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    T61 BIOS Blacklisting of WLAN and WWAN Cards

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Rambler, Dec 20, 2007.

  1. Rambler

    Rambler Notebook Consultant

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    Hi,

    Ive got a question in regard to the blacklisting of aftermarket WLAN and WWAN cards.

    Ive heard that the BIOS will not allow the laptop to boot upon the detection of certain mini pcie cards that are not in its allowed whitelist.

    Im looking at adding the following cards and would like to know if they will work.

    - Intel 4965AGNMM1WB WLAN card, and

    - Sierra Wireless MC8780 WWAN card

    The MC8780 is the successor to the MC8775 card which is know to work with the T61 so I dont know if this will be whitelisted yet.

    Thanks
     
    Rambler, Dec 20, 2007
    #1
  2. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hey Rambler,

    I have the Sierra Wireless Verizon EVDO Rev A. Card. You are right about the bios checks. Before I got this, I bought a dell evdo card off of ebay. My machine would not boot.
     
    Renee, Dec 21, 2007
    #2
  3. Rambler

    Rambler Notebook Consultant

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    I take it you bought the sierra wireless card from lenovo?
     
    Rambler, Dec 21, 2007
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  4. skint80

    skint80 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Not sure if it helps, but the T61's can be configured with 4965's.. I have one in my laptop.
     
    skint80, Dec 21, 2007
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  5. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yes, Rambler, I made sure to buy it from lenovo.

    If I could clarify how the card # looks. To windows, all devices have a VEN number that describes the device to plug and play. A primary function is to load a driver for that device type.

    Dell, HP and Lenovo, have the bios looking for allowed VEN numbers for all wireless cards. The thing is .... they use their OWN VEN number for their own drivers and have their own bios code. SO they have you unless you want to alter the bios code yourself.

    I would make absolutely certain to order a card from lenovo because that's going to be the only way to be certain that your machine will boot. There is no negotiating with the bios. It tell you, "Remove the card and reboot".
     
    Renee, Dec 21, 2007
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  6. Rambler

    Rambler Notebook Consultant

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    In Aus we dont have the ability to configure purchases and have to buy standard issue T61's.

    Mine came with a 3945ABG card and Im looking at buying a 4965AGN card. Local retailers sell them cheaper than IBM but theres the risk that it wont work with the BIOS.

    I think I'll just have to shell out a bit extra as insurance of the cards working.
     
    Rambler, Dec 21, 2007
    #6