T61P 6459CTO & Gobi 2000 Unlocked (60Y3183) with Win7 64bit

[chaz_u4ea]

I am attempting to get a Gobi 2000 card working with my T61P (6459-CTO). I've been using a Sierra Wireless MC5725 for sometime but wanted to add the GPS functionality that the Gobi 2000 includes as well as the option to use GSM when I travel.

I am using the BIOS that allows newer devices that the stock BIOS blacklists and the BIOS error is not an issue. The card and drivers installed fine, however, I am not seeing the WWAN card on the list of devices when I press F5 to power on the device and as such, can't get it connected to Verizon to activate. When I attempt activiation, I received the following error from Mobile Broadband Self Activation:

"Device is currently disabled by hardware. Error QE108"

Components of the devices are listed in device manager and are not disabled. In fact the modem device responds to inquiries. I have attempted power on and activation through F5, Acess Connections, and VZ Access Manager (for embedded devices). All attempts fail.

I would greatly appreciate any sage advice from someone who has accomplished this or hit a brick wall and found out why. I have already given up on the intel 5350 and hoped I could future proof a little with the Gobi 2000.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Config: T61P Type: 6459 Processor: T7800 RAM: 8GB (G.Skill 16x256x2) HD: Seagate .5TB O/S: Win7 64Bit

[chaz_u4ea]

Wanted to add the following information. I have checked both TpFnF5.exe and AcAdaptersInfo.dll on my machine and find that both files have vendor and device information for the Gobi 2000 card in question. Vendor ID: 05C6 and Device ID: 9205.

When I use the FN+F5 comand, the pop-up window does not include the Gobi 2000 card in the list of devices I can power on and off regardless of whether Access Connections is installed. All other adapters, Wireless, Bluetooth, and WUSB, appear as they always have.

[Peak2Peak]

Try taping over Pin20 of your Gobi2000 - (It could be that the BIOS is sending the card a disable signal).

[chaz_u4ea]

Thanks for the information. Do you know if this is required when a BIOS that prevents hardware black listing is installed?

Also, I am able to query the Gobi 2000 modem. It's very strange.

[chaz_u4ea]

Thanks again for the info. Tapinng pin 20 did the trick. Both connection utilitiies (Access Connections or VZAccess Manager) can be used to connect although I had to use VZAccess Manager for the iniital activiation of the card. Connect speeds are much faster than the Sierra MC5725 card that I was replacing.

The GPS enabler software for the Gobi card works in both stand alone and XTRA mode (XTRA Mode data must be downloaded while the GPS is active).

I did find it odd that while I am using a modified BIOS that should whitelist network cards, taping PIN 20 is still reqiired. Nevertheless, the card works with pin 20 taped.

[Peak2Peak]

Good to hear all is well - Happy surfing!

[LK7R]

Just to let you guys know, Qualcomm GOBI 2000 FRU 78Y1399 in T60 2007-FRG with Windows 7 Professional 32bit works great after following your instructions.
Also had to buy a few spare parts to get SIM card reader and WWAN antenas (SIM pn: 41W1353, Antena pn: 42W2670 price 11 EUR for the lot).

[RealBlackStuff]

I assume you are using Middleton's BIOS.
I also assume pin 20 on an IBM-approved card has a certain function, hence it should not be meddled with.
That BIOS does skip the IBM whitelist but does not otherwise interfere with the hardware.

[LK7R]

BIOS is not complaining (original Lenovo module), but Access Connection won't go without pin 20 taped... Piece of tape solved the problem.

[Megavvolt]

Thanks for a great piece of information - got another question though.
Does taping pin20 mean that power saving features of the card are going to be disabled, too? GPS eats up my PDA battery in just a couple of hours - a card with wifi and gps should really affect on a battery life. Somebody please help - I'd love to know I'm wrong...