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    Replacing wireless card

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by exhortjump, Jul 10, 2009.

  1. exhortjump

    exhortjump Notebook Consultant

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    i would like to replace the wireless card in my T400. it has problems connecting to certain wireless networks with encryption. i could easily take out the card and put a new one in, but i've heard that lenovo prevents you from doing it via the bios. is this true?
     
    exhortjump, Jul 10, 2009
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  2. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    It is for cards that connect to telephones, but I doubt thats true for other communications devices.
     
    Renee, Jul 10, 2009
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  3. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Actually Lenovo does like to whitelist cards in the BIOS meaning it won't work without a BIOS hack if it's not on the list, even if it's a generic of the same card.
     
    ZaZ, Jul 10, 2009
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  4. LoneWolf15

    LoneWolf15 The Chairman

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    What kind of card is it?

    Sometimes, updating the drivers can help. You don't necessarily need to go through Lenovo; Intel has the latest drivers for their cards, as does Atheros and others. I've used the OEM drivers on many machines; they are often more up-to-date and can sometimes fix problems like this.

    P.S. You can also buy Lenovo-branded cards on Ebay fairly easily, to ensure you'll get one that does work (if replacement is still the route you wish to take).
     
    LoneWolf15, Jul 10, 2009
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  5. zephir

    zephir Notebook Deity

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    It's not as simple as that. You can't even go past the BIOS screen if you don't use a "Lenovo-certified" Wifi card.
     
    zephir, Jul 11, 2009
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  6. exhortjump

    exhortjump Notebook Consultant

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    do all pc manufacturers do this, or is it just lenovo?
     
    exhortjump, Jul 28, 2009
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  7. LoneWolf15

    LoneWolf15 The Chairman

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    Read my quote again:

    HP has done so as well in some systems.
     
    LoneWolf15, Jul 28, 2009
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  8. exhortjump

    exhortjump Notebook Consultant

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    ok, how can i do the bios hack option? is it legal? if not, then i won't do it, but if it is, there are a few things i would like to do that i can't because of stupid bios constraints, and it's not just part replacement either. i can't even run secure erase due to these bios locks ( http://cmrr.ucsd.edu/hughes/SecureErase.html ) do i just get a completely different version of the bios? how does it work? if i screw up, can i recover without having to send it in for service? (they likely will just say it's my fault and ignore me)
     
    exhortjump, Jul 29, 2009
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  9. jonlumpkin

    jonlumpkin NBR Transmogrifier

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    I'm not sure about unlocking it, but I'm really not sure if that's necessary.

    You can find inexpensive ThinkPad branded Intel WiFi 5300 on eBay (like this or this) and they don't require a whitelist option. I actually just put one in my x200 Tablet and it works fine.

    In addition, I have run HDD Erase using the enhanced secure erase several times on my x200 Tablet's Samsung SLC SSD. As long as you set SATA TO COMPATIBILITY (not AHCI), boot and run HDD Erase from pure DOS mode, and restart to clear the BIOS lock you should not have any trouble.
     
    jonlumpkin, Jul 29, 2009
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  10. exhortjump

    exhortjump Notebook Consultant

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    thanks for the info on secure erase and the cards. is there an option other than ebay though? i don't really trust ebay and would prefer to buy from an online retailer instead (any reputable one will do).

    meanwhile, if anybody has any information on whether it's legal to unlock the bios and how to do it if it is legal, please post :)
     
    exhortjump, Jul 31, 2009
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  11. jonlumpkin

    jonlumpkin NBR Transmogrifier

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    You CAN buy a ThinkPad Wi-Fi card from an online retailer but it will be expensive. Notable options include IBM, SpareParts warehouse, ThinkPad parts, Advanced Computer Service, and IBM Medic.


    Intel 5300 - FRU 43Y6495
    Intel 5100 - FRU 43Y6493

    However, a quick search shows the parts running between $110 and $150. If I were you I'd take my chances with eBay for $25 (I ordered one from that vendor in Hong Kong two weeks ago, it shipped promptly [about 1 week via Airmail] and works great).
     
    jonlumpkin, Jul 31, 2009
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