T61p and Sierra Wireless MC5725 VZW

[Makikun]

I have a T61p and when I ordered it from Lenovo I did NOT include the MC5725 verizon wireless WWAN card. After I received the laptop I decided I wanted it. So, I purchased a MC5725 and the correct antenna. I spent two hours installing the antennas following the FRU instructions provided on the Lenovo website. I got everything installed correctly however I have run into an issue. Sometimes when I power on the laptop I get the error "1804 Unauthorized WAN card inserted, power off and remove card." Now if I reboot the laptop 2 or 3 times, it gets past the screen and boots into Windows and works fine. I am able to use the VZAccess Manager to connect to the internet fine. I tried updating the BIOS using the bootable CD however the issue is still happening. Do I have to update the model number using the option when booting from the BIOS CD? I put in a service call to IBM but they have not responded yet and I have a feeling they will give me some BS about since I didn't purchase it with the laptop, I'm screwed. Anyone have any ideas? It gets kinda annoying having to power off and on a few times to get it to boot.


T61p 15.4" 6459-CTO
2GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M <--The Awesome-sauce

[erik]

what's the FRU number on the card?

[Makikun]

I can't find out at the moment. I don't feel like taking the laptop apart at work =P. I leave at 9 so I can take off the keyboard then. Does the FRU matter even though it's an MC5725?

[Makikun]

Oh I forgot one thing. I was wondering if I reset my model number using the BIOS CD to a model that would have the card standard, will that brick the laptop?

[Makikun]

OK! I took apart the T61p and got the FRU off the MC5725. It is 42T0929.

[Makikun]

Sigh, just as I thought... Just got off the phone with Lenovo after 28 minutes for them to tell me "it should work" and "there is nothing we can do for that." Exact words. I guess I'll have to keep booting it to get it to work.. OR somehow mod the BIOS so it doesn't check for WWAN cards...

[alancaster]

Can you please send me the FRU for the antenna you are using? I cannot find it anywhere and need to order one. Also, if you can tell me where you ordered it that would be great. Thanks.

[TuuS]

Can you please send me the FRU for the antenna you are using? I cannot find it anywhere and need to order one. Also, if you can tell me where you ordered it that would be great. Thanks.

You probably won't get a reply being this topic is over 4years old, but if you want you can add a couple extra wifi antenna either in your lid, or under the keyboard bezel or palmrest. I could send you some if you like. If you want to order the factory ones, check the hardware manual, but I doubt lenovo still sells them.