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    adding bluetooth after? (thinkpad)

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by sam11, Aug 2, 2008.

  1. sam11

    sam11 Notebook Enthusiast

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    If bluetooth is not availalbe as an integrated option, can it be added later in some way (to "connect" a wireless printer)?
     
    sam11, Aug 2, 2008
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  2. daphatgrant

    daphatgrant Notebook Guru

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    Short answer yes but finding a card to install is twice as hard as actually installing one and getting one installed is no simple task ;).
     
    daphatgrant, Aug 2, 2008
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  3. Lew

    Lew Notebook Deity

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    I'm curious why you say that when a search on 39T0497 seems to show the card is readily available. What am I missing?

    Installation difficulty looks moderate; not for the neophyte though. Info here.

    With that said I've not done this on a T61. I have added bluetooth to a Compaq V2000 series and that's pretty much full disassembly.
     
    Lew, Aug 2, 2008
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  4. Bashar

    Bashar Notebook Evangelist

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    just use a flash bluetooth if its not available easier IMO
     
    Bashar, Aug 2, 2008
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  5. Lew

    Lew Notebook Deity

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    I respectfully disagree. I use bluetooth regularly with my blackberry (sync) and more recently with a BT mouse. I love not having to mess with a BT dongle.

    If you're usually stationary, then it probably doesn't matter -- but I find it's much more convenient to have BT internal. And while there are very small external BT adapters, they still consume a USB port.

    -- Lew
     
    Lew, Aug 2, 2008
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  6. Bashar

    Bashar Notebook Evangelist

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    there is always a USB hub :)
     
    Bashar, Aug 2, 2008
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  7. LaptopGun

    LaptopGun Notebook Evangelist

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    I spoke with a sales person about this while talking about something else. The representative told me they are "all out" of bluetooth models for the T61's and doubts they themselves will get em back. She said just go an external one as she didnt know even if I could buy the internal card later for it. She did say "most" of the wires for the antena would still be in there if that helps anyone in the "do it yourself" crowd.
     
    LaptopGun, Aug 2, 2008
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  8. Lew

    Lew Notebook Deity

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    Oh, great, somethe else to dig around for in your laptop bag! :D
     
    Lew, Aug 2, 2008
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  9. sam11

    sam11 Notebook Enthusiast

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    same for x61s i guess- no more blutooth - down to bare bones what's left in stock... thanks for replies. I'll have gadgets out of every orifice, as it were.
     
    sam11, Aug 2, 2008
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  10. Sean S

    Sean S Notebook Consultant

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    on the t60, the bluetooth wire is built into the main lcd wires and is absent if you didn't order it from the factory. you have to change the main wire strip as well. not sure about the t61, but it's something to check into.
     
    Sean S, Aug 3, 2008
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  11. stewie

    stewie What the deuce?

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    stewie, Aug 3, 2008
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  12. illini71

    illini71 Notebook Consultant

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    That would work for me.
     
    illini71, Aug 3, 2008
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  13. meekus

    meekus Notebook Consultant

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    AFAIK the LCD flex cable itself is the same regardless if the T6x's got BT or not but the difference between BT and non-BT T6x's is that the BT module's surface mount connector is missing entirely from the LCD flex cable.

    The good news is that the BT module's surface mount connector can in fact be soldered onto the LCD flex cable. The bad news is that doing so is definitely not recommended for those that lack the requisite soldering skillz as one's got to solder the surface mount connector to mylar.
     
    meekus, Aug 3, 2008
    #13