X61s and Intel Link 5350 Wi-Fi / Wi-Max upgrade

[kokkolis]

Dear all,

Has anyone ever fitted an Intel Link 5350 Wi-fi (a/b/g/n) / Wi-Max to replace the bog-standard Intel Link 4965AG that my laptop comes with?

I 've noticed that both cards have 3 connection pins, but I am not sure if my laptop internally features 3 antennas connected to the card, or just 2.

If you have ever fitted a Link 5350, (and if my laptop comes with only 2 internal antennas fitted to the 4965AG), do you expect that in such case I would lose the full functionality of the 5350?

I should also mention that my laptop is the 7669-45U model, featuring WWAN with the expandable antenna (and internally has one antenna connected to a Sierra MC8775).

I am running on Win7 Ultimate.

[kokkolis]

...oh, and I should also point out that the model is the 7669-45U -if this is helpful!!!

[morkli]

You'd also need a modified BIOS and tape pin 20 on the WiFi card, then drivers. The hardware switch and Access Connections are unlikely to recognise the card.

Cheers,

[kokkolis]

Dear morkli,

Do you think I need the modified BIOS from zender & tape pin 20 even when putting in a "Lenovo-branded" card?

Many thanks !!

[loyukfai]

I upgraded from 4965AG to 5300, except for the intermittent wireless LED, it's working just fine. I did flash Zender's BIOS. Think the 5100/5300/5350, even Lenovo-branded ones, aren't whitelisted in the stock Lenovo BIOS, not 100% sure through.

No idea about the WiMax part.

Cheers.

[morkli]

Dear morkli,

Do you think I need the modified BIOS from zender & tape pin 20 even when putting in a "Lenovo-branded" card?

Many thanks !!

It won't hurt to try it without. I do think you will need the modified BIOS from Zender regardless, but not so sure about the taped pin 20 with a Lenovo branded card. I put a Lenovo branded F3507g WWAN card into my X60 and it needed both the Zender BIOS, to bypass the 1802/1804 error and pin 20 taped for drivers to recognise the card in Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Cheers,