ThinkPad Antenna for Bluetooth

Does anyone know whether the so-called UltraConnect antenna that comes on thinkpads (eg. T-60 and Z-series) is the one that works for bluetooth??

If i get a thinkpad without bluetooth, i want to be able to add bluetooth.
The service manual on page 101 explains how can be done ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/41w3225.pdf

There is no mention in the manual about a bluetooth-specific antenna; just the ultraconnect & wan antennas.

So is the ultra connect antenna used for bluetooth?

 

In my Z61t's help files, it says that the BT antenna is this little rectangle on the back of the notebook lid, in the corner near the left hinge (from an open and in-use perspective).

There actually is a little "patch" there. It is very slightly recessed; it looks more like a black plastic label with no text on it more than anything else. (Ironically, I have the little rectangle, but no bluetooth becuase they forgot to include the modem/bt module on mine...)

 

Hmm... but your model is supposed to have bluetooth? (does it have the bluetooth LED?)

What i'm wondering is, whether a z61t model that doesn't come with bluetooth (eg. 9442E6U) nevertheless has the bluetooth antenna??? (so in effect it's bluetooth-ready)

 

Hi,

I have recently added bluetooth to my T60, and all it took to do was to order bluetooth module (a small rectangle, like bdonkey said) and also LCD assembly cable (if you have a bluetoothless laptop then the lcd cable does not have a connector to bluetooth module). It DOESN''T have a bluetooth light on lcd panel but nevertheless it works fine.

Hope that helps

 

So how easy was it to install, and how much did you pay for it?

 

I don't know if mine has the antenna; when they ship it back, I'll try to tell you whether it looks any different or not and take pics.

Mine did not have the BT light since the model I ordered does not actually have BT, but it was advertised on their site as having BT. I assume they'll install that for me too. If not, heads will roll.

So far, I'm pretty pleased that they offered to ship it back and forth to install it, rather than telling me that I'm SOL like many manufacturers would.

 

i googled the bluetooth daughter card for $30 to $150... but i dont know if the panel has the antenna built-in. You won't have the LCD but who cares.

I have a T41 that shipped with built-in bluetooth, and i dont see that rectangular antenna thingy on it.

 

I have ordered cable and bluetooth module (which is by the way also antenna) directly from lenovo website, and I have paid ~$70 for both and a shipping.

Your first question - well, yes and no . All the process is described in lenovo manual avaiable on website, and this is basically step-by-step. But the particular steps are not that easy - you have to pretty much disassemble whole display, and this requires both strenght and precision. But it's definitely doable, and I was able to assemble the unit without any parts left

Good luck!

 

Haha very nice. I really wish my Z61t had bluetooth so I could get rid of this USB mouse receiver sticking out from my computer. Any idea if this voids the warranty?

 

That was exactly the reason why I wanted internal bluetooth - I hate dongles

To be honest I don't know whether such operation voids the warranty or not, but I doubt it - and even if so, if you'll be forced to have your machine warranty-fixed, you can always remove bluetooth and pretend that you didn't do anything

Of course there are always traces of unauthorised opening of machine, so I really hope it doesn't void the warrabty