T450 Wifi replacement problem

[SoraKasvgano]

Hi,jsassu20,

thanks for your hardwork on EFI for T450....

there is a problem after i change my wifi to bcm94360CSAX ,i can use wifi in MACos

but when i return to win10, i can find the wifi device working,but it can't find any wifi signal....

i ve reinstall several version drivers of it....also reinstalled win10 for several times,but i dont know why it still can find any wifi signals...

Is there still any Lenovo FRU authentication on t450 bios?

Oh,btw my T450 has geforce 940m on it....

[jsassu20]

No its been disabled did you try the windows drivers in my utilities folder?

[SoraKasvgano]

yeah，i reinstalled the drivers ,the device BCM94360CSAX is working ,but still cant find any wifi signals...

and i try to installed different Wlan card before,such as BCM94360CS2 still this problem,It can be used in mac but still can‘t find signals in windows

[jsassu20]

I found working drivers for both

[jsassu20]

https://github.com/jsassu20/Apple-Airport-Broadcom-BCM4360-Windows-Drivers

yeah，i reinstalled the drivers ,the device BCM94360CSAX is working ,but still cant find any wifi signals...

and i try to installed different Wlan card before,such as BCM94360CS2 still this problem,It can be used in mac but still can‘t find signals in windows

Sorry for late response here you go, I can verify that these drivers work for both cards as Ive tested myself .

https://github.com/jsassu20/Apple-Airport-Broadcom-BCM4360-Windows-Drivers

[jsassu20]

I would also make sure there are no shorts on the card due to possible short to ground from the screw that holds the adapter in place this is a very common issue Ive had numerous people contact me with issues that have been different in actual experiences which have been directly attributed to this exact situation. Ensure there is a sufficient substance between the adapter and back of wifi card which can ensure no short is occurring.

[karlamba]

Hi jsassu20, My problem is related with WIFI replacement so I will write it here even if it is an different kind than above one. I've bought the same recommended by you WIFI card and adapter:

• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PDN4H9E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Yu7LDbEA8CT4Z
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KHRJVXW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2o7LDbKZP042Q

I have T450 so the same as you did this hackintosh build. Now I've tried to put these new wifi and adapter into it and it works very well except the thing that there is not much space to put the cover of the laptop back in place without some deformation of it. How did you "fix" that or did you use other way to eliminate the cover deformation?

So maybe I'm little too quick but I've ordered the following adapter instead and I'm waiting for it:

• https://www.amazon.com/NGFF-Mini-PCI-Adapter-Cable/dp/B07JFYSNVL/ref=pd_sbs_147_2/133-1039478-9926862?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07JFYSNVL&pd_rd_r=88de14da-7aec-44e5-9d2e-ca523e13e8ff&pd_rd_w=vw1o6&pd_rd_wg=CUHLo&pf_rd_p=5873ae95-9063-4a23-9b7e-eafa738c2269&pf_rd_r=DTYCTPJGY7H5BKB24664&psc=1&refRID=DTYCTPJGY7H5BKB24664

Cheers!

[jsassu20]

I cut the adapter to the lowest point I could and didn’t use any screws I just electrical taped the adapter and card and installed in the slot the card won’t go anywhere

[jsassu20]

That adapter might work better I’m not sure though I haven’t tried myself

[lynatic1337]

So I fixed this by updating the specific driver by using driver booster. I know, everybody hates driver booster but I couldn’t find the right driver anywhere else. Windows shows them as 2015 drivers while the working one seems to be a 2017 driver.

[karlamba]

@jsassu20 - and it really don't make any deformation on the laptop cover in this case? I will try out this too as I'm still waiting for this second different adapter.

Is it cut like this?

[lynatic1337]

I have the same exact same adapter, even in 450s. This should work if you cut it, although I haven’t even noticed a deformation without cutting it.

[karlamba]

Did you Guys remove this so the wifi card is much closer to the adapter? Is it the only way?

This is how it looks in my case:

[lynatic1337]

You can remove both upper holes for the screws with a simple screwdriver. That makes it a little bit thinner. I wouldn't remove the rubber, I think it is there to prevent shortening the card. Try to close it, in my case, it looked the same and worked. If it's too thick do not remove everything from that rubber, just make it thinner to not damage the card.

[karlamba]

@AgentHV - thx for tip - what about that part (I'm not sure which holes you are talking about). You can remove both upper holes for the screws with a simple screwdriver.

[lynatic1337]

I remember these both holes being for screws that arent needed and having a piece of metal in them which makes them a little bit higher. You can get this piece out with a screwdriver or just cut this part.

[karlamba]

It's much better now but anyway some little deformation of the case cover is noticeable. Hmm maybe its so small that you don't see it in normal use ;) - it is visible when laptop stands on the table and you will look up on here:

I will use it like this for now - will test the other adapter when he arrives (around March 6).

[karlamba]

Gents - I did a big mistake as I've ordered the following another adapter: https://www.amazon.com/NGFF-Mini-PCI-Adapter-Cable/dp/B07JFYSNVL/ref=pd_sbs_147_2/136-2423406-3935226?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07JFYSNVL&pd_rd_r=16600851-9165-4460-9c4f-16ee38e1abb8&pd_rd_w=cW78c&pd_rd_wg=xlfcn&pf_rd_p=7cd8f929-4345-4bf2-a554-7d7588b3dd5f&pf_rd_r=2F4RG1SZJX6KAKY7MXDN&psc=1&refRID=2F4RG1SZJX6KAKY7MXDN

Unfortunately it is not valid for this wifi card because it is for Mini PCI-E wifi cards... Do you know any similar adapters which will be good for this?

[svobluk]

Gents - I did a big mistake as I've ordered the following another adapter: https://www.amazon.com/NGFF-Mini-PCI-Adapter-Cable/dp/B07JFYSNVL/ref=pd_sbs_147_2/136-2423406-3935226?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07JFYSNVL&pd_rd_r=16600851-9165-4460-9c4f-16ee38e1abb8&pd_rd_w=cW78c&pd_rd_wg=xlfcn&pf_rd_p=7cd8f929-4345-4bf2-a554-7d7588b3dd5f&pf_rd_r=2F4RG1SZJX6KAKY7MXDN&psc=1&refRID=2F4RG1SZJX6KAKY7MXDN

Unfortunately it is not valid for this wifi card because it is for Mini PCI-E wifi cards... Do you know any similar adapters which will be good for this?

I did excatly same mistake last time...

You need to order something like this: https://a.aliexpress.com/_dTNsW4f

[karlamba]

@svobluk - thx man!

Question to those who use the standard adapter: Did you remove this "screw holder"? I still don't get it how in your T450's you don't have any deformation of the case cover.

[jsassu20]

You want an ngff adapter with the A+E key configuration. M.2 (NGFF) ports have multiple key configurations for different purposes. The Airport card is made up of a WiFi chip and a Bluetooth chip. The WiFi portion of the card runs off of PCIe lanes and the Bluetooth utilizes an internal USB hub that’s specifically routed to the M.2 slot for the WiFi card. The A+E key provides the proper access for usb

[jsassu20]

@svobluk - thx man!

Question to those who use the standard adapter: Did you remove this "screw holder"? I still don't get it how in your T450's you don't have any deformation of the case cover.

You can also mold the rubber on the back of the airport card to flatten it out and give you extra space just slowyly push and stretch it so it flattens of and gives you extra space

[svobluk]

@svobluk - thx man!

Question to those who use the standard adapter: Did you remove this "screw holder"? I still don't get it how in your T450's you don't have any deformation of the case cover.

I have slightly visible deformantion of the backcover as well. In my case I would rather say because of the heat from the card since I was able to attach the case without any deformation in that time but after some time I can see small deformation there, maybe more noticable by hand than visible.

[karlamba]

Guys I have another request - I've just installed win10 and used the drivers you suggested here but no any wifi network I can find. I don't think it is an issue of the wifi card connection etc. In MACOS everything works fine but in win10 I can't find any wifi networks even if not any issues found in the device manager.

[lynatic1337]

For me, the Driver-Booster-Driver worked even tough any other driver didn't. Just install any of the recommended drivers and then download driver booster and the specific driver via ethernet.

[karlamba]

hmm... I've tried it now and it didn't change anything. The problem exist. Now I only think that maybe this is a problem with my antena connection. Is it possible that in windows this could be the problem if in MACOS everything works fine?

I've connected the wifi antennas to the "green" and to the red I've connected 1 "mobile" antenna.

[lynatic1337]

I had it the other way around but this shouldn’t change anything. Having the card recognized but not seeing any networks is that classic driver error. You may try to install and update different drivers until it works. Aaaaaaaand have you tried to turn it on and off again?

[karlamba]

I've tried to disable/enable wifi device in windows device manager. Tried to reinstall different wifi drivers etc. Did you use exactly drivers specified by @jsassu20 and can you tell me please how you have connected antennas?

Is it even possible that my wifi card is broken if it works OK in Hackintosh and I have these problems in Win10 only?

[lynatic1337]

I tried every driver from the thread and then got the windows drivers in macOS via the bootcamp-assistant and tried them too. I can’t say which one worked for me but I had to remove one, restart, install one, restart. There are around 4 different drivers, just try all of them until one gets recognized by driver booster.

[karlamba]

ok I will try but can't you just give me at least the version number of drivers you use in win10? And what do you mean "until one gets recognized by driver booster"? I did that and my wifi drivers were updated by it - still without success.

[karlamba]

Guys, can you please let me know which Win10 build you use? Is it 1903 or 1909? My wifi under win10 still doesn't work. Can you also let me know which driver version you have working for you?

[gabgabe]

Hi all thinkpad mates. I’m a little confused, can someone please explain the mind of stuff we need to replace?

I have installed a M.2 SSD that i’d use for OS + sata SSD for encrypted storage.

Well I have to replace existing wifi card ok, but is ”BCM94360CSAX“ size bigger? do I have to remove my os ssd to put new wifi card? Where goes the adaptor? >_<

Im confused on different types of hardware, adaptors ecc. please help me understanding them :( Also antennas where do you plug them?

Thank you! I will post photos and share all at job done

Edit Whats the socket name of BCM94360CSAX? Is it mini pci? I’ve just realized that M.2 is the same of NGFF. Can someone confirm I dont have to sacrificate my M2 SSD? Thank you

[karlamba]

Just check my foto as it is also above - you can see the BCM94360CSAX used with the adapter - all is working in the same wifi port as the old "original" wifi card.

BTW - I still have problem with this card in win10 but maybe this is because of the win10 newest build 1909 - can someone confirm this that you use older win10 builds?

[gabgabe]

I have a question My T450 has UEFI bios version 1.37 Is there any whitelish or other troubles of compatibility replacing to BCM9436CSAX? Do I have to reflash bios chip? Thank you

[karlamba]

It should not be. But can't you just in problems downgrade to bios v 1.35? I see an option in the bios which allows to do downgrade.

[svobluk]

Just check my foto as it is also above - you can see the BCM94360CSAX used with the adapter - all is working in the same wifi port as the old "original" wifi card.

BTW - I still have problem with this card in win10 but maybe this is because of the win10 newest build 1909 - can someone confirm this that you use older win10 builds?

I have 1903 release with the same card now and I have excatly the same behavior - Wifi is visible inside the system but with no networks around

I have tested DriverPack / DriveBooster / BootCamp drivers but no luck.... still looking for the working one.

Bluetooth works fine with the driver from the BootCamp.

( previously I used BCM943602CS which is fully working inside W10.... but I have moved that card to the T480 hack )

[karlamba]

I've also tested 1903 release last time - fresh win10 install just to see if any of these posted win10 wifi drivers will work (even I've used Driver Booster as suggested before) - NO success.

So I'm still confused how can it work for few Guys from here and for us it doesn't.

@jsassu20 , @AgentHV - are you able to help us? can you check your win10 release build and wifi drivers version? also it would be helpful if you could maybe tell us how did you install these drivers (I mean from the .exe file or fully manually by selecting .inf file)?

[karlamba]

@AgentHV - now I've figure out that you have mentioned before that Driver Booster has found for you the correct driver which is from 2017. For me Driver Booster found the driver only from 2016 and I don't know why I cannot update to 2017 driver. Which Diver Booster version do you have?

[svobluk]

@AgentHV - now I've figure out that you have mentioned before that Driver Booster has found for you the correct driver which is from 2017. For me Driver Booster found the driver only from 2016 and I don't know why I cannot update to 2017 driver. Which Diver Booster version do you have?

same here, the last one Driver Booster offers is from 2016

[lynatic1337]

First, my windows 10-Version is 1909, so it may be a 1903-error. For strange reasons, driver booster won't show the card as an airport card, it shows it as: The driver-details which are shown in the device manager are: In the end, I should mention that I've turned off energy saving in the device manager too, maybe that helped too as it does with many driver-related problems.

[karlamba]

ahaaaa... so it is completely different driver then - I will try it today. NO any success. I cannot find any driver with that name which could be properly installed. Every driver with this device name after installation report the error 10 - device cannot start. Every try to update them via Driver Booster finish with installation of driver for "broadcom 802.11ac network adapter".

Maybe you have the drivers you have installed and which were after then replaced by Driver Booster? I mean the first drivers you installed and they didn't work or maybe the latest which are working for you? Can you show your network devices from Device Manager to be sure that we have exactly the same devices? To be clear I have the same problem in win10 1903 and 1909.

[svobluk]

Hi, I have just tested exactly the same driver as stated on the screen and I have exactly the same issue as @karlamba.

I think we are talking about different cards. May we all check the hardware IDs from device manager??

Mine is: PCI\VEN_14E4&DEV_43A0&SUBSYS_0112106B&REV3

[lynatic1337]

Mine is PCI\VEN_14E4&DEV_43BA&SUBSYS_0133106B&REV_01 so it differs after the 43. First letters should be the vendor but the following are differing after just a few digits, maybe we have a card from the same series but not the same model. Strange, eBay and the packaging are telling me that its an BCM94360CSAX 🤔

[karlamba]

@jsassu20 - do you have the same model? I think you have the one we have with @svobluk Can you please let us know and maybe share your driver version etc?

[svobluk]

Mine is PCI\VEN_14E4&DEV_43BA&SUBSYS_0133106B&REV_01

so it differs after the 43. First letters should be the vendor but the following are differing after just a few digits, maybe we have a card from the same series but not the same model.

Strange, eBay and the packaging are telling me that its an BCM94360CSAX 🤔

Don’t you have BCM943602CSAX?

[lynatic1337]

So the card-body itself tells me it’s a BCM943602CS... I don’t know who I can trust but the seller told me he pulled it from a working system, so he may just have written the wrong number into his eBay-system. In both cases, it isn't the same card as the one that you have, either way, the AX or the 2 are missing.

[svobluk]

So the card-body itself tells me it’s a BCM943602CS... I don’t know who I can trust but the seller told me he pulled it from a working system, so he may just have written the wrong number into his eBay-system. In both cases, it isn't the same card as the one that you have, either way, the AX or the 2 are missing.

Thanks for confirmation. Yes, BCM943602CS works under the WIN10 - I have this card in my T480 hack.... Hmm with T450 I wanted to try something different now as this card was cheaper and seems it was not a good choice.

[karlamba]

I think only @jsassu20 can confirm this (if and how it works in win10) and do for us the last check as he mentioned in his/this github that it works - even he provided win10 drivers but somehow they don't work for us.

@svobluk - so you can confirm that below card should work without issues both in hackintosh and win10? https://www.ebay.pl/itm/Apple-Macbook-Pro-A1502-13-A1398-15-Wireless-WiFi-Card-653-0194-BCM943602CS/352585042098?hash=item5217b4c8b2:g:~zQAAOSw7tRee4LO

@jsassu20 - can you please confirm which exactly model you have and which drivers you use in win10?

[svobluk]

@karlamba - That’s correct. I used BCM943602CS with T450 and now I have moved that card into T480.

Confirmed with Mojave / Catalina and WIN10 as well.

[gabgabe]

NO IT DOES NOT FIT T450 OK!!! You better desolder the female screw on pc mainboard

Got my laptop suddenly fried

[lynatic1337]

Sorry to hear that, hope there’s not too much damage done. Which screw should be desoldered? Will electrical tape do this? And which card do you have?