new x200 without a wireless adapter - is it possible?

My new x200 just arrived, but there are some issues,

It's been produced on 2009.06.09 in china,
the security seal was broken, but the laptop seemed new,
I booted up the TP , "start windows normally"! appeared,
the battery was almost dead, but the recharging cycles was zero,
later on, it went through, lenovo and vista setup for the first use as it appears for new laptops!
the most strange thing: the system doesn't detect a network adapter, and nothing has been listed in device manager,

I bought it in Holland, what do you think I should do?

by the way type-model is 7459 z7n and the serial number is XXXXXX.

If the wireless is indeed missing (the description was wireless upgradable) what wireless card do you think I should buy and what is compatible?

 

I would call the place you got it from. It looks like it should have a wireless card.

Lenovo ThinkPad X200 7459 Specs (Core 2 Duo P8600 2.4 GHz, 12.1" TFT) - Laptops - CNET Reviews

 

The battery wasn't charged on any of my laptops when they came in.

Did you try installing (latest) WiFi drivers?

 

I checked the system config. and it's as follows,

Product: ThinkPad X200 7459-Z7N [change]

Operating system: All [change]

Original description: Based on 7459-CTO: P8600(2.4GHz), 2GB RAM, 160GB 5400rpm HD, 12.1in 1280x800 LCD, Intel 4500MHD, Wireless upgradeable, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, Secure chip, 9c Li-Ion, WinVista Business 32


I thought Wireless upgradable means it has a thinkpad bgn at least,

The system doesn't detect any wifi adapters, How can I install the newest driver? I don't even know the model of the adapter, if there's anything at all.

 

Are there any panels on the bottom of the laptop? Check to see if the card is there. It may also be on the motherboard. Maybe the manufacturer's website sells the specific adapter for your laptop. Look to see if a drivers disc came with it. The manufacturers website should have drivers.

 

I'm so pissed, The factory seal was also broken. should I return the laptop? How can I prove that the seal was broken!?

 

It could have been opened up during shipping. I have had items from Amazon that were supposed to be new sent with the seal broken. I sent it back refund but it wasn't a computer. To start, call the place where you got it and explain to them that the wireless card is missing. They may opt to send you one.

 

It looks like it was configured not to have wireless. Wireless upgradeable vs Wireless broadband upgradeable, that seems confusing?

 

Quite confusing,

"It looks like it was configured not to have wireless."

What does it mean? can it be solved by adding a wireless adapter?

 

Look on the bottom for a removable panel and see where the wireless card goes. If you find one you should be able to add one. Routing the Antennas may be more difficult.

 

just wondering, did you turn on the switch?

theres a hard switch on the left side of the laptop. when you switch it on, the green sticker should be showing.

if it is on already, then try the software switch by pressing fn+f5

 

wireless switch is already there, but I switch it on, nothing changes

 

I'm not gonna return the laptop just because the seal was broken,
it has been turned on once and then shut down immediately, that's also fine with me, since it's been shipped from Denmark to Holland!

I only need to get a wireless adapter, I don't think intel 6300 is compatible with X200, do you have any suggestions fellas?

 

Try this thread.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/len...m-whitch-wlan-card-best-my-x200-notebook.html

 

The wireless card slot will be under the keyboard. Only four screws(one underneath where the battery goes) to remove it. It looks to me like this system doesn't have a wifi card at all; most likely from a corporate order where they don't want wireless in their systems for security reasons, that would be my guess.

Your best bets would be the Intel 5100 or 5300, although they have to be specifically for a ThinkPad. Using a non-Lenovo card will result in a boot error, unfortunately.

 

Thank you guys, even though I'm too hesitant to even touch my new thinkpad, it seems there's no other way, by the way it's the first time, that I have to do this, I'm a bit scared , I guess this link will help

Lenovo Support & downloads - Hardware removal and installation index - ThinkPad X200, X200s, X200si, X201, X201i, X201s

How can I know the card is suitable for thinkpad, using FRU ?

 

When installing the card, take your time and be methodical. Watch the video a few times. If by chance the card doesn't fit or work, exchange it.

 

Can I use intel 6300 instead? new 5300 is hard to find,

Thank you all Guys, I'll keep you updated if I hopefully install the wireless adapter.

 

You would definitely be better off searching by the FRU, yes... since it'd be a Lenovo part it would definitely work.

Installing the wireless card is quite easy, as long as you take the right precautions. Make sure you unplug and remove the battery, first. I always punch the power button a few times to make sure any capacitors on the motherboard are discharged, but this isn't a critical step(I'm just paranoid). Also, make sure you ground yourself by touching a large, bare metal object(table, etc) before you start work and at several stages while you're working.

The keyboard can be removed with four screws, one which is accessed when the battery is pulled out. Each is marked with a keyboard symbol. Once all four are removed, push up towards the display, pull up, and remove the keyboard cable from the motherboard.

There will usually be two screws hanging out in the wireless card slot. Remove those. Take your card and push it in; it'll stay at an upward angle. I usually put the screws directly into the screwholes on the card and gently push down. Then you screw it in, install the antennas, put the keyboard back on, install battery/power adapter, and there you go!

Edit: I don't know if you can use the Intel 6300 on this system. I'm unsure if the BIOS whitelist will allow it on an X200. You can try, but you'd be on your own in terms of compatibility.

 

you can't use the 6300/6200 card in the X200 without a modded bios.

If you have a X200 with Integrated Camera, then there will only be two wireless antennas for your wifi card, in which case then you should just get the intel 5100.

If you can't find the Intel 5100/5300 card then try marketplace on forum.thinkpads.com (post a want to buy if you have to).

 

@LegendaryKA8 ,Skye2, Lead_org, god breath

Thanks a lot guys,

Still looking for a wireless card

 

Try this eBay auction?
At least you have an FRU now: 43Y6495.

 

nice , just they don't ship to the Netherlands.

I'm gonna search only using this FRU!

 

It looks like they do; at least in the auction listing they say they ship to Europe. Hmmm.

 

Intel Wifi Link 5300 Wlan Karte Notebook (43Y6495) - eBay, MiniPCI-Karten, PCMCIA Cards Controller, Notebookzubehör, Computer. (Eindtijd 03-nov-10 13:29:10 CET) this link is from our closest friends in Germany, but no mention of x200 or thinkpad or even lenovo , lol


http://cgi.ebay.nl/Intel-Wifi-5300-Wireless-wifi-Card-For-4-IBM-43Y6495-/220682967747?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3361badac3#ht_1683wt_905 also this one sounds interesting pricewise,

(you're right, they ship to EU. )

 

Hm... my German is fairly rusty but that looks like the same card in both auctions. One is in Germany(which I assume won't take too long to get to you), and the other is in Hong Kong(my experience is usually 2-3 weeks).

A strange thing about the German one(if I'm reading this right; I am fairly rusty) is that they send you an email after purchasing it telling you how to pay and provide your shipping information to them. Strange. Also, it's not 100% certain this is a Lenovo card, even though they do have the FRU.

If you don't mind waiting for it to ship the card from Hong Kong would be the better bet and with the USD being kinda weak a far better bargain at 18 Euro versus 34 Euro.

 

Thanks for recommendation,
I ordered from Hong Kong with some screwdrivers, lol

 

Hmmm...

It makes no sense for a company/vendor to sell a road warrior type notebook without a wireless card.

Just for that, put a modified BIOS on your laptop and use whichever wireless card you prefer.

 

that really depends on the company that purchase the laptop, there are some company that prevents user to have wireless features on their laptop, to ensure that there is no unauthorized eavesdropping or hacking into a secure wired network. While, others may not need a wireless card and other parts in order to keep the base price of their machines down. The latter is more common.

 

I noticed the first card did not have the FRU printed on the card, which means it's not a ThinkPad card and likely will not work without a BIOS hack. Generics of the same of the same card don't work in ThinkPads as Lenovo likes to whitelist cards. Cards not in the BIOS don't work. If you want plug and play, I'd go with the second one, which has the FRU.

 

The other parts I can understand, it just seems to me wireless is THE most important feature. Of course that is just based on my selfish needs, not looking at the big picture as you describe of instances where WIFI is a hindrance or security breach.

 

Keep us posted.

 

"Wireless upgradeable" imo means there is no wireless included.

If there were wireless, it would say which one. Technically there is no "base model" because some people prefer the cheapest or oldest wireless card for various reasons. It would say which it was, if there was one.

 

I received the wireless card and installed it, works fine. Thank you all for your help,

By the way I noticed some fingerprints on the inner side of the palm rest, does it sometimes happen?! ,They were quite big and noticeable, lol