Hacking the Lenovo S10-2: Adding 3G

by **ranns** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 10:02 pm

The modem I ordered just arrived today and as always, I'm eager to see if it will work. Initially, I couldn't find any specs for the type of 3G modem that is used by the S10-2, basically because their 3G version hasn't been released yet. I have a spare modem which I tried but unfortunately Lenovo BIOS-locked the 3G modem support only to what's in their whitelist. Here's the clincher. It's not only locked to the type of modem, but also to the specific part number. That's why older Ericsson F3507g modems pulled out from other Lenovo laptops are not 100% sure to work on the S10-2.

However, I found out that Lenovo released a S10e version with 3G modem built in. The screenshot I saw shows Ericsson F3507g with FRU PN: 43Y6537. And according to the ebay seller where I bought my modem;

There are 4 different version of this F3507g card from Lenovo so far, with the different firmware installed, from oldest to latest as following:

The first batch firmware is R1A034 which was built on 2008/05/17
The second batch firmware is R1B003 which was built on 2008/07/08
(The first and second batch are known as 43Y6477/43Y6479)

The third batch firmware is R1B/1 which was built on 2008/07/30
(The third batch is known as 43Y6513)

And then the fourth batch is the newest R1D06 which was built on 2008/11/07
(which provides better performance and stability, and fixed many bugs from the previous version. FRU also changes to 43Y6537)

Unlike other manufactures (Dell, Toshiba etc.) Lenovo does not release the firmware update utility public, so the only way to get a newer version F3507g is by replacing the exist one.

So I took a gamble and bought this UNLOCKED Lenovo Ericsson F3507g 3G BROADBAND HSDPA WWAN R1D06 on eBay. It worked! :-BD

It passed the BIOS check which means this particular model and specific part number is included in their whitelist. I don't know what other models of the Ericsson F3507g are supported.

Also, according to the local Lenovo people I talked to, they said that the 3G's antenna is integrated with the WIFI antenna. They were wrong. The modem couldn't find any signal without the antenna. Luckily, I happen to have a spare Universal Notebook Wireless Antenna (Universal Notebook Wireless Antenna) which I bought a few months ago on eBay also.

Going to the nice part. Those two I explained above are the only things you need if you want to add broadband capability to your S10-2. No major hacks/modification needed. SIM slot is already available. You'd be done in less than 10 minutes.

STEPS:

1. Open the HDD/WIFI plastic cover and the RAM door cover.

2. The modem doesn't come with a screw. You don't need two screws to hold the WIFI so just get one of the screws that secure the WIFI and use that to secure the 3G modem in its place.

3. The built-in WiFi antenna has far greater signal reception than the Universal Wireless Antenna so I opted to use it on the WWAN instead, and just use the Universal Antenna on the WLAN. I didn't notice any change in the WLAN signal reception too.

4. Route the Universal Antenna cables from the RAM area to the WIFI/HDD area, snap it on the MAIN and AUX socket of the WLAN module, and just use the space at the foot of the HDD to tuck the excess wires so it will look clean and tidy.

5. The main antenna board (square strip) can be mounted at the back of the plastic RAM panel cover. However, there's a metal shielding that you may have to cut first since it may affect the signal reception of the antenna. In my case, I just removed the part where the antenna will be positioned.I just used the double sided tape strip that came with it to mount both squares on the inner side of the RAM Door. I then placed a few layers of plastic tape over the soldered connection to prevent possible short circuit with the memory module.

Finally, fire up the S10-2 and install the modem drivers and Connection Manager. They're for s10e but works on S10-2. Read the accompanying README files on how to install the drivers.

XP DRIVERS
Ericsson 3G Card Driver for Windows XP

Ericsson 3G Card Driver Manager for Windows XP

VISTA DRIVERS (might work with Windows 7 but I haven't tested)
Ericsson 3G Card Driver for Windows Vista

Ericsson 3G Card Driver Manager for Windows Vista 32 bit

Here are some images of the simplest 3G hack which almost anyone can do.

The Lenovo 3G modem F3507g -eBay Link

Universal Notebook Wireless Antenna - eBay Link

The modem and antenna after being installed

Don't forget to put a layer of plastic tape over the metal parts to avoid contact with the memory module.

Perfect fit - No bulge!

Removing half of the shielding on RAM door cover

Device manager

Ericsson Connection manager

This particular modem also has a built-in standalone GPS receiver. I tried enabling it in the connection manager but couldn't detect any satellite signal, probably because of the type of antenna I used.

All in all, I'm one happy camper