Upgrading X31 to Bluetooth

[bmegdal]

I see that only a limited number of the various X31 models (and none at 1.7GHz) come with bluetooth. But can I upgrade one that does not come with it by changing the modem card to a Bluetooth/modem card? Two issues would be card compatibility, and whether the bluetooth antenna is present or could be added.

Thanks

[aamsel]

Yes, you can change the modem card for a modem/bluetooth card, but my understanding is that the antenna is not a simple matter if it is not present.
It is a different antenna from the wireless antenna, and it requires a LOT of disassembly to install including the entire LCD panel surround.

I don't know this from experience but from reading other threads here and elsewhere. Try a search for "bluetooth antenna" or "x31 bluetooth" or such here, and see what threads come up.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

Andrew
Austin, TX

[Nebelfelsen]

=> http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=430

[hkhalil]

I have a X31 2672-C2G and according to the IBM matrix I shouldn't be able to have Bluetooth.

I went ahead anyway and ordered Part Nos:

46P2960 - BLUETOOTH LOUVER ANTENNA
91P7315 - BLUETOOTH II & MODEM COMBO
67P1448 - REPLACEMENT ICON KIT FOR X31

Parts list here: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-44049

The whole procedure is not too difficult if you follow the diagrams in the hardware manual; although, it does involve a fair bit of disassembly - Get the manual from:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-44018

The only point worth noting is that this really is made-to-fit. Follow the diagram for the antenna cable route as it may not reach if you go any old how. You might need to remove the modem power cables in order to get the antenna cable aligned, but it's worth the effort to make it neat. The last thing to do is peel of the long sticker at the bottom of the screen and replace it with one that includes a bluetooth icon. There is a LED behind there even if your X31 doesn't have Bluetooth installed. Just get a small screwdriver and lift up one edge - it comes away real easy.

Once back together; I powered up XP and pressing Fn+F5 immediatley showed that the new hardware had been recognised and I had the option to turn the radio on. When you turn the radio on for the first time, that's when the Windows "new hardware found" process starts and is painless.

I had a look on the IBM site to see if there were any specific utills/drivers needed and indeed there were. There is an IBM Bluetooth utill courtesy of WIDCOMM (1.4.3 Build 4) which, once installed, gives you My Bluetooth Places. Be sure to read the txt file with this download as you have to manually select the IBM driver once the utillity is installed. Also, although Windows will have recognised the new hardware; don't have the radio turned on whilst installing the IBM software.

This is what I did and so far, everything seems fine. Once the IBM software is installed it's not hard to add devices such as PDA and mobie phones. I am using the Bluetooth with an iPAQ 3870 and a Motorola V600.

If you own the same machine and want to ask any questions i'll try and help