Questions about mini pci-e slot in T400

T400/410/420 and T500/510/520 series specific matters only
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RTAdams89
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Questions about mini pci-e slot in T400

#1 Post by RTAdams89 » Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:13 am

I just received my new T400 and love it. I opted to not get the WWAN option factory installed, as I have no desire to pay $50+ a month for data access. This means I have an unused mini pci-e slot and antennas in my T400. After doing some research, I've come up with two things I would like to use the pci-e connection for, but have some questions:

First, I've read about some users installing WWAN cards with integrated GPS in their laptops and then using the card for GPS functionality without having to buy or use a data plan. I've looked into buying an unlocked WWAN card with GPS on eBay and other places, but some sellers make a point of specifically saying the ThinkPad's BIOS will prevent the card from working. Is there some sort of hard coded restriction on the WWAN cards I can use in the T400?

Second, if I don't (or am unable to) set up a WWAN card in the slot, I was considering installing a ATSC TV tuner card (such as: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... tsupported). I've read about these cards on some of the netbook forums out there, and some people have had more success than others. It looks like reception will be the hardest part of getting it to work. The card comes with an antenna, but I wonder if I could use the T400's built-in antennas fro WWAN? Is the antenna bundled with the card that much better/different?

RTAdams89
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Location: Tempe, AZ

Re: Questions about mini pci-e slot in T400

#2 Post by RTAdams89 » Tue Jul 07, 2009 2:57 pm

Anyone?

Dead1nside
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Re: Questions about mini pci-e slot in T400

#3 Post by Dead1nside » Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:03 am

If I understand correctly Thinkpads block non Lenovo approved cards in the mine pci-e slot. This is a common problem with after market WLAN cards and is documented on the forum. The same is also true for WWAN.

I have seen people use a USB TV-tuner with great success and an external aerial, otherwise an internal one I can imagine would be quite temperamental.
T41p 2373-GHG / 1.5Ghz 'Banias' / NMB Keyboard
T61 14.1'' 7661-CTO / Vista Business / WXGA / T7300 / 2GB RAM / 80GB HDD / X3100 / 3945ABG / NMB KB /
T400 14.1'' 2768-CTO / Vista Business / WXGA / P8400 / 4GB RAM / 200GB 7200RPM / HD 3470 / 5300AGN / WWAN / NMB KB

RTAdams89
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Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:02 pm
Location: Tempe, AZ

Re: Questions about mini pci-e slot in T400

#4 Post by RTAdams89 » Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:00 am

I've heard of this with the T40/T60 series, but does the T400 series also block non-approved cards? If so, does it only block WWAN cards, or are any mini pcie cards not pre approved blocked?

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