T21 internal network card

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dive · #1 Post by **dive** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:33 am

I just bought my first laptop, a second hand T21. I got a wireless netgear card and have that pretty much working but I wanted to also use the network connector at the back.

I discovered after some reading here that the internal nic is missing. Also the PC card nic that was sold with the laptop is missing a dongle. I would much rather get an internal card if possible, but I've googled around for a spares site that has them without any luck. I'm not sure of the correct terminology either.

So the question is where are good places (located in UK preferably) to get such items? There are loads of PC nics about but I can't seem to find anyone selling the internal type.

Cheers

Wingnut · #2 Post by **Wingnut** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:42 am

Go here to download the HMM (hardware Maintenance Manual) for your T21:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4UYM3F

It will have a list of the FRU numbers for compatable mini PCI combo cards. You can also look here under the T21 - Options service parts menu and get a list here also:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... RU#Tseries

Here is what I found there:

Mini PCI

modem card Ambit 08K3383
modem card Ambit 08K3252
modem card 08K3146
modem card 08K3338
combo card Intel 06P3809
combo card Intel 19K5888
combo card Intel 08K3125
combo card 3Com 06P3829
combo card 3Com 00N8117

You want one of the combo cards to have network capability. Simply type the FRU numbers into the search field on www.ebay.co.uk and you should find plenty for under 10 quid. You might need to check the box to search item title & description to get more hits.

Here is one for 3 + 3 for postage:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0205619447

Here is one for 10 + 2 for postage, but its a "Best Offer" auction, so offer 5 quid & see if he accepts?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0197786628

Good luck

dive · #3 Post by **dive** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:00 am

Great stuff

Thanks very much

Robbyrobot · #4 Post by **Robbyrobot** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:13 pm

I discovered after some reading here that the internal nic is missing. Also the PC card nic that was sold with the laptop is missing a dongle.

If it were me, I'd come down on the seller like a ton of bricks. The internal combo card belongs to a T21, and in contrast to extra memory is not just something "nice to have", since the network connector on the back of the computer won't work without it. The fact that a PCMCIA card (this is what I interpret your "PC" card to be) was included could well indicate that the internal card was defective or even a connection/the mainboard.

The only time it's acceptable to sell a T2x without the combo card is when it's being sold for parts and the fact is explicitly mentioned.

ajkula66 · #5 Post by **ajkula66** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:01 pm

Some T20/21/22 machines have originally been sold with modem only...and that may be the reason for missing NIC.

nikki605 · #6 Post by **nikki605** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:52 pm

That's the way my new T21 (2647-47U) originally shipped from IBM - modem only. But the dongle was there for the combo card, so several years ago I replaced the modem only card with a combo card. Plugged in both dongles, pulled off the sticky piece of plastic covering the ethernet plug on the rear and I was all set.

Robbyrobot · #7 Post by **Robbyrobot** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 3:13 am

Incredible... up to now, I've never seen a T2x without the internal ethernet connection.

ajkula66 · #8 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:38 am

Robbyrobot wrote:

Incredible... up to now, I've never seen a T2x without the internal ethernet connection.

Yep, quite a few of these were sold, along with various A2x machines with the same restriction, including some A22p examples.

nikki605 · #9 Post by **nikki605** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:31 am

I forgot to mention that I also had to download the right Win XP driver from the IBM web site for the 3Com combo card I ended up with. My T21 shipped with Win 98 pre-loaded.

dive · #10 Post by **dive** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:38 am

A bit of an update - I bought an internal combo card. It is seen by the OS ok (Intel 100 Pro) but for some reason I can't bring up a network with it. When I plug it into my cable modem the pc activity light is dead too.

I'm wondering if there is a problem with the connection to motherboard, but after taking off the keyboard I don't see any wires, it looks like it is soldered directly to it.

I'm using linux so maybe there is some configuration that I need to take care of. But usually once the card is detected and has a driver, all you need do is run a script to bring network up. At least that's how it works on my desktop.

So the question is here if to delve further into it, or just let it be and get a PCMCIA card with a dongle. I haven't found much yet in the way of instructions to disassemble down to the mobo though.

dive · #11 Post by **dive** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:36 pm

OK I read the manual and discovered that there should be cables plugged into the card. I have no cables. I was kind of hoping it would all work through the cards own connector.

So it looks like this is a model that was sold without network support, or during the 'refurbishment' the cables were taken out or somehow got hidden between the mobo and case.

*Edit: Just looked at that manual again and I should be able to plug the cable in, if I can find one.

nikki605 · #12 Post by **nikki605** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:05 pm

Take a look at this photo (my T21), with no mini-pci card installed:

http://home.att.net/~gwa2001/t21labels.jpg

The cable at the bottom right is the 2-wire modem connector. The larger one to the left runs to the ethernet connector on the rear of the T21. Even though IBM shipped my TP with a modem only card, the ethernet cable was just laying there.

Here is a photo with the 3Com combo card installed with the metal shield installed and the cables connected.

http://home.att.net/~gwa2001/t21molan.jpg

I don't know about linux, but with Win XP, all I had to do was download the right driver and install it.

dive · #13 Post by **dive** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:43 pm

I found this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=010

It's for a T20 but I'm hoping it have the same connections for a T21. If not then it looks like I will need to buy a parts kit that includes that cable. IBM only had it listed as part of a kit unfortunately.

*Edit: The linux kernel includes a driver for my card so it should work without any extra drivers as soon I can get the right cable. At the moment it sees it and reports the MAC and that's it's it so far. At least it looks to be working.

A harder problem will be to get the modem working. If it's a winmodem like most desktop pci cards then there will be problems. On the other hand if it's a full hardware modem like most externals are there shouldn't be a problem.

Robbyrobot · #14 Post by **Robbyrobot** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 5:51 am

I found this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=010

It's for a T20 but I'm hoping it have the same connections for a T21.

It does. The cables are there, and all you have to do is plug the connector into the socket on the subcard. But to do that, you'll have to dismantle the computer completely (remove the mainboard). Not a really big job, but make sure you keep the screws for each component together with the component, since it's otherwise difficult to reassemble the computer.

dive · #15 Post by **dive** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:54 am

I managed to use a thin screwdriver to push the plug in. Seems ok. I didn't really fancy taking it all apart.

Thanks for your help guys.

Now to find out about the modem...

Robbyrobot · #16 Post by **Robbyrobot** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 10:29 am

I managed to use a thin screwdriver to push the plug in. Seems ok. I didn't really fancy taking it all apart.

Start the computer, go into the BIOS and if you see a MAC address listed, the plug is in correctly. If there's no MAC address in the BIOS, you'll have to try again, since then the plug isn't attached properly.

dive · #17 Post by **dive** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 11:53 am

Yep all seems good.

T21 internal network card

T21 internal network card

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