T42 wireless

bwell08 · 06-07-2008, 08:49 AM

picked up a used IBM T42. Everything seems to work except wireless is very weak. Drops signal and reconnects while trying to read websites. wireless Icon indicates a very slow 11 mbps. My Dell M140 reads 54 mbps. and holds signal far better. Should I consider changeing wireless card and is it possible for a non techy person? thanks

**TriggerFinger** · 06-07-2008, 09:00 AM

hi,

the data rate 11Mbps is depending on the Wireless card. if you have an 802.11b then then it is working as designed if data rate is showing 11Mbps. See SUMMARY in this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11

if you want to do a replacement, get hold of the hardware maintenance manual from IBM/Lenovo website for your model of T42. this will guide you in doing the removal and replacement.

the issue you will have (IMO) is that IBM BIOS does not accept just 'any' card. i read somewhere that it only accepts certain WiFi cards. if your replacement card is NOT on the accepted list, you may get an 1802 error or Unauthorized network card error.

bwell08 · 06-07-2008, 09:14 AM

Thankyou for for the quick responce. Where can I find a source the could provide the proper card?

**TriggerFinger** · 06-07-2008, 09:17 AM

search using IBM part number used in your card (check also in maintenance manual of your thinkpad). search on online stores or try eBay.

bwell08 · 06-07-2008, 09:19 AM

thanks again. will try.

bwell08 · 06-07-2008, 10:27 AM

message to Triggerfinger. While I seem able to find repalcement cards it's unclear to me if there's a faster replacement card.

**TriggerFinger** · 06-07-2008, 10:55 AM

there are cards with a higher data rate capability (802.11g - see the link i posted previously)... i think an 802.11g has 54Mbps like your DELL M140. what i am not sure is, if the T42 will accept these cards without errors (Unauthorized network card error).

bwell08 · 06-07-2008, 11:05 AM

Thanks. I guess that's what I'm looking for is a IBM compatable mini card that will fit and upgrade me to 802.11g.

06-07-2008, 08:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
bwell08 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5 OS: xp sp2	T42 wireless picked up a used IBM T42. Everything seems to work except wireless is very weak. Drops signal and reconnects while trying to read websites. wireless Icon indicates a very slow 11 mbps. My Dell M140 reads 54 mbps. and holds signal far better. Should I consider changeing wireless card and is it possible for a non techy person? thanks

06-07-2008, 09:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LV, NV, USA Posts: 5,336 OS: DOS 6.0	Re: T42 wireless hi, the data rate 11Mbps is depending on the Wireless card. if you have an 802.11b then then it is working as designed if data rate is showing 11Mbps. See SUMMARY in this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11 if you want to do a replacement, get hold of the hardware maintenance manual from IBM/Lenovo website for your model of T42. this will guide you in doing the removal and replacement. the issue you will have (IMO) is that IBM BIOS does not accept just 'any' card. i read somewhere that it only accepts certain WiFi cards. if your replacement card is NOT on the accepted list, you may get an 1802 error or Unauthorized network card error. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Everest Mark the THREAD as SOLVED

06-07-2008, 09:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
bwell08 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5 OS: xp sp2	Re: T42 wireless Thankyou for for the quick responce. Where can I find a source the could provide the proper card?

06-07-2008, 09:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LV, NV, USA Posts: 5,336 OS: DOS 6.0	Re: T42 wireless search using IBM part number used in your card (check also in maintenance manual of your thinkpad). search on online stores or try eBay. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Everest Mark the THREAD as SOLVED

06-07-2008, 09:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
bwell08 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5 OS: xp sp2	Re: T42 wireless thanks again. will try.

06-07-2008, 10:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
bwell08 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5 OS: xp sp2	Re: T42 wireless message to Triggerfinger. While I seem able to find repalcement cards it's unclear to me if there's a faster replacement card.

06-07-2008, 10:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LV, NV, USA Posts: 5,336 OS: DOS 6.0	Re: T42 wireless there are cards with a higher data rate capability (802.11g - see the link i posted previously)... i think an 802.11g has 54Mbps like your DELL M140. what i am not sure is, if the T42 will accept these cards without errors (Unauthorized network card error). __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Everest Mark the THREAD as SOLVED

06-07-2008, 11:05 AM	#8 (permalink)
bwell08 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5 OS: xp sp2	Re: T42 wireless Thanks. I guess that's what I'm looking for is a IBM compatable mini card that will fit and upgrade me to 802.11g.