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    Wireless in Inspiron 8200

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by [email protected], Mar 20, 2008.

  1. gwen.morse@gmail.com

    [email protected] Newbie

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    I'm interested in finding an (online) guide to installing (or replacing) the wire antenna for an internal wireless setup in a laptop. If there are particulars by model, mine is an Inspiron 8200.

    My laptop is set up for wireless, but, I stripped the head off the
    connector to the antenna (by accident), when trying to disconnect it. I can find online guides on how to replace the card, but, I need information on how to replace the antenna, itself.
     
    [email protected], Mar 20, 2008
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  2. billcsho

    billcsho Notebook Deity

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    solder it. It is not likely you'll keep the card for another laptop anyway.
     
    billcsho, Mar 20, 2008
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  3. billcsho

    billcsho Notebook Deity

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    By the way, if I remember it correctly, there are 2 connectors for the wireless antenna in i8200. It should work fine even with 1.
     
    billcsho, Mar 20, 2008
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  4. Dukat

    Dukat Newbie

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    Most of the cards have 2 connectors... only one antenna in the laptop itself.
     
    Dukat, Apr 2, 2008
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  5. billcsho

    billcsho Notebook Deity

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    What I mean is I think there are 2 antenna wires inside i8200. It has been over 5 years, so I am not sure about it anymore. I remember installing the Intel 2200BG on my i8200 and my friends another model of Inspiron at the same time. One has one antenna cable and one has 2.
     
    billcsho, Apr 2, 2008
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  6. Sparky 1720

    Sparky 1720 Notebook Consultant

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    The 8200 only has one. I ended up messing up the end on mine and I bought a pair on ebay that had self adhesive tape on the metal end that was the actual antenna. I just put them up under the palmrest on the left side and routed the wire to the bottom bay near the pcmcia slots. Just keep it away from moving parts there.
     
    Sparky 1720, Apr 3, 2008
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  7. billcsho

    billcsho Notebook Deity

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    You are right. I just checked Dell's website. I8200 has one antenna cable while i5160 has two. I installed the Intel 2200bg on the 2 laptops at the same time ~5 years ago.
     
    billcsho, Apr 3, 2008
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  8. c24

    c24 Newbie

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    Or you can go for an external USB wifi stick with an external antenna connector.

    This setup gives you better range and flexibility to extend the antenna away from the laptop, although you will have some extra baggage to carry if you are highly mobile ;)

    c24
     
    c24, Apr 13, 2008
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  9. billcsho

    billcsho Notebook Deity

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    The internal WiFi has better antenna loop than the small antenna inside USB WiFi adapter. The internal antenna loop is along the edge behind the LCD panel and gives a better reception unless you use an external antenna. Of course, in the OP's case, the connector to the antenna loop is broken and has no other choice. Nevertheless, the USB WiFi adapters have acceptable performance even with the small antenna and portability would be a more important factor for a laptop.
     
    billcsho, Apr 13, 2008
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