Upgrade to centrino?

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ThinkPad · #1 Post by **ThinkPad** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:53 pm

Is it possible to upgrade my T30 with the centrino mobile technology? I have a wireless card, but thats only limited to my router. I love the mobility of the centrino, I was using my friends T-41 and was able to pick up a random connection at the airport and thought that was really cool.

If not centrino then is there anything comparable?

Thanks

JHEM · #2 Post by **JHEM** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 9:12 pm

I'm not certain what it is you're asking.

Why does your existing wireless card only connect to your router?

Is it a 802.11b WiFi card? If so, it will work anywhere provided you've set it up correctly.

Centrino is a marketing term used by Intel to identify laptops that have an Intel chipset, an Intel PentiumM processor and an Intel WiFi card.

I have a PentiumM T40, but it's not a Centrino because I have an IBM WiFi card in it. I also have T21s, a T23 and a T30 that all have WiFi built-in and I have used them around the world along with my venerable 600X and it's 3COM X-Jack WiFi card.

Tell us more about your T30 (model no.?) and perhaps we can help.

Regards,

James

csv96 · #3 Post by **csv96** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 9:14 pm

Intel Centrino Mobile technology is by definition an Intel 855 Chipset, Intel Pentium M processor, and an Intel PRO/Wireless WiFi mini-PCI adapter. Your T30 does not support any of these component so no, it isn't possible to upgrade to Centrino technology. In reality, Centrino is really just a marketing tactic as there are plently of excellent non-Centrino Pentium M systems on the market (such as the Thinkpad T40/T41/T42 series laptops that use the IBM/Atheros 802.11a/b/g WiFi mini-PCI adapter).

ian · #4 Post by **ian** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 5:03 pm

JHEM wrote: I also have T21s, a T23 and a T30 that all have WiFi built-in and I have used them around the world

James, from your statement I must assume that it IS possible to have a T21 with a built in antenna - was this DIY or were there models factory prepared? Would you think it possible to upgrade my Plll 800Mhz ?

Ian

ThinkPad · #5 Post by **ThinkPad** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 5:57 pm

I believe I have the terminology mixed up. Pretty much im looking for the wireless mobile technology that can pick up any remote connection.

I currently have the Linksys 2.4GHz Wireless G notebook adapter like the one over here
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... 7?v=glance

looks like this

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000 ... ZZZZZ_.jpg

and im not sure but I think its only limited to my linksys router, because I havent been able to connect anywhere else with this card, like I could with the T41 Thinkpad

JohnDrake · #6 Post by **JohnDrake** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:20 pm

I would recommend you consider
31P9101 IBM 11 a/b/g Wireless Cardbus Adapter

This is a cardbus adapter, so it will protrude slightly like your Linksys adapter. However, it is fully supported by IBM's Access Connections program, and will let you latch on to any unencrypted 802.11a/b/g network for that T30.

ThinkPad · #7 Post by **ThinkPad** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 7:23 pm

^Thanks, Is that the fastest and strongest card available? Also I take it, it will work with my current linksys system and be able to pick up other networks?

JHEM · #8 Post by **JHEM** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 7:41 pm

ian wrote:James, from your statement I must assume that it IS possible to have a T21 with a built in antenna - was this DIY or were there models factory prepared? Would you think it possible to upgrade my Plll 800Mhz?

Upon reflection I shouldn't have included my T21 in that mix as I used it with a 3COM card back in the day.

But, plus ca change, I recently got a new SXGA+ display for a T23 off eBay with the antennae built-in and installed it on my son's 2647-FX1 T21. Swapped the Intel combo Ethernet/Modem card for the Intel combo WiFi/Modem card and it works a treat!

Have to use a PC card for wired ethernet now, but he says it was definitely worth it. Should work just as well if you want to try it on your's, but the downside is that the wired displays are expensive.

Regards,

James

ThinkPad · #9 Post by **ThinkPad** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 7:47 pm

Thinkpad wrote: and strongest card available??

the reason I ask is with this linksys wireless card, if im not right by the router I dont get a strong signal and sometimes none in another room...

Compared to the T41 where I got a relatively good signal everywhere.

Also "Jhem" how did you get the T30 to have a built in wireless?

Thanks

MadeInJapan · #10 Post by **MadeInJapan** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 7:58 pm

I have a D-Link router that sounds similar to your Linksys. It's signal was not very strong either until I noticed that Hawking made a High Gain Antena that would fit my router. It was on sale at CompUSA last week so I bought it for about $20 and attached it to my router, taking off the antena that was OEM. Now, I get a strong signal anywhere in the house. I noticed that the Hawking antena had attachments in the box to allow it to work with Linksys routers too. Just a thought....if you just want to improve your reception in your house, you can change your router's antena. If you want to pick up signals elsewhere, you should consider what another poster here told you and get an IBM wireless PCMCIA card.

JHEM · #11 Post by **JHEM** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 11:36 pm

Thinkpad wrote:Also "Jhem" how did you get the T30 to have a built in wireless?

All T30s are "WiFi Upgradable" in that they come from the factory with the antennae already installed in the display. If you purchase a mini-PCI WiFi card made for your system and install it, you should get as good reception as you experienced with your friend's T41!

I'm sorry that I hadn't realized that you were using a PC card in your machine and not a mini-PCI card when you referred to your WiFi card.

Get the HMM for your machine here: ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mo ... 2p1840.pdf and read up on installing the WiFi mini-PCI card starting on page 75 of 168.

Then check eBay for a WiFi card for your system, but I would suggest getting the Cisco Aironet 802.11b card (IBM part no. 26P8319) or the IBM/Atheros 802.11a/b card (IBM part no. 26P8442).

If you want to get an a/b/g card, the IBM card is excellent and can be made to work in your system with a minor CMOS hack, there are many threads on that subject here in the T series forums.

Regards,

James

ThinkPad · #12 Post by **ThinkPad** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:18 am

^Thats for the info, very helpful

Now is your setup comparable to the 31P9101 IBM 11 a/b/g Wireless Cardbus Adapter in terms of speed and signal power? The reason im asking is if getting the PC card will allow me to have a better signal than the mini pc wifi and pick up more networks, I would go that route.

Is the wireless cardbus plug and play?

Is the Cisco Aironet mini PCI plug and play as well? with it work with my current linksys and other networks.

Sorry for the multiple questions, im just trying to understand and figure this out to get the best option.

much thanks.

ThinkPad · #13 Post by **ThinkPad** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 9:07 am

Is this a good mini pci card?

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/defaul ... EDC=525762

or this one

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/defaul ... EDC=421792

JHEM · #14 Post by **JHEM** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:27 am

Either one of those cards will work just fine, although the a/b/g card will require a CMOS hack to be accepted by the T30.

However, they're both very expensive at CDW. The a/b/g card from IBM is only $65: http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... lCurrId=73 or $99 http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... &storeId=1 depending on which one you get.

You can also use the Intel/Pro 2200b/g/ card for $59: http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... &cntry=840 howver many here in the Forums have been less than enthusiastic about this particular card.

Any of the above should give far better WiFi coverage than your present Cardbus card. All of the cards are basically Plug-and-Play with the IBM provided drivers.

Any 802.11b WiFi card should work with your present LinkSYS Router/WAP provided you have set it up correctly and have not excluded the card by requiring MAC filtering. Given the preponderance of 11/g public access points I've noted lately, I would strongly suggest you get a 11b/g card at the least. 11a is a rapidly dying standard that is seldom used in public areas.

Regards,

James

ThinkPad · #15 Post by **ThinkPad** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 5:23 pm

JHEM You got pm

Upgrade to centrino?

Upgrade to centrino?

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