T60P and wireless N upgrade

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DAH · #1 Post by **DAH** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 2:48 am

Okay so I have a T60p and I'm thinking about upgrading the wireless card on it to an "N" version. Can I do this without hacking the BIOS on my T60p? Are there any cards on ebay that support this for my 2613 ETU T60p?

Thanks

crazyfrog · #2 Post by **crazyfrog** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 3:11 am

It's been discussed several times here. Basically it is of no problem.

1. If you can get an IBM/Lenovo certificated N card, then you don't need to back BIOS. Otherwise you have to do some research in this forum.

2. You need to think of adding another antenna. It has been discussed recently too.

DAH · #3 Post by **DAH** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:05 am

Yes it has been discussed a lot here, but I seem to recall conflicting opinions here. I believe there are multiple (at least two) versions of the IBM Atheros 802.11a/b/g/n Mini PCI Express card? I **think** the original Atheros 802.11a/b/g/n Mini PCI Express was approved for the T60p but I seem to recall some wanting the IBM Intel 802.11a/b/g/n Mini PCI Express card. With the older 802.11a/b/g cards the Atheros was generally claimed to be better. With the new Intel and Atheros 802.11a/b/g/n Mini PCI Express cards I'm not so sure it is clear witch is the best. ebay seems to have a lot of pulled Atheros 802.11a/b/g/n Mini PCI Express cards, I'm wondering why?

Thanks

efrant · #4 Post by **efrant** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:51 am

I recently upgraded my Atheros ABG card to the Atheros AGN card in my t60p (and x60s). Easy upgrade, no BIOS mods needed. Card works like a charm. Stuck the third antenna under the keyboard, as I couldn't be bothered to take out the LCD panel and put it in the proper spot.

If, however, you want to use the Intel AGN card, you will need Zender's modded BIOS.

runbuh · #5 Post by **runbuh** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:41 am

efrant wrote:If, however, you want to use the Intel AGN card, you will need Zender's modded BIOS.

I am new to the forum, so forgive my ignorance, but I thought that Lenovo actually had an Intel AGN card that did not have the N-functionality disabled. Does this card actually exist? If so, would this card still need the modded BIOS?

efrant · #6 Post by **efrant** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:44 am

runbuh wrote:I am new to the forum, so forgive my ignorance, but I thought that Lenovo actually had an Intel AGN card that did not have the N-functionality disabled. Does this card actually exist? If so, would this card still need the modded BIOS?

That Intel N card is for the T61, not the T60. It will work with no BIOS mod in the T61. To get it to work in a T60, it requires Zender's mod.

runbuh · #7 Post by **runbuh** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:56 am

efrant wrote:That Intel N card is for the T61, not the T60. It will work with no BIOS mod in the T61. To get it to work in a T60, it requires Zender's mod.

Thanks for the clarification. Now if only my T61p had the three antenna connectors...

efrant · #8 Post by **efrant** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:26 am

runbuh wrote:
efrant wrote:That Intel N card is for the T61, not the T60. It will work with no BIOS mod in the T61. To get it to work in a T60, it requires Zender's mod.
Thanks for the clarification. Now if only my T61p had the three antenna connectors...

No need to have three antennas already wired in your T61p. Just buy a generic third wifi antenna and place it under the keyboard like I did...

runbuh · #9 Post by **runbuh** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:55 am

efrant wrote:No need to have three antennas already wired in your T61p. Just buy a generic third wifi antenna and place it under the keyboard like I did...

Awesome. Perhaps something like this one?

http://www.oxfordtec.com/us/Wireless-An ... a99d53d198

efrant · #10 Post by **efrant** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:30 am

runbuh wrote:
efrant wrote:No need to have three antennas already wired in your T61p. Just buy a generic third wifi antenna and place it under the keyboard like I did...
Awesome. Perhaps something like this one?

http://www.oxfordtec.com/us/Wireless-An ... a99d53d198

Yup, that should work.

crispy517 · #11 Post by **crispy517** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:08 pm

Just wondering about some clarification for wireless N... a wireless N card requires 3 antennae?

If so, would taking an antennae out of another thinkpad work. As in is it safe to use that underneath a keyboard per say.

efrant · #12 Post by **efrant** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:18 pm

crispy517 wrote:Just wondering about some clarification for wireless N... a wireless N card requires 3 antennae?

Yes.

crispy517 wrote:If so, would taking an antennae out of another thinkpad work. As in is it safe to use that underneath a keyboard per say.

Yes and yes.

DAH · #13 Post by **DAH** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:11 am

These cards support dual frequencies, and we are well into the microwave range here. The 5 GHz U-NII frequency bands is segmented into three 100 MHz bands for operation in the US. The lower band ranges from 5.15 -5.25 GHz, the middle band ranges from 5.25-5.35 GHz and the upper band ranges from 5.725-5.825 GHz. At these frequencies the length of the actual antenna becomes very important.

Sure anything that fits on the connector will fit on the connector, but if it would actually make a good antenna might be up in the air.

Do any of these cards support dual simultaneous connections at both 2.2 GHz and 5 GHz? Where the card actually appears as two NICs?

efrant · #14 Post by **efrant** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:39 am

DAH wrote:Do any of these cards support dual simultaneous connections at both 2.2 GHz and 5 GHz? Where the card actually appears as two NICs?

Unfortunately no.

T60P and wireless N upgrade

T60P and wireless N upgrade

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