Wireless-N on Inspiron 1420

Hi everybody. I've searched all over for an solution to this and can't seem to find any straight answers.

I'm trying to upgrade my Inspiron 1420 to wireless-n, but I'm running into some problems. I know that the recommended card is the Intel 4965agn, but that card only uses the 40Mhz band at the 5Ghz frequency (at 2.4Ghz, it only allows 20Mhz).

My router (Linksys WRT-160N) only uses the 2.4Ghz frequency, so if I use the 4965, I would only get 130mbps. I was led to believe that the Intel WiFi Link 5300 would work at both bands on 2.4Ghz, but I just installed it, and it doesn't seem to be compatible with my computer. I get a code 10 (unable to start) error.

So my question is this: Is there a wireless-n card that is compatible with the Inspiron 1420 and that will utilize the 40Mhz band at 2.4Ghz? Thanks in advance.

 

I use 5300 in my vostro 1400, and I know a friend that is using 5300 also in his inspiron 1420..
He's not using any wireless N yet, but I get a stable 300Mbps with my N-router.

Can you try the card in another laptop to see if it's defective or not?

 

No. Don't have another laptop. I've read that there are multiple versions of the 5300, and that some of them are specific to IBM or HP laptops. However, I can't seem to find what versions there are or how to know which is right for a Dell.

The one I bought is product number 533AN_MMWW. I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit.

 

it's safe to just not take the HP/IBM specific ones..
I got the 533AN_MMW if that makes any difference

Is it detected in BIOS?

 

Yes. Detected in BIOS. Also shows up in device manager, but with a yellow exclamation point (and says unable to start).

The one I ordered didn;t say IBM or HP. Is there any way to know which is which?

 

Have you uninstalled the 4965 driver and installed 5300 driver before put it in?
I did those first and the card ran instantly..

on second thought, it could be that HP and IBM notebooks that can only handle specific cards while other notebooks can handle any cards.

 

No. I installed the card first, and windows tried to install a driver and failed. Then I uninstalled what windows used and installed the current Intel driver. Would it make a difference if I installed the driver first?

 

don't know, just better off cleaning the old drivers first before putting new card in ,,cmiiw...

But in your case I bet it's more like a defective card instead of incompatibility,
bcause I know 1420 can handle 5300.
Try a driver from Intel site and clean the old driver first.. and it maybe works

edit: just read you've tried intel driver oops

 

It's a sign that your 5300 is a Lenovo/IBM or HP card. Get another one which is generic or Dell's.

I've had problem replacing 4965AGN with 5300 in one of my laptops which finally solved after reinstalling the Vista OS, but it wasn't code 10 error (I forgot the error message).

 

Thanks for the replies. After removing the card from my laptop, I notice that it has an HP sticker on it that I didn't see before.

I double-checked the site I bought it from and no mention of HP on the listing. I guess it's just a crap-shoot whether you get a generic one or one of the HP/Lenovo cards.

I'll see if I can exchange this one for a generic. Still don't know how I would know a generic one if I saw it though.

 

Try getting Dell's version. It uses white, grey and black triangles for its antenna connectors, instead of 1, 3 and 2 numbers. But that is if the seller didn't fake the label.

 

I've only seen a Dell version in a half-size mini card. The original card in my laptop was full size. Would a half-size card fit?

 

It would, but you'll have problem on securing it (others might tape it down or using something). Get the full one but try emailing the seller before making the purchase asking which version.

 

Thanks everyone for your helpful posts. Like truckless, I am also trying to upgrade my DELL Inspiron 1420 to Wireless N with an Intel 5300 card, if I can find the right one.

I tried eBay, and listed one below...but

EDIT: I apparently cannot think straight today, so I'm editing my previous post--the fact that this eBay seller includes HP part numbers makes it clear that it is probably not compatible with Dell. The seller's ad said
One particular eBay seller says:
"For use in Intel Active Management Technology (iAMT) models ONLY!
CENTRINO 2 PROCESSOR ONLY!
HP part #s:
480986-001
506679-001"

so my hunt for a 5300 card, compatible with Dell, continues...

If anyone finds one and can post info, thank you in advance.
G

 

Hopefully these pictures help you..

NOTE: I can't for the LIFE of me get this card to connect to any Wireless N at ALL. I was originally using a Linksy's WRT600N and then switched to a WRT310N with the same issue. It just will not connect to N. Awhile back I posted about it multiple times, tried to get help through Dell but they blamed it on a lack of Windows 7 drivers. I've been a bit lazy about giving it another try, but just giving you a headsup.


Pictures:

 

I doubt the problem is caused by using a HP/Lenovo/Whatever card. The chipset is the same inside and that's all that should matter.

Have you tried getting drivers direct from Intel?
How about checking to see if there's any power saving settings on? (for this right click on the adapter in network connections -> properties -> Driver or Advance and then uncheck the power settings.

 

just to remind you that inspiron 1420 uses full height mini-pcie cards..