Where are the WWAN cables?

I bought a WWAN card and was going to try it out so I opened my t61p only to find that there were no visible antenna cables anywhere. My model is a 6459 and when I read the mechanical drawings it shows that the 6459 has all antennas installed?

Watching the TV installation, the cables were just "right there" waiting for the card..... It wasn't like that in my system ...at all.

 

The WWAN antenna is built into the unit - not sure if that is something that can be upgraded.

 

I was under the impression that the WWAN version had a different screen bezel with the WWAN bulge and additional wires. You are talking about WWAN (cellular) not WUSB / UWB, right? I think you will have to buy the wires separately from Parts. Not sure that the process is to get the antenna. You may be better off getting an ExpressCard WWAN card.

 

I am speaking of celluar and want to use the Sierra Mini-pci express card.

It looks to me as if

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-68233

In these drawing that the antennas are one unit for the 6459.

It also looks to me as if there is only one bezel?

 

Renee if you look at the 3 letters after type not all the machines have WWAN wires installed it appears.

 

Hi Phil,

Mine is CTO...

I ran this through the order configuration, when you are buying a machine.
It is a 6459-CTO whether it has WWAN or not.


What I am concerned about is the bezel - if there is a different one, there is no different parts number. Can anyone confirm that there is a bulgy bezel vs non-bulgy bezel.

 

Hmm I can't confirm that since I didn't order it with WWAN installed. Anybody else got WWAN?

 

I believe your computer's cable assembly consists of FRU 93P4519 - this does not include WAn antennas.

Models with the WAN antenna require cable kit FRU 93P4516. You can see how there are two options under item #3

I am pretty sure you're going to also need to change the cable kit to install the WAN card....

(A similar issue exists when trying to upgrade a non-bluetooth thinkpad to one with bluetooth. You have to replace the main LCD cable to do that.)

The TV installation videos are usually for REPLACING a damaged part, not upgrading a computer to a part that it doesn't have.

hope this helps - but double check to be sure

 

I have the T61p with Verizon WWAN and the bezel looks the same as non-WWAN units. But, I would call Lenovo service and get the final word on it.

 

FRU 93P4516 is a cheap part $54.00 ON THINKPAD parts, but I would confirm with service as well. I can tell you I don't have the antennaes.

 

Here is what I just ordered....

Wireless LAN/WAN antenna assembly 93P4516
Clear Plate Kit 42W3658
Wireless WAN shield kit 42X4332
Sierra Wireless card 42T0929



cost $389.86

 

Sean,

I wanted to thank you for your input.

"I am pretty sure you're going to also need to change the cable kit to install the WAN card...."

Exactly what does this entail?

 

I'm not positive, but, well - I think you're going to have to install a few more antennas that come with the new cable kit you ordered.

I don't have a t61, I have a t60 - so I'm going off of that - But I think your current LCD bezel has some blank covers on it. the new antennas will replace these bezels.

What you'll have to do is remove the LCD assembly from the chassis, remove the bezel, pop the LCD screen off, route the wires as shown in the master service manual (at least they show it in my t60's manual). My t60 manual is very detailed as far as the routing, down to where to place tape to hold it in place.

Then you'll have to close everything back up and route the new antenna cables from one of the hinges into the chassis, around the fan assembly, and to the WWAN card.

Hope the project goes well My recommendation to you is to find another t61 owner that's willing to take apart their computer so you have some good reference to go off of.

good luck

 

Renee,

I went through this exercise when I installed the WUSB in my 6459CTO. I recommed that you buy the screw kit which comes with about 300 different screws and the little square and round plastic bezel screws covers. Also, I read to replace any screws with new ones, especially the nylon version to ensure they don't come loose later on. I had ordered: 41W4504 Screw assortment $8.00...well worth it.

 

Goodness,

IBM and not lenovo got the parts here in less than one day! There are lots of them! It's almost a t61 P kit.

Like anyone else... I'm afraid. This is sort of complex. I hope I can do this.

 

Renee, what link did you use for ordering parts? When I use the one off the Lenovo support site, 90% of the FRU part numbers I enter come back with "Sorry..."... I tried the 4 you listed above and I think it only took 1 of them. Curious, as the site I have a link to (IBM Parts -- Retail) used to work fine, and the Lenovo site sends me there too.

 

I didn't use a link. Those links do not have the part numbers. I called customer service I think and asked for parts. You have to have the numbers right there. They don't know the answers to technical questions at all. They just take parts number. If you have technical or configuration questions, you have to make a warranty call to technical staff who answer the question and you end up with the numbers you need to talk to the numbers people.

 

you'll be fine, just make sure you have the master repair manual (available voa PDF somewhere around here) and it should guide you step by step as to how to do it...

and remember, if it doesn't feel like it should go there, it probably doesn't

if the parts didn't come with a sheet of tape, you will need to have some good quality scotch tape to route the wires

 

Hunts4.....

That was excellent advice. After doing that. I would have recommended exactly the same.

Also Sean, you do not have to pop the LCD off or out. In the T61, you simly remove the top cover it's all right there. You were quiet correct about routing the cables.

I never want to do this again.

Now I have to go find a driver for this new card.