A31p Bluetooth Wireless Modem Upgrades

[tvccs]

I finally got around to installing an Intel 2200BG Mini-PCI card into my A31p, which works fine after the no-1802 hack. I'd like to upgrade the Bluetooth daughter card as well and get my modem functionality back and some added BT profiles for a headset, etc. I understand the BMDC200 or BMDC200b will work, and can be hooked into the existing Bluetooth antenna. Is there anything else I need to do to get the modem working again? The original Mini-PCI High Rate Wireless Modem had a plug that wasn't used on the 2200BG - is that the modem connection and does it need to be routed into the new card?

Thanks for any and all assistance.

[Harryc]

Take a look at the parts list for options. If you replaced the original High rate wireless/modem Mini PCI combo card with a 2200b/g card, then you should be able to get an Ethernet/Modem Mini PCI combo card and a BMDC card and use that arrangement. If you do not need Ethernet, then you might want to give the BMDC200 card a try. I am not sure that it works, so maybe someone will see this post who has done it.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 39574.html

[tvccs]

Take a look at the parts list for options. If you replaced the original High rate wireless/modem Mini PCI combo card with a 2200b/g card, then you should be able to get an Ethernet/Modem Mini PCI combo card and a BMDC card and use that arrangement. If you do not need Ethernet, then you might want to give the BMDC200 card a try. I am not sure that it works, so maybe someone will see this post who has done it.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 39574.html

The link references the original parts and options for the A31p, rather than possible upgrades. There were no 802.11g options available for the A31p from IBM, but users have replaced the original Mini-PCI cards with several G cards, most often having to use the no-1802 hack (as I did) but none of these have the modems. I've read on older posts in other forums that the BMDC200's daughter cards can be swapped out to regain modem functionality, but there may be issues with the cable being too short...but it's not clear whether that applies to an A31p from what I've read.

Hence, my question(s).

[Harryc]

Ah...but if you use the right option cards the cable/s should reach.

[ajkula66]

I've never been bothered with this since I don't use a modem to begin with, but will test it out later tonight and post the results.

[ajkula66]

Update: it is doable. You have to be careful not to overstretch anything, but the modem cable can reach the combo card.

I haven't tested it for functionality or possible BIOS errors though, just for physical fit.

[tvccs]

Thanks for that info...I have a BMDC200 on order...and hopefully it will work. The info I've seen discussed through the past several years says the BMDC200 and BMDC200b will work in the A31p, but not the later series of Bluetooth daughter cards. I appreciate your checking and will post the results here for future reference.

[tvccs]

Okay...some good and some bad news...got the BMDC200 and installed it...was able to route the modem cable underneath without much issue to get it to fit right. Bluetooth antenna transferred without issue. Modem installed in Device Manager as AGERE AC 97 Modem #2 and says all is well, although I haven't used it yet. I did not download/use the separate modem software from IBM.

Installed IBM Bluetooth II software from IBM site as directed. Software installed generally without much hitch in following directions. However, the following issues remain...

My main purposes for wanting the newer card were the audio gateway, headset, and serial port functions allowing me to HotSync a Palm phone. I have an LG HBS-250 stereo Bluetooth headset which works fine with the Broadcom Bluetooth 2.0 on an Acer netbook and Bluetooth 1.2 on a Palm Treo 700p through the Broadcom software and Softick Audio Gateway.

On this card, however, the headset is seen, but it will not recognize the headset for the audio gateway function. I can get the headset function to be seen, but when it connects I am getting a repeated series of eight escalated tones which coincide with a flash of the Bluetooth LED on the A31p. It doesn't seem as if it's actually locking up/syncing properly.

It also appears that even though the IBM/Widcomm software is supposed to have been installed over the default Windows software, the Windows software still wants to be active. I also tried using just the default Windows software which has no higher-end features and doesn't see the headset properly either.

I'm also wondering why the card itself is listed in the Device Manager as a 1.1 when I thought the BMDC200 was a 1.2 spec. Did I miss that? Is the BMDC200B a 1.2?

Again, any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

[RealBlackStuff]

Try the BlueSoleil software, which seems to be an allrounder for BT. http://www.bluesoleil.com/

[tvccs]

Thanks...I was hoping to not have to spend $30 to enable an $8 Bluetooth adapter to provide stereo.

[tvccs]

As an update for those that find this post...both the BlueSoleil and Toshiba Bluetooth stacks enable the audio gateway/stereo function with the BMDC200. The BlueSoleil is the simpler interface, while the Toshiba BT stack offers more options, including some choice in the bandwidth for A2DP and other functionality. I haven't been able to find a Broadcom/Widcomm stack that works with the BMDC200 to enable stereo, and the IBM Bluetooth II software doesn't work properly as well. Both the BlueSoleil and Toshiba stacks allow me to HotSync my Palm Treo 700p, but again, the Toshiba stack offers more options, while the BlueSoleil stack is simpler and easier to implement. I tested with BlueSoleil 5 and Toshiba 5 and 7. Neither the Toshiba or BlueSoleil stacks enable Bluetooth dial-up functionality via the MobileStream USB Modem software, which suppresses the built-in DUN and requires adding another COM port and some other issues I haven't been able to resolve as of yet, at least. The BlueSoleil 5 software doesn't allow the user to readily create added COM ports, while the Toshiba software offers almost unlimited choices, but I can't yet find something that makes USB Modem work properly in Bluetooth mode.

[RealBlackStuff]

Good info.
Don't forget that the A31p is only USB1.1 or USB1.0.
Your modem-wishes may require USB2.0 ...

[tvccs]

True...but I have a 4-port PCMCIA USB 2.0 card installed...so that issue...shouldn't be...I hope. The MobileStream USB Modem software doesn't require USB 2.0 to my knowledge...and that shouldn't affect the BT DUN, regardless, or at least it would seem as such.

[RealBlackStuff]

Putting in a PCMCIA USB2.0 card does not make the A31p ports also 2.0, they (and the rest of the laptop) remain USB1.x

[tvccs]

Um...yeah...that much I knew