Can I remove the 802.11b mini-pci card in a A31, which uses the built-in 
antenna, and replace it with an 802.11g card, and still use the same 
built-in antenna (even though it's a different frequency)?  I understand I'd 
be giving up the internal modem, which is on this card also, I don't see any 
problem with that.

Thanks.

Chip

On Sat, 16 Dec 2006 12:57:08 -0500, "Chip and Allie Orange"
<acorange@comcast.net> wrote in
<tdWdnWHxS9ArrhnYnZ2dnUVZ_rOqnZ2d@comcast.com>:

>Can I remove the 802.11b mini-pci card in a A31, which uses the built-in 
>antenna, and replace it with an 802.11g card, and still use the same 
>built-in antenna (even though it's a different frequency)?  I understand I'd 
>be giving up the internal modem, which is on this card also, I don't see any 
>problem with that.

The issue in many machines is that the BIOS won't boot if it detects a
"foreign" Mini PCI Wi-Fi card.  Use Google to check for that possible
problem and any possible work-arounds.

-- 
Best regards,
John Navas      <http://navasgroup.com/>

"John Navas" <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote in message 
news:ep3go2htdio3o5lu7777f12eq8m2b7jeeg@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 16 Dec 2006 12:57:08 -0500, "Chip and Allie Orange"
> <acorange@comcast.net> wrote in
> <tdWdnWHxS9ArrhnYnZ2dnUVZ_rOqnZ2d@comcast.com>:
>
>>Can I remove the 802.11b mini-pci card in a A31, which uses the built-in
>>antenna, and replace it with an 802.11g card, and still use the same
>>built-in antenna (even though it's a different frequency)?  I understand 
>>I'd
>>be giving up the internal modem, which is on this card also, I don't see 
>>any
>>problem with that.
>
> The issue in many machines is that the BIOS won't boot if it detects a
> "foreign" Mini PCI Wi-Fi card.  Use Google to check for that possible
> problem and any possible work-arounds.
>
> -- 
> Best regards,
> John Navas      <http://navasgroup.com/>

I am having some boot problem, but looking on Google didn't turn up anything 
helpful.

I'm getting an error that there are two ethernet adapters, and I should 
remove one (with the newer 11g mini-pci).

Is this how the BIOS reacts to a "foreign" mini-pci wifi card?  Is there 
anything I should do other than giving the thinkpad the new drivers?

(btw, I've been told that IBM didn't introduce this check until models built 
after the A series).

Thanks for any help.

Chip

On Tue, 26 Dec 2006 21:01:54 -0500, "Chip and Allie Orange"
<acorange@comcast.net> wrote in
<cr6dnUB7wb21SQzYnZ2dnUVZ_r2onZ2d@comcast.com>:

>"John Navas" <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote in message 
>news:ep3go2htdio3o5lu7777f12eq8m2b7jeeg@4ax.com...

>> The issue in many machines is that the BIOS won't boot if it detects a
>> "foreign" Mini PCI Wi-Fi card.  Use Google to check for that possible
>> problem and any possible work-arounds.

>I am having some boot problem, but looking on Google didn't turn up anything 
>helpful.
>
>I'm getting an error that there are two ethernet adapters, and I should 
>remove one (with the newer 11g mini-pci).
>
>Is this how the BIOS reacts to a "foreign" mini-pci wifi card?

Yep.

>Is there 
>anything I should do other than giving the thinkpad the new drivers?

The only real solutions I know of are (a) patch the BIOS; (b) patch the
CMOS; or (c) remove the card.

>(btw, I've been told that IBM didn't introduce this check until models built 
>after the A series).

I suggest Googling for patches for other ThinkPads that you may be able
to adapt to your machine.

-- 
Best regards,
John Navas

"John Navas" <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote in message 
news:jea6p2debhohjm9ujl4i5rqb0mif0deu06@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 26 Dec 2006 21:01:54 -0500, "Chip and Allie Orange"
> <acorange@comcast.net> wrote in
> <cr6dnUB7wb21SQzYnZ2dnUVZ_r2onZ2d@comcast.com>:
>
>>"John Navas" <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote in message
>>news:ep3go2htdio3o5lu7777f12eq8m2b7jeeg@4ax.com...
>
>>> The issue in many machines is that the BIOS won't boot if it detects a
>>> "foreign" Mini PCI Wi-Fi card.  Use Google to check for that possible
>>> problem and any possible work-arounds.
>
>>I am having some boot problem, but looking on Google didn't turn up 
>>anything
>>helpful.
>>
>>I'm getting an error that there are two ethernet adapters, and I should
>>remove one (with the newer 11g mini-pci).
>>
>>Is this how the BIOS reacts to a "foreign" mini-pci wifi card?
>
> Yep.
>
>>Is there
>>anything I should do other than giving the thinkpad the new drivers?
>
> The only real solutions I know of are (a) patch the BIOS; (b) patch the
> CMOS; or (c) remove the card.
>
>>(btw, I've been told that IBM didn't introduce this check until models 
>>built
>>after the A series).
>
> I suggest Googling for patches for other ThinkPads that you may be able
> to adapt to your machine.
>
> -- 
> Best regards,
> John Navas

Thanks John.

It turns out this is a similar, but not exactly the same, problem of the 
"not approved here wifi card" that I was remembering.

This was a 01c9 error, caused by an Atheros chipset on an Anatel card, sold 
under the IBM brand.  This chipset identifies the card's class id as 
"ethernet" instead of "other" (which evidently is the usual).  The **^&%^$% 
bios won't allow the wired ethernet card and any other card identifying 
itself as ethernet to exist together (although this can be a legit 
configuration, so no such test is warranted imho).

You're right in the list of solutions however; patch the card and/or the 
bios (according to an article written by someone else about this chipset and 
thinkpads).

Chip