M14X - Bigfoot killer 1103 install with extra antenna

tools used: small screw driver

Hey guys im noobie,

My m14x came with the centrino advance N 6205 and it runs well, but now with the killer wireless it runs better. I can pick up more networks around my area and constantly stay at a higher mbs. The advance N would flutter around 150-250mbs or so.

I followed the disassembly from this post:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m14x/598528-alienware-m14x-disassembly-teardown-upgrade-guide.html

Bought the killer card and cheap antennas from ebay as well:

Pair Laptop Wireless Mini PCI PCI-E Internal Antenna | eBay

Firstly I downloaded the bigfoot driver to get ready (cause you won't have internet connection later):

Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

Then I uninstalled the centrino advance N driver from Device Manager and used CCleaner to clean any unwanted registry.

So it was about 4 bolts all up to be able to view the wireless card. Placed in the new card and reinstalled the two side antennas and chuck an extra one in the middle.



I didn't want to rip up all the motherboard and sh!t, so I placed it where I think is best; away from the battery and hard drive encase of any signal interruption. Originally I had it behind the metal name plate but on the back plate of the m14x there are studs sticking out that would pierce the antenna so I moved it near the ram without blocking the holes and also sit flat. (the antenna comes with a double sided tape thingie to stick)



Overall it took about 10mins, most of the time was spent figuring out where to place the antenna lol, you can see a bit of green through the mesh underneath the laptop but I couldn't be stuffed to move it down a bit.

The speed of retrieving/sending files across the network is most noticeable, better and reliable mbs, internet and gaming is good as per usual. Its more for a piece of mind knowing that you're connecting at top speed lol.

Heres the overall pic.



The cabling for the antennas i bought was a bit long, i suggest getting 10-15cms length. I tucked the extra slack between the frame.

Hope this helps someone out lol

 

Why not just route it next to the two existing wires? There's a third (empty) channel there that is perfect, no?

 

I need help. I bought a Killer 1202 the other day and I got it yesterday. I followed the instructions for dissasembly and replacing the wireless card etc but now my computer will not recognize the wireless. I installed the killer drivers and UNinstalled the intel 2230. But when I go into the Killer network manager program it says no killer device dtected. Which i find odd seeing as how it wouldnt even let me install the drivers unless there was a killer device present. Anyways after fooling with it a while I uninstalled the killer drivers and reinstalled my intel 2230 and drivers thinking that maybe I just got a bad killer card. But NOW my intel isnt working either. Is there something im missing?? Do the antennas have to be a certain way or what?? Please help

 

I did the same thing with my r1, but tucked the extra antenna in the space behind the front light. it got a better signal there as its less obstructed by metal or the coating inside the bottom cover. I would have brought the 1103 over to my r2 were it not for the fact that I would loose bluetooth. not an issue on the r1 since it has a separate BT module but the only factory BT options on the r2 are integrated into the wifi cards. I tried using the BT 3.0 module from my r1 as there is a connector on the board for it, but could not get it to show up. I use BT too much to loose it for small boost in internal network speed. especially when it's already much faster than my internet connection on 300.
I have been looking every week or so for the 1203 to be released, but hopefully we aren't to far off from a mini pcie 802.11AC card. i might deal with a usb BT adapter for 1300Mbs AC, not 450 though.