x60 Verizon to Cingular WWAN swap question (and trade offer)

[tomz17]

I am looking to swap the WWAN card in my X60 from Verizon to Cingular.


First a question :

Is this even possible? I read here in a previous thread that the x60 is not available in GSM configurations (http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=33520, particularly the post by EOMtp) and lacks the necessary SIM card slot.

However, my x60 DOES indeed have a sim card holder underneath the battery cover. Will changing the mini-pci card and software be sufficient, or am I missing something.


Second is my offer :

Does anyone want to trade a Lenovo HSDPA card (either unlocked or cingular) for a Lenovo EVDO card (verizon). It is an MC5720, version P1808300, has a clear ESN and works perfectly on both EVDO and Nationalaccess (I've used it for a few weeks).

Will Trade
Have : Verizon WWAN MC5720/ FRU # 41W1177
Want : Cingular or Unlocked WWAN MC8765 / FRU #42T0804


I will consider straight 1:1 trades first, followed by trades where money is involved.


-Tom

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

From what I know, Cingular/AT&T does involve having a SIM card, unlike Verizon.

But I don't have one to trade.

Good luck.

[tomz17]

Welcome to the forum!

From what I know, Cingular/AT&T does involve having a SIM card, unlike Verizon.

But I don't have one to trade.

Good luck.

Let me clarify the question portion of my post then. I DO have a cingular 3G sim card with data plan. My x60 currently has a sierra EVDO mini-pci card running on verizon. I want to use cingular for data, and therefore want to swap the EVDO mini-pci card to an HSDPA one.

My question stems from the fact that I was led to believe this was impossible by other posts here. My X60 DOES have a sim card slot underneath the battery cover (despite some posts here that indicate x60's do not come standard with HSDPA cards and should NOT have a sim card slot). So my question is whether it's as simple as swapping my EVDO mini-pci card for an HSDPA mini-pci card --or-- is there some fundamental reason why that won't work on an x60. (firmware/bios lock on the x60 because they didn't come standard, different antenna connection etc. etc.)

[EOMtp]

My question stems from the fact that I was led to believe this was impossible by other posts here. My X60 DOES have a sim card slot underneath the battery cover (despite some posts here that indicate x60's do not come standard with HSDPA cards and should NOT have a sim card slot). So my question is whether it's as simple as swapping my EVDO mini-pci card for an HSDPA mini-pci card --or-- is there some fundamental reason why that won't work on an x60. (firmware/bios lock on the x60 because they didn't come standard, different antenna connection etc. etc.)

My comment from 2006 that you referenced in the opening post was worded poorly; it referenced the machine which did not have the SIM card. X60/s definitely can take internal GSM cards if the machine has the SIM card holder installed, as yours does.

One simply swaps the EV-DO card with the HSDPA card (Note: the HSDPA card will have only one antenna connection; connect the black cable with he red band), and uses the AT&T Connection Manager software or similar, such as any one of the multiple flavors of the 3G Watcher program from Sierra Wireless.

One note of caution: Whereas installing a Lenovo-branded Rev. A EV-DO card in an X60/s yields an 1802 error at bootup, installing a Lenovo-branded MC8775 card [AT&T/Cingular (locked) or Vodafone (unlocked)] does not generate the boot error. However, the operating system never "sees" the card if installed on an X60/s. Consequently, for an X60/s, you will have to use the earlier generation of the MC8775, namely an MC8755- or MC8765-based Lenovo card.

[tomz17]

One note of caution: Whereas installing a Lenovo-branded Rev. A EV-DO card in an X60/s yields an 1802 error at bootup, installing a Lenovo-branded MC8775 card [AT&T/Cingular (locked) or Verizon (unlocked)] does not generate the boot error. However, the operating system never "sees" the card if installed on an X60/s. Consequently, for an X60/s, you will have to use the earlier generation of the MC8775, namely an MC8755-based Lenovo card.

Thank you for the prompt clarification. I have one additional question. I want to use this card at 3G rates in the USA (850/1900). I believe that the MC8755 only operates on European HSDPA frequencies (as posted here : http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=62260, and specsheet here : http://www.sierrawireless.com/resources ... %201.2.pdf) ?

Did lenovo ever sell an MC8765 in an X60? Any idea whether one would work in an x60, or would the bios lock it out? Also, any idea what would happen if I put in the non-lenovo Sierra Aircard MC8765? Would the bios lock that out? Any easy way to get around it?

[EOMtp]

Did lenovo ever sell an MC8765 in an X60? Any idea whether one would work in an x60, or would the bios lock it out? Also, any idea what would happen if I put in the non-lenovo Sierra Aircard MC8765? Would the bios lock that out? Any easy way to get around it?

Here is your answer:
http://i9.ebayimg.com/08/i/000/e9/e9/ac0e_1.JPG
The above card (MC8765 / FRU #42T0804) is for AT&T/Cingular and will work on an X60/s. Any non-Lenovo card will generate an error at bootup; the only way to get around the error is to use a modified BIOS!

[tomz17]

Did lenovo ever sell an MC8765 in an X60? Any idea whether one would work in an x60, or would the bios lock it out? Also, any idea what would happen if I put in the non-lenovo Sierra Aircard MC8765? Would the bios lock that out? Any easy way to get around it?

Here is your answer:
http://i9.ebayimg.com/08/i/000/e9/e9/ac0e_1.JPG
The above card (MC8765 / FRU #42T0804) is for AT&T/Cingular and will work on an X60/s. Any non-Lenovo card will generate an error at bootup; the only way to get around the error is to use a modified BIOS!

Thank you for all of your help. This FRU is indeed on the x60 product page!

I guess I will modify my request for a trade then

Will Trade
Have : Verizon WWAN MC5720/ FRU # 41W1177
Want : Cingular or Unlocked WWAN MC8765 / FRU #42T0804

[EOMtp]

Have : Verizon WWAN MC5720/ FRU # 42T0929

You might want to correct the above inconsistency: the two numbers don't "match". FRU #42T0929 is an MC5725 (EV-DO Rev. A) -- which does not work in an X60/s, if that's your machine. What do you have? MC5720 or MC5725?

[tomz17]

Have : Verizon WWAN MC5720/ FRU # 42T0929

You might want to correct the above inconsistency: the two numbers don't "match". FRU #42T0929 is an MC5725 (EV-DO Rev. A) -- which does not work in an X60/s, if that's your machine. What do you have? MC5720 or MC5725?

Whoops, thanks for the sharp eye. It is definitely a 5720. I believe that is FRU 41W1177?