Wireless PC Card for an IBMThinkPad T42

[Charles]

Any suggestions on wireless card for a Thinkpad T42? Just got this for my nephew and it needs a card since it's not integrated. I know Linksys has the 54G or 54GS. Any others?

Thanks.

[Masaki 7-11]

I would take a look on something like ebay for a Thinkpad T42 minipci wifi card. Minipci cards are the ones which are considered integrated, and are very easy to install if the laptop does not come with a wifi card. I installed a intel minipci wifi card in a HP NC6000 recently and the reception with it was better than my USB Linksys adapter.

[cmichael258]

I thought the T42 came with an Intel 2200BG wireless card. Is yours missing or not working?

[glc]

If you really do need a PC Card, this one is hard to beat for the price:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156140

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by glc If you really do need a PC Card, this one is hard to beat for the price: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156140

I've read that many people have had problems with Trendnet products, a mini pci card isn't very expensive and provides better reception with a higher quality part.

Mini pci cards are really easy to install on laptops, the antennas for the wifi are already there, so there is very little work to do. All you have to do is open the panel to the mini pci slot, insert the card to the slot, connect the two antennas to the card (the two antennas are usually taped to the pcb near the mini pci slot). Installing a mini pci card will also make the laptop show up as intel centrino which usually lets you access buttons to turn on and off the wireless as well as increase the resale value of the laptop.

[glc]

I have yet to have a problem with a Trendnet product. It's the only cheap offbrand that I recommend. I have one of that exact card which I use for a spare and a bench card.

[Charles]

I see now I can use a pcmini card.

Thanks all.

[Charles]

I tell you I am impressed with IBM's maintenance manuals detail.

Here are the Mini PCI options for this T42.

Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI Adapter or
Intel PRO Wireless 2200BG Mini-PCI Adapter
Cisco Aironet Wireless 802.11b
ThinkPad Dual-Band 11a/b Wi-Fi Wireless Mini PCI Adapter
ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter
ThinkPad 11b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter

Seems like the Intel PRO Wireless 2200BG Mini-PCI Adapter is the one to go with.

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by cmichael258 I thought the T42 came with an Intel 2200BG wireless card. Is yours missing or not working?

Not all configurations came with that card, and a few didn't come with any.

[Charles]

Intel PRO Wireless 2200BG Mini-PCI Adapter

Ordered this one above from a reputable seller on ebay.

[thefultonhow]

The install should be pretty easy -- the antenna connectors are right underneath the door for the Mini-PCI slot.

[Panama Red]

I realize Charles has opted for the minipci card but I just wanted to add a comment about Trendnet. Like glc, it is my brand of choice for cost conscious customers (say that 3 times fast!). I've used Trendnet routers, both wired and wireless, switches, pcmcia wireless cards and kvm's without a single issue. Only complaint I've ever had has to do with their rebates. They are the only company I've dealt with on rebates that has denied the rebate claiming I didn't send in the proper bar code - and the bc label was taped to the rebate form! This happened twice.