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    Replacing M.2 WLAN

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by phamhlam, Oct 21, 2013.

  1. phamhlam

    phamhlam Notebook Evangelist

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    I don't like the cheap Intel 7260 BN WLAN card and bought a new Intel 7260 AC WLAN in M.2. The L440 I use has two M.2 slot, one for WLAN and one for WWAN. Does anyone know if I can just swap out the WLAN and it will work or if it will work if I place it in the WWAN slot. In past PCIE thinkpad, placing it in the WWAN slot would require pin 20 to be taped but M.2 doesn't use the same configuration. Any expert advice?
     
  2. phamhlam

    phamhlam Notebook Evangelist

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    From the looks of it, I think I can get away with using the WWAN slot as that slot is also used for M.2 SSD. I would just need to reroute the antenna cable.


    L440 HMM
     
  3. Tirilwen

    Tirilwen Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm probably not understanding your point fully, but isn't directly replacing the 7260-N card the optimal and straightforward solution?

    I just installed a 7260-AC card a few days ago on my E520. I had a get a modified bios though; that is one difficulty you may encounter. Hopefully L440 doesn't require one as it's the same generation cards.
     
  4. phamhlam

    phamhlam Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes, I would like to replace the 7260BN card but I don't want to mod my bios and their isn't a bios mod for it yet. I would hope that Lenovo allows me to use a card that it even has drivers for in my L440 but I am afraid that it won't have an accepted Product ID. My other point is that it appears the BIOS doesn't check the WWAN slot so it would be okay to install it there without having my Thinkpad giving me an error and I would be able to use it that way.