Difference between revisions of "MiniPCI Express slot"

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((In)Compatibility)
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=== (In)Compatibility ===
 
=== (In)Compatibility ===
Though the slot is MiniPCIe in form factor, it has been crippled to only accept devices with PCI-ID's contained in a BIOS whitelist consisting of the above list of devices (likely not exhaustive and varying depending on the particular system) with the additional requirement that they '''must carry the Lenovo brand name and consequently cost twice as much'''. If an unauthorized card is plugged in it gives a <tt>1802</tt> error on initial boot up before it even touches the operating system. (see [[Problem with unauthorized MiniPCI network card]], [http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=69445 1802 with MiniPCIe on t60],[http://forums.lenovo.com/lnv/board/message?board.id=T_Series_Thinkpads&message.id=274 same]). The workarounds on the first link concerning MiniPCI devices may or may not be directly applicable to the MiniPCIe slot. Anyone who has added non-Lenovo components to this slot either successfully or unsuccessfully is encouraged to provide any relevant details here.
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The BIOS is know to check PCI IDs (via whitelist) and block the boot process if it’s not satisfied (<tt>1802</tt> error). The details vary. Above mentioned hardware might only be accepted if it comes with one set of possible IDs (for Lenovo). The same hardware (from the driver’s viewpoint) is often also available with other IDs if it is sold though other channels. (see also [[Problem with unauthorized MiniPCI network card]], [http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=69445 1802 with MiniPCIe on t60],[http://forums.lenovo.com/lnv/board/message?board.id=T_Series_Thinkpads&message.id=274 same]).
  
 
=== Hacked BIOS with white list removed ===
 
=== Hacked BIOS with white list removed ===

Revision as of 23:24, 31 May 2014

A MiniPCI Express slot is a version of the PCI-Express x1 slot for Notebooks.

NOTE!
There are two physical form factors, a standard 30×50.95 mm, and a half-height 30×26.8 mm. Which one fits depends on the slot.


MiniPCI Express Adapters

WLAN

WWAN

Other

(In)Compatibility

The BIOS is know to check PCI IDs (via whitelist) and block the boot process if it’s not satisfied (1802 error). The details vary. Above mentioned hardware might only be accepted if it comes with one set of possible IDs (for Lenovo). The same hardware (from the driver’s viewpoint) is often also available with other IDs if it is sold though other channels. (see also Problem with unauthorized MiniPCI network card, 1802 with MiniPCIe on t60,same).

Hacked BIOS with white list removed

Non-official patched versions of BIOS files are available for X300, X61, X61s, T61, T61p, R61, R61e (and others, i did it to x60s) which remove whitelist restrictions allowing non-lenovo PCI-e devices.. (see forum post: Ultimate R61/T61/X61/X300 BIOS (inc SATA-II)

Models featuring this Technology

External sources