an hous in the immediate neighbourood (let's say 10 meters away from one house to the other, no windows in direct sight and both concrete walls enough thick - full bricks) with a signal of around 50%.
But I cannot compare the signal strenght, etc with an atheros (a model that here is a lot appreciated, I've seen)

[Harryc]

Thanks for the reply. That's one vote for a 2200b/g. Anyone run an Atheros card in an X31?

[mpcook]

My last X31 had the 2200 b/g card and it worked very well. I had no problems over about 3 years.

Mike

[Harryc]

Another nod for the 2200 b/g. I guess that's the one!. Thanks guys.

[losmeme]

Atheros on an X31 here. Purchased from Brent Presley to replace the stock Aironet card. SUPERB connections with narry a dropout. Paid a premium for it, but it has been worth every cent.

Can't say the same thing about the Intel card in my T43. Had a hard time getting that one to function right. Eventually installed Intels driver, but did not install the Intel "Pro" software. Intels drivers and I let Windows handle the connections on the T43. When using the T43 I always have to remind myself "It's not Atheros . . ."

I do think ALL X31's had the wireless antennas installed. The TA book lists them all as being upgradable. Mine was stock with wireless, but no BT and no BT antenna either.

[Harryc]

Do you remember the exact IBM part number on the Atheros card? Did it require the 1802 hack? Thanks for the info on bluetooth, that was my next question. So apparently not all X31's are bt ready.

Edit: Was this it? Atheros AR5BXB6 802.11a/b/g
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... ht=atheros

[losmeme]

Harry;

Did not require the 1802 hack, was an original IBM card taken from some other system. (an X40 possibly?) FRU = 91P7301. I purchased this from Brent sometime around November of last year.

The card you link to is a PCIe card, so won't work in an X31.

Can't get any info from Lenovo. The 307.IBM server has been down for most of the day for me.

[Harryc]

91P7301, got it. Thanks!

[losmeme]

Just be sure to get an IBM FRU part, I think this card is common in other lappys, but only the IBM FRU part requires no hack.

The 6 items listed currently on the sLeeze under that number all seem to be genuine IBM parts.

[mazzinia]

About bluetooth, if you are planning to install it, it's not so complicated but it requires :
changing the modem card with a modem/bt one (bmdc200 by example, but also another 1 or 2 models should work) , changing the 2 "plates" where you can see the lights (wifi, suspend, battery) and adding the antenna (or optionally using one of the 2 wifi antennas).

If not finding all the pieces from the same seller, the shipping costs will take a toll.

All in all a pcmcia bluetooth card could be a more interesting option considering that it would be bluetooth version 2.0 (while ibm integrated one is 1.1)

[Harryc]

Is there a bluetooth or modem/bluetooth mPCI card manufactured by IBM that is 2.0 and will work in an X31? I don't use a modem so a standalone bt 2.0 card would be fine.