On A31p, is this possible?

[matermark]

Both my A31p laptops came with WiFi, Bluetooth, Modem. So I won't have to be installing antennas or anything (I don't think.)

What is the easiest or best way to get faster WiFi without going to an external/pcmcia card? I'd like to have ALL of the following if possible:

a/b/g or b/g/n
Bluetooth
56k modem
10/100/1000

Currently, they are both 10/100/B-WiFi/modem/Bluetooth machines from the factory. Both have 2GB ram upgrade (not from the factory.)

One is a 2653-HTU (Office XP) and the other is 2653-R6U (Win2K) changed to XP.

Can anybody help with part #s & if/how it can be done, or the closest configuration to what I desire? I almost bought another A31p that was maxed out with a faster cpu & A/B/G-WiFi but no Bluetooth and the seller didn't know or think it was possible.

Thanks for any help!

P.S. Is there any way other than a PCMCIA to get USB 2.0?

[ajkula66]

You can forget Gigabit Ethernet, as well as USB 2.0 internally. PCMCIA is the only way to go.

As for faster wireless, Intel 2200BG and Broadcom 4306/4309 (b/g versus a/b/g) cards have been reported to work without hacking the BIOS. Numerous other cards will work with a hack.

I'm not aware of any "n" card that will work in an A31p.

Hope this helps.

[sjthinkpader]

11n will need the 3rd antenna. I actually installed the 3rd antenna in two A31/A31p. They went in just to the right of the UltraPort.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=

Look for my posts.

[sjthinkpader]

The BDC originally in the A31p doesn't have a modem (BMDC) and I haven't tried a T4x BMDC200 card in a A31. If your unit doesn't have a BT antenna, use a short lead Hitachi Cable antenna and reception is adequate.

These MBs can support up to a 2.6Ghz P4 CPU. I have a 2.5Ghz in my A31 now. If you use the computer in high duty cycle environment, I would stay with 2.0-2.2Ghz. It is pretty safe to use a 2.5Ghz in a low duty cycle service such as email and web surfing. Whenever you go above the 2.0Ghz standard maximum CPU speed, it is advisable to use NHC to monitor the CPU temperature.

For USB2.0, you can use a full dock and put a USB2.0 card in the PCI slot. Full dock has a fan and noisier.

At one point I had 8-10 of these in the extended family but in the process moving on to the R52/T43 series.