Lenovo ThinkPad X131e 3G not working

[GLaDOSPulse]

I received my X131e configured to have a 3G modem, and as it says it has IntMobBr - Upgradable on the box, it made me convinced it had one installed.

After seeing the settings, I discovered that it wasn't supplied with one built in already. I don't really understand or do I need to do something to activate it?

[Gamloi7]

Hi, GLaDOSPulse

The X131e has a WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) upgrade option, but does not normally come with one by default. What is your machine type and model? If you don't know this information, it should be listed on the bottom of the computer? Also, if you navigate to Control Panel ► Device Manager, what devices do you see underneath the Network Adapters tree?

Best,

Adam

[GLaDOSPulse]

All I can find is 1x1 1b/g/n Wireless LAN PCI Express Half Mini Card Adapter and the Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller.

It's an x131e 3372-CTO (Custom to order), I did say to get it supplied with one but apparently it didn't arrive with one built into the machine already.

[Gamloi7]

Hi, GLaDOSPulse

Could you possibly send me a private message with your machine type and model and your serial number? I can look up the machine and see what it shipped with.

Thanks in advance,

Adam

[Gamloi7]

Hi again,

I received your message and looked up your machine, and I don't believe that there is a WWAN card in this machine, unfortunately. You can contact support at 01475-897-163 and arrange to have a WWAN card installed. 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news,

Adam

[GLaDOSPulse]

Any way of installing the WWAN myself though?

[Gamloi7]

Hi again,

There may be a way to install WWAN yourself, but if you have a solid state drive in the machine, then they occupy the same space in the machine. Does your machine have a solid state drive in it? If you'd like, you can also read over the Hardware Maintenance Manual, which will guide you through the parts in your machine and how they are configured. The section on WWAN installation and removal starts on page 63. If you can put a WWAN card in the machine, then it is a Customer Replaceable Unit (CRU), which means you can install it yourself and still be in warranty.

Hope it helps,

Adam 

[GLaDOSPulse]

---

@Gamloi7 wrote:

Hi again,

There may be a way to install WWAN yourself, but if you have a solid state drive in the machine, then they occupy the same space in the machine. Does your machine have a solid state drive in it? If you'd like, you can also read over the Hardware Maintenance Manual, which will guide you through the parts in your machine and how they are configured. The section on WWAN installation and removal starts on page 63. If you can put a WWAN card in the machine, then it is a Customer Replaceable Unit (CRU), which means you can install it yourself and still be in warranty.

Hope it helps,

Adam 

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Where can I purchase a WWAN card? Also if I wanted to, it looks like I can swap out the 320GB HDD in my machine for a 256GB SSD.

[Gamloi7]

Hi again,

To purchase a WWAN card, you could call support, purchase the card, and have them ship it to you. You could also go to computer shops in your area, or even find one online. To ensure functionality, I would recommend ordering it through support, since they know which card to send for your system. 

And yes, if you chose, you could swap out the HDD for an SSD. You can find these online, at any computer shop, or by calling support, naturally. Just make sure that you get a SATA SSD that will fit in the space formerly occupied by the HDD. 

Hope it helps,

Adam

[GLaDOSPulse]

Wish the hardware manual told me what's compatible, then I'd be able to find one cheap on ebay (WAY too expensive, it's over £100 and I'm on a student budget).

It's a bit tricky now.