Bluetooth Antenna Cable

[LyonAdmiral]

So I just replaced the modem module in my originally non bluetooth with the modem/bluetooth module. I noticed that the LCD assembly doesn't have the antenna for the bluetooth. Am I SOL with my purchase or is there a fix or another assembly I can get (other than a usb bluetooth module).

Thanks,
Dan

[Harryc]

Which thinkpad model is this?

[LyonAdmiral]

I'm such a dolt.

It's a T42: 2373-BK4

[Johan]

From Lenovo.com's support pages you'll read the following specifications

Product: ThinkPad T42 2373-BK4

Original description: Based 2373-4WU: P M 735(1.7GHz), 512MB RAM, 60GB 5400rpm HDD, 14.1in 1024x768 LCD, 32MB ATI Radeon 7500, 24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, Intel 802.11bg wireless, Modem, 1Gb Ether, UltraNav, Sec Chip, 6 cell Li-Ion Batt, WinXP Pro

According to 14.1inch LCD service parts - ThinkPad T40/p, T41/p, T42/p the 14.1" T42's of the 4Wx-series ("x" in your case being "U") comes with the LCD cable assembly XGA = 91P6786 being a non-Bluetooth set... so there's no Bluetooth antennas or cables in your T42...

Johan

[Harryc]

You'd have to add a bluetooth antenna which involves taking the LCD apart, and you'd also need a new clearplate with bluetooth. Honestly the easiest solution is a USB dongle. There are some low profile ones available that don't stick out very far.

[Johan]

Dan:

It just crossed my mind, that you may in principle install an internal miniPCI Bluetooth interface in your T42 and then use one of the two WLAN antennas as a Bluetooth-antenna (simply move one of the antenna cables from the WLAN miniPCI interface to the Bluetooth interface) - although you will obviously sacrifice some WLAN performance by going from two WLAN antennas (enabling/supporting space-diversity) to only one WLAN antenna.

Bluetooth and WLAN 802.11 b/g share the same frequency range in the 2.4 GHz ISM band; see e.g. Wikipedia - Bluetooth air interface and Wikipedia - List of WLAN channels. Also, see the thread Are the WiFi and Bluetooth antennas interchangable???. Still, Harry's suggestion of adding a compact USB or PCMCIA Bluetooth interface is easier and cheaper; something e.g. like this or this.

Johan