Adding Internal WIFI to an IBM ThinkPad a31

In this project we added an internal wireless adapter to a Thinkpad a31. This is possible since it shares the chassis of the Thinkpad A31p which included internal wireless and bluetooth, at the time, cost about $1000 more. Due to a long story (see IBM's proprietary miniPCI), we had both Dell truemobile 1400 and an IBM OEM wirelss cards. Both were miniPCI cards supporting 802.11 a/b/g, and each had matching main and aux antenna connectors for diversity.

To make the previously mentioned long story short, only Dell's wireless card worked in the a31, and only the IBM card worked in the r40. Nice how that worked out in the end, since we were able to use both our cards, but a major headache figuring it all out.

So, in the end, this projects uses one:

IBM replacement a31 antenna system, PN #12345, orded from parts at (800) 123-4567

Although this may appear to be a guide, this project takes the life of your laptop into your own hands. You basically take the laptop into about 50 pieces, some of which are only held together by plastic snaps. you are responsible for your actions. Neither this author, this website, nor IBM are responsible for and damage caused by attempting what is described below. We strongly recommend you thoroughly study the service manual for this laptop, and use the information below only as supplemental information.

This is the IBM #12345 wireless antenna systen. There are two separate antenna leads and antennas for diversity operation.


The metal plates on the left are what a non-wireless sytem ships with. We will replace these dummy shims with the antennas.


The first thing we do is remove the keyboard bezel. There are several screws with the keyboard symbol by them that should be removed. Removing the battery often enables one to pop the keyboard off from the back.


Next one unplugs the monitor signal and power cables, and unscrews the lcd hing screws.


Next one snaps off the plastic bezel, or shroud. The bezel slides slightly forward towards the hinges, and can then be popped off. Be very careful to avoid bending the plasic ears.


Bezel removed


Now the lcd panel itself has been removed, and both antennas snapped into place. the wires were placed in the small slots in the side of the backing, and tape with black electricians tape.


Cloesup of antenna mount


This wire was routed slightly different than the manual suggested, but our thinkpad seemed to fit best this way.


the lcd frame has been reinstalled. notice how both wires exit at the same point, This is why the white wire had to be longer than the black wire.


Further adjustring was required to get akl wires tucked inside the bezel.



Re-installing
Now we reassemble the monitor bezel. The monitor signal leads and the 2 antena leads come out of a slots near the base.


the monitor cables are plugged, and the antenna leads are taped.


We needed to remove one of the bays to get the wires to cleanly go to the bottom side of the motherboard where the wifi card will be located.

Card installed, and antenna leads snapped into place.


Success! We installed the drivers, and it detected the card perfectly. We were then able to connect at 54mpbs to our linksys WRT54g station.

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