IBM thinkpad wireless lan question

Apr 16, 2005 5 Replies

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Tracy 21 years ago

Hi, I have an IBM thinkpad R40 Celeron (model# 2681 CTO) that I want to add to my home wireless network. It's wireless upgradable ready (the antenna wires are already installed and there is a mini pci slot) I've been looking at the IBM 31P9107 as it supports 802.11a/b/g. In trying to determine weather this card is compatable with my system I found the following information on the IBM USA site:

On this page,

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information shows a compatability with the ThinkPad R40 Celeron and P4

2681.

but on this page,

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list of compatable laptops does not include the ThinkPad R40 Celeron and P4 2681.

Anyone know which is true? Thanks, Tracy

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Jerry Park 21 years ago

I am not at all familiar with thinkpads, but any mini-pci wireless card should fit into and work in any mini-pci slot on any system.

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Jerry Park 21 years ago

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Let me correct my previous post. I think I read somewhere that IBM thinkpads have some BIOS or something which prevent use of devices other than those approved by IBM. That may be the case?

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Jeff Liebermann 21 years ago

Dunno. Thinkpad and wireless are potentially a mess, where a substantial number of mini-PCI cards simply do not work with the IBM drivers. (They may work with the Intel, Broadcom, or vendor drivers). See:

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part of the horror story. Unfortunately, the above URL does not include anything on the R40.

I can't find the 31P9107 in any of my IBM references. However, the

31P9701 is a valid number. This URL sorta hints that it will work with the R40.

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It's also the same as the 91P7301 which probably (not sure) works with the R40. Both are available on eBay for $40-$50.

Do your really need the 802.11a capeability? If not, the selection of

802.11b/g cards is much better.

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Tracy 21 years ago

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>>> the list of compatable laptops does not include the ThinkPad R40 Celeron

Thanks Jerry, I'll look into the BIOS and see if I can get some clues... An IBM card is (obviously) going to be more expensive because of the name but I want to make sure that I get something that works...

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Tracy 21 years ago

It was the 31P9701 I was origionally looking at (I just fat fingered the 7 in there somehow...) I have been looking at the 2200bg cards since I origionaly posted and your right, I doubt that I will need .11a. Added with the fact that b/g caeds are about half the price I'll probably go that route. I just hate to spend a dollar before I know that it's going to work

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