Aspire 3102WLMi and BT

I figure this question has been asked a gazillion times because I've searched for it but haven't exactly found any answers to the specific questions I have...

First off, I figure that the 3100 series and the 5100 series probably share the same motherboard and chassis, based on the fact that the 3000 series and 5000 series does it according to a service and repair manual for those which I dug up yesterday... They have the same chipset, socket and graphics... Now, in the 3000-5000 series manual there is described a BT connector for a BT module on their motherboards and I took the plunge yesterday and opened up my 3102WLMi and the motherboard layout seems somewhat the same but I didn't lift off the keyboard(the BT module seems to have to be installed somewhere from that side but it does look like I have a connector on my motherboard(the little button on the front pops the message that no device conected when actuated). Does anyone here have a 3100 or 5100 series aspire with a bluetooth module that perhaps could be kind enough to open it up, shoot a few piccies of the connector, cable, module and in some text describe what the cable looks like(number of wires, colour of wires and in which order they sit in the connector to the motherboard)... I suspect that the module is a USB variety and it just so happens that I have a JABRA USB module that's based on the Broadcom blutonium chipset which the BT modules for the 3000-5000 series also are based on... If I can get a hold of the requested information and it checks out like I want it to there just might be a little guide to build your own cheaper BT module for these laptops on it's way...

USB is four wires + connector shield, which makes it five total, the colours are [red | white | green | black | shield], if anyone has a module and could take a look at the cable supplied with it and in which order the wires are connected to the motherboard connector(picture of it where you can see the specific order they are in) I would be very happy, this applies to those of you that has a 3000-5000 series aspire as well as I can't think ACER would change model with every laptop(that would be costly)

Thanks in advance, William

 

Why dont you just use an external BT module via USB? It's easier.

 

For exact same reason that everone else wants internal bluetooth, to get rid of all dongles...

 

OK, I understand this, but it's a potentially dangerous operation. You have to know EXACTLY what you are doing. If you REALLY want to go ahead with this (and, btw, I thing that opening your laptop by yourself VIODS your warranty), at least go to a computer service store/outlet and let a proffesional do this operation for you.

 

Ahem *professional* *cough* *hark* LOOOOOOOOOOOOOL... I've serviced Dell Latitude laptops a couple of times, swapped motherboards in a few compaq's and built several high performance desktop PC's and also have quite a lot of electronics equipment experience up my sleeve

I've had this laptop for about six days now and the first thing I did was reinstall everything but without the e-utilities and then I just couldn't resist opening the chassis to have a look at things... Let's just say I'm a "device maniac" I understand fully that I probably voided every warranty in the universe when I opened this box up so that won't be a problem with me...

 

Foxen, I hope you did not misunderstand me! In no way did I try to say that you can not do such an operation. I just didn't know HOW much you knew about laptops and that, normally, opening the laptop, if made by somebody who doens't know what he's doing, might have serious repercusions.

I know what you mean! My fingers are twitching to open my baby (Aspire 3023) but, alas, that Warranty Certificate does tend squash such urges..

 

No worries m8e

Hmmm... My laptop seems to be lacking such a sticker? There's no way they could see that I've opened the chassis unless they open it and search for fingerprints...?

 

Okay, a screwdriver and an hour later I've scouted what probably is the BT module connector and it doesn't exactly look like the one for the 5000 series, this seems to be more like the Dell TrueMobile 350 module and probably is based on the BCM92045NMD Broadcom chip... I can't wait to get my hands on one

 

They can see that you've opened it by studying the top of the screws. And by the force THEY need to apply to unscrew them.

 

Foxen - any luck on the Bluetooth front? I recently got a 5102WLMi and am in the same boat. BT switch on the front, "No Bluetooth Device" message when I push the switch.

There's got to be a BT module that can be installed. There is an open "slot" underneath my memory cover. It's white and maybe 3/4" long. Could that possibly be where a BT card would go?

 

I haven't found any more information as of yet, but I'm guessing the module is similar to the dell mobile-somethin 350 bluetooth module, probably not the slot you mention but rather one that's further back, near the rear of the laptop...

 

Hi there, I'm having the same problem trying to work out how to fit this thing; and what exactly this thing is...

The white slot is a Mini-PCI slot sos m8 , it's normally used for wifi but you can use it for stuff like modems and other (normally factory installed) options.

Maybe you could get a Mini-PCI card with bluetooth or bluetooth/wifi if we can't get this BT Module thing working?

Take a look @ this: http://ask.metafilter.com/mefi/28900