Mini-pci thinkpad T40

[dannybek]

I have bought a thinkpad T40 without a wireless mini-pci card. What I heard is that the Intel Wireless Pro 2100 doesn't work or work well. Please tell me which model to buy.

 

[dannybek]

Anyone?

 

[Yomicron]

Where did you hear that the Intel card doesn't work well?

I too have a new T40 and am looking for a mini-pci wireless card to put in it.

 

[OldSpooky]

The Intel card has adequate performance, but some cards are better. I remember that the Dell TrueMobile 1300 has better range and supports 802.11g draft spec. You can see the manufacturers specs at Dell.com

 

[azazello]

Mine is a Cisco card (I would have ordered Intel, but they were out of stock on that), and I coerced them to sell it for $75 to me. Works pretty well - no complaints. I suspect the Intel card would work just as well, but I can't be sure.

Important: Be aware that you need a precision toolkit (precision phillips screwdriver or preferrably two of different size) and a razor blade (to remove stickers on the screws holding the wristpad) to install the card. You'll want to look at T40 hardware maintenance manual. You need to remove the battery, keyboard, and the palmrest/touchpad cover before installing. The card goes in a socket like a SODIMM socket, but you have to also connect the antennas and route their wires. The slot for the card is directly below the touchpad (and directly above the south bridge on the motherboard).

 

[mocca]

AFAIR, there is no sticker cover any screw slots, are you shure about this? May be because I have the model with TR7 security screws? Where is the sticker you mentioned?

Mocca

 

[azazello]

On the lower front side of the laptop, where the speaker grills are. To remove the palm rest, you have to remove the sticky caps and unscrew 5 of them.

 

[Leeb00]

The T40's with Intel 2100 wireless card are having problems with dropped sessions. It's related to the power management on the T40. Disabling PM fixes the problem, but I've heard that some users have called IBM and IBM has sent replacement boards (self installable) that correct this problem.