Getting to the mini-PCI socket on W5AE

I recently bought the ultraportable W5AE and I must say I am very impressed. I have bought ASUS motherboards for years, but had no prior experience with their notebooks. They look to me like a very strong player - with quality similar to their MBs.

I prefer to have a Atheros based WiFi card in my notebook, as my router is Atheros based and the SuperG (propietary) mode really does make a big difference on downloads. So if I cannot configure the notebook to come with an Atheros based wifi adapter, I usually just swap it out myself. (Its a $23 item - well worth it to me to double my download speed.) The W5AE comes with an Intel 2200BG adapter, and I had no option to configure it differently, so I planned to do my regular swap.

BUT... Unlike any other notebook I have seen, there is no hatch to get to the mini-pci adapter. If I remove the hatch for the CPU & cooler, I can see the top antenna leads of the Intel adapter, but I cannot get lower to replace it. Its not clear to me how I can disassemble enough to get to it. It looks to me like I'd have to pretty much take the entire thing apart. WHile I routinely build and fix my desktop machines, I am not experienced with notebooks beyond replacing memory, harddrives, keyboards, or mini-pci cards (when access is there.) So I may just pass on this upgrade altogether. The Intel adapter works fine - just not the faster downloads of "SuperG". But does anyone have a service manual for this unit so I can see what would be involved ? Or would anyone be so kind as to detail the steps to get to access to the mini-pci slot ?

This brings up one issue: With laptops, unlike desktops, I tend to actually buy the service contracts because they are more prone to need repair if you travel a lot. But the Asus does not seem to offer extended warranty in the USA (per the Asus website.) Are there any good third-party service contracts for the Asus notebooks , by an outfit that actually knows what they are doing ?

Thank you.

 

Since a lot of people looked at your post and didn't comment.. I thought I'd give you a little advice.

.... first, on the W5, S5 and M5...... you need to take the motherboard out to replace the miniPCI card. Basically, it comes down to structure and that's the least likely to need access, so there isn't a door for it on those small systems..... It's still replaceable, it just takes a lot more to do it. It's basically the first part that goes into the computer... so it's the last one to come out... you need to take the motherboard out completely to swap that card.... is it worth it... probably not... but if you want to do it, expect to dedicate a couple hours to it.

... If you need any help once you start taking it apart... I've stripped all of these systems more times than I want to remember... I can give you a hand. Just don't ask me for a guide to do them, because I never used one... and never made one... but I can take you through almost anything.

 

Thanks Justin for the response. I had pretty much figured it would require basically totally disassembling, which you have confirmed. I think in this case I will just decide that standard 802.11g 54Mbps will be good enough - I'll plug the ethernet cable in if I have something extremely large.

Any comment on my secondard question - wondering if anyone (your company maybe ?) does offer an extended service contract on the Asus line. Any idea why Asus apparently does NOT in North America ?

Thanks.

 

Does the BIOS on the laptops even allow mini-pci wireless cards other than the ones they ship by default? If so, two more points for Asus

 

Yes, the BIOS does "allow" it...and while using it, it should be fine, but the BIOS may not fully recognize what it is (and thus the wireless LED may not light up anymore as a result).

 

There is an extended warranty that started at the end of last month.... you need to buy it with your system and the place you buy it from has to offer it... it's not something you can get through Asus.

 

Hello, would replacing the wireless Intel mini-pci with a Engenius 400mw give me better recieving range?

Also, which screws do I need to remove to replace out the mini-pci for the W5Ae?

thanks
vic...

 

.... you'll need to take out all screws...... the mini-pci card on the W5ae is the first thing to go in the computer.. which means it's the last one out.