XPS M1530 + Intel AGN

Hello

I have an XPS M1530 with the Intel ABG wireless adapter. Is it possible to install the Intel AGN wireless adapter that was delivered with Product Red?
I can have one fairly cheap, but I'm not sure whether it will work with the antenna cables.

Has someone upgraded his wifi adapter yet?

With kind regards

 

The existing cables will do.. You'll probably have to install another cable that wasn't attached previously, but is there nonetheless.. Refer to the service manual...

 

Hi, actually I have upgraded my wlan card on the m1530. I got my m1530 with a intel 3945abg and later bought a intel 4965agn. It was rather easy to swap them.
The 4965agn card has 3 antenna connectors and you just have to, besides adding the 2 cables you already had connected with your 3945agb, add the 3rd antenna cable (the grey one) onto the middle connector of the 4965agn.
Everything is working fine the only thing unusual that came up after the swap is that the wlan led is now blinking from time to time. But as long as it is working fine I don't bother about that.

 

Is there much difference in speed/connection?

 

The increase in connectivity is definately noticable. With my old 3945agb and a g router I had 3/5 connection bars and with my new n-card and my old g router I always get 5/5 connection bars which is cool
But I guess that it actually doesn't really matter in my case because even with 3/5 bars the wlan connection was still faster than my internet connection (~600kb/s).
Just got the card for the sake of having the new technology and the possibilty to connect to a n router some time in the future

 

OK, I have an N-router, should work well then

 

I just ordered the M1530 today with the Intel 4965agn card and would like to know what N-router you are using and how that is working for you. Looking at my options in routers now since Ship Date isn't until 5/28/08, plenty of time to research.

 

Well, I haven't received the adapter yet. I'm waiting for it to be delivered.
My N-router is a Linksys WRT150N and I'm happy with it

 

Connectivity also depends on other factors. I have a lot of neighbours with wireless networks. Sometimes I only get 50%, other times I get 100% signal with the 4965 AGN in my M1530. It depends if some neighbour has their WiFi network switched on, which seems to interfere with my network.

 

OK, I just installed it and it runs GREAT!
Just had to remove the older ABG card, put the new in and boot the laptop. The AGN was immediately recognized and installed by Vista. I didn't have to do anything else!

I have max connection in my backyard now.

 

Linksys wrt600N and the intel 4965AGN card work great together. Your not going to get over 130 Mbps without the 5GHZ band radio in your router.

I recommend you go read the threads in the networking forum regarding this nic and routers.

 

Yeah, now it's capped at 130mbps. Still much better than 54mbps

I'll read some threads about the band radio.

 

Good to hear that it works that well for you^^ The n card rules!

btw... is your wlan led now also blinking when downloading something or loading a webpage?

 

Yup, it's blinking!

 

Damn the blinking! I would love to turn it off. If it was the only blinking thing I might be tempted to out tape over the led to keep it from lighting up the transfer piece but since its right next to the HD Led... oh well.

 

is the intel 4965agn draft 2.0 compatible?

 

I noticed that if you use a Dell supplied AGN card, the WiFi LED wont blink and will light up when you enable it.

An OEM card will blink with network activity and will not light up until you connect to a network.

Dell card will have White/Grey/Black triangles next to the connectors and an OEM will have 1/2/3

 

Are you talking about the little Blue wifi logo between the mediadirect and power buttons? I have the Intel N card and it doesn't blink ever...