Lenovo ThinkPad T60

Michael · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 6:31 pm Post subject: Lenovo ThinkPad T60

This thread will be used to discuss the Lenovo ThinkPad T60 With Built-In EVDO and specific issues related to the ThinkPad T60 and how it works with EVDO. Other forums can be used to discuss coverage, service, etc.

For someone that has this, I am most interested to know how well it receives signal compared to a PC Card, AND if there are any external ports for EVDO antennas or signal amplifiers (I am guessing there is not).

If you just got one of these laptops, we can quickly activate your Embedded Verizon EVDO card for you.
_________________
EVDO :: EVDO News :: EVDO Antennas :: Buy Verizon :: Buy Sprint :: EVDO Amplifier

brihart

I have a Lenovo Z60t with the built in Verizon (Sierra) wireless card. It's activated and working fine.
We're implementing the Koolspan VPN secure edge device whih is also working well.
When I choose the 1xEVDO device for the Koolspan logon everything is good but in Network devices the 1xEVDO NIC doesnt connect although it is connecting with the National BroadbandAceess Modem.
How do I change the VZAccess to logon using the EVDO device as well as or instead of the Modem?

Thanks
_________________
Brian

NJRonbo · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 16

I am using Verizon EVDO service on my current Toshiba
notebook via a Kyrocera air card.

I just ordered a T60 and was delighted to learn that it had
Verizon EVDO built in.

Now my question...

I am unsure of my account information and even dial-out number
for my Verizon EVDO account. I filed that paperwork away somewhere.

Now I know that information was automatically entered when
I either installed the EVDO software or plugged in the air card to
the notebook. The information was already loaded.

Soooo...

How do I transfer my account information over to the T60?

Do I load the same software that Verizon gave me for my
other laptop?

Thanks in advance!

ammulder · EVDO Newbie Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 8

I have a T60p with embedded Verizon card (some kind of Sierra Wireless?). It works fine in Windows, but none of the Linux chat scripts I've found and tried have worked. They all return NO CARRIER to the ATDT#777 sequence. Any tips on getting this working under Linux would be much appreciated!

GliderMike · EVDO Newbie Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Posts: 1

Same here. I am unable to make it work either through pppd or wvdial. Just get NO CARRIER.

ammulder · EVDO Newbie Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 8

There was another thread with specific settings and config files for SuSE that worked for me.

The other critical process was to get the antenna enabled in the first place. I had to:

- boot to Windows
- connect to the Verizon service
- reboot without manually shutting down the connection
- boot to Linux
- switch off the wireless power switch
- switch on the wireless power switch

After that procedure, I was able to connect using the scripts provided in the other thread. However, sometimes if I reboot to Windows, the antenna gets disabled again, and I have to go through the process above again.

northadams · EVDO Newbie Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 1

Nice to have found this site. I am thinking of a T60 (or X60s). I spend about three weeks a month in Vermont where coverage can be spotty and was wondering if I should just go with a PC card rather than embedded? If embedded am I correct one cannot upgrade to that new Rev A coming out which may be faster? Thanks.

tiwula · EVDO Newbie Joined: 27 Jun 2006 Posts: 4

I have the T60 running FC6 with no dual boot option. The T60 has the Sierra Wireless card for Verizon. I previously had Verizon and had them change the ESN from my Kyocera KPC650 (which has worked flawlessly on my former computer) to the Sierra. I confirmed that the service was active on the Sierra through XP prior to loading FC6.

Now, I find that I can communicate with the device, using AT commands, but any attempt to dial fails with "No Carrier.' My call to Verizon (who was helpful yesterday) regarding what that means were met with significant resistance ("We do not support Linux. We will not escalate your call.").

So - I feel pretty confident that this device can be made to work with Linux - and I'm looking for any pointers or assistance that can be offered. There seems to be sufficient evidence from at least two companies that sell laptops configured for Linux to lead me to conclude that we should be able to make this work.

So - in other posts where people have referenced power to the device, is the device powered separately from the radio? Could it be that even though the device is responsive, that the "No Carrier" error implies that the radio portion of the device is not powered?

tiwula · EVDO Newbie Joined: 27 Jun 2006 Posts: 4

Ok - so regarding my last post, I believe that the answer is that the power to the transceiver is off when "No Carrier" is reported. This is based on AT+CSQ which reports 99, 99 - which basically means no signal.

There is a patch to sierra.c that appears to address this issue, and that will be in kernel 2.6.20. If anyone knows how to turn the radio on, I'd be interested...

fparisi · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 07 Oct 2005 Posts: 12

Anyone able to get a T60 to work with Rev A with an internal mini pci card? I am pretty sure that the T60 BIOS won't allow it, and Lenovo won't be updating the BIOS, is what I hear.

Obviously Rev A will work with a express card or pc card.

What's the best RevA express card?

Do express cards get as good reception as PC Cards?

Do either use less power?

DO express cards have antenna boasters available like the pc cards?

thanks for the multiple questions and answers.