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    Does HP have a "special" version of the 4965AGN?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by PipChaos, Apr 2, 2008.

  1. PipChaos

    PipChaos Newbie

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    I'm looking at acquiring an 8710w as my new work laptop. Unfortunately the price jump between a model without Wireless N (RM264UT) and one with N (RM302UT), is $500. Since that's the only feature I'd like out of the more expensive version, I can't justify the cost. I see that ebay has quite a few Intel 4965AGN cards, most of them with Dell part numbers on them. With the wireless network card whitelist on HP's, will a dell branded card work in a 8710w? Has HP fiddled with the 4965AGN put in the more expensive 8710w's and created special versions just for HP use? Thanks!
     
    PipChaos, Apr 2, 2008
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  2. nobscot6

    nobscot6 Wise One

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    i don't know the specifics that you are asking, but the 4965 agn card does not play nice with d-link, linksys, netgear etc., routers. they are usually limited to 130mbps....... due to the fact that each laptop maker can mod the oem card/antennae setup. They may just have 2 antennae instead of 3, or even though the card works w/ 2.4 and 5 mhz, the most popular/affordable routers are not dual band, just single band- 2.4....

    try matching a same make usb adapter or a express card to the router to get full benefits of the N protocol- 270-300mbps
     
    nobscot6, Apr 2, 2008
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  3. PipChaos

    PipChaos Newbie

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    Well, that's very disappointing. As for specifics, I've learned though reading that HP has entries in their laptop's BIOS that restricts what wireless card you can use. Try and use a non approved card, and the laptop won't post or boot. The 8710w has the 4965AGN as an option, but the one I'm considering doesn't have it equipped. Since this is a pretty popular card I wondered if I can get any 4965AGN and install it later, replacing the non-n card. If HP puts any specific info in their version of the 4965AGN that tells the laptop, "hey, I'm an HP version of this common card" then I can't buy a Dell branded one and insert it. The version with the HP spare part number on it runs around $100 on ebay, Dell branded runs $20. Since this would be coming out of my pocket, and not my employer's, $20 sounds better to me :) Reading the technical service manual for the 8710w shows it does have 3 antennae, so that's a plus.
     
    PipChaos, Apr 2, 2008
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  4. brianstretch

    brianstretch Notebook Virtuoso

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    If HP includes all 3 antennas even when you order an 802.11g card, buying the $100 HP WiFi card and swapping it in should work nicely. Whether HP is polite enough to include all 3 antennas... you'll have to let us know. Wait on ordering the card until after you've checked.

    Yeah, that BIOS whitelist is infuriating. I ran into it years ago when I tried to swap an Atheros card into my zv5000z to replace the Linux-hostile Broadcom card HP included.
     
    brianstretch, Apr 2, 2008
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