Replacing wireless mini-card with upgrade

I have an older HP Pavillion dv 6000 (dv6830ed). Now this laptop has wireless g (HP spare part 459263-002). I'd like to know if it is possible to not replace this faulty card with the same but with a Wireless-N capable mini-card (saves me an annoying usb dongle). The laptop is the only computer in the network not able to do wireless-N and it would be nice to get it upgraded.

The laptop is running Win7 so I guess obtaining drivers for a N mini-card won't be a problem.

If this is possible, could you please point me to which part I should order at HP or whatever card that will fit?

Best regards

 

I can't give specifics for you, but any Wireless mini PCI card that has the same number of antennae connections as what you currently have should be compatible.

The #'s of connections are the key, I think (they must match).

Note though that you still may not be able to connect at 300Mb/s speeds. The 5GHz radio that an N Router uses will not match up to the 2.5Ghz tuned antennae that is in your notebook.

Good luck.

 

If you want to use one of the smaller half size wireless cards, you'll need one of these: bracket of mini half intel 6300 6200 wlan card to pci-e - eBay (item 140448416442 end time Oct-02-10 09:31:55 PDT)

 

While this probably isn't an issue with consumer-line laptops, HP is one of several brands whose business laptops have a BIOS configured to only allow approved wireless cards. To the OP: I'd definitely check the HP forum here to see what cards other users of your same model of laptop have been successful.

I have also found that some AMD-CPU laptops don't always like Intel wireless cards. If the OP has an AMD-based model, I'd look for a Broadcom or Atheros-based wireless card.

 

While this probably isn't an issue with consumer-line laptops, HP is one of several brands whose business laptops have a BIOS configured to only allow approved wireless cards. To the OP: I'd definitely check the HP forum here to see what cards other users of your same model of laptop have been successful.

I have also found that some AMD-CPU laptops don't always like Intel wireless cards (an issue with their mainboard chipsets). If the OP has an AMD-based model, I'd look for a Broadcom or Atheros-based wireless card.

EDIT: I found the specs; it's an Intel T8100 CPU. Not that old.

It uses a Broadcom-chipset Mini-PCIe card which has two antenna leads. There probably isn't a third lead for a 3x3 N-Card, so I'd probably go with an Intel 5100 wireless card. It's entirely possible to use a card with three antenna leads, but if you only have two antenna leads in your system, you won't end up benefiting from it unless you buy a third antenna lead and hack it in.

Don't know if you're in the US, but they're available quite cheap on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Intel-512AN-MMW...227?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41512db13b

 

Good point about BIOS 'locked' hardware.

 

Thanks for all the very quick answers! I'll start investigating the possible bios problem. The mentioned card is easy to find on ebay so that won't be a problem.
It seems that this card (Intel 512AN 5100) is equipped with two antenna connectors, so no problems there. It's available in half and 'normal' size so the normal size should fit right in. It's only 9 euros (no shipping fee!)
Well, on to make sure the bios won't mess up this still better looking plan

Regards

 

I came across this card on ebay: HP BCM94321MC 802.11 a-b-g-n PCIe Mini Wireless NEW on eBay!

It's Broadcom like I have now. Would that eliminate to possible bios problem? The card is more expensive, but if it will work without problems....
Besides the money is there anything to say about how these cards perform? Is their an advantage of using an intel?
I see at http://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Forum-Wifi-WWAN-Whitelist-Removal?page=3 that it is possible to get the bios fixed.


edit: I just keep on asking I see that the 5100 cards is getting some bad reviews to the 5300. I found a third antenne on ebay for 6 euro so that's no problem. The bios can be adapted. Does it matter how the antenna is fixed in the casing of the laptop? Seems that a 5300 with an antennen and bios mod should do the trick. All done below 20 euro's.

Regards

 

Your possible solution should do the trick - but are you willing to take your screen apart to install the 3rd antenna properly?

 

Well that's a good question. I'm kinda scared to do so, but step by step I should be fine (have been fiddling with hardware for years, but laptops always seem to be very reluctant in cooperating )

If anyone wants to try the same this is my order:

Card: Intel 5300 AGN (ebay) Intel wifi link 5300 agn pcie wireless N card 533AN_MMW - eBay PCI Wireless Cards, Accessories Parts Components, Wireless Networking, Networking, Computing. (Eindtijd 09-sep-10 10:32:31 CEST) (17 euro)
Antenna: (ebay): the third MIMO Antenna 4 802.11N AR5008 4965AGN 5300AGN - eBay, Other, Computer Accessories, Computers Networking. (Eindtijd 27-sep-10 04:29:41 CEST)
HP Bios Flash: HP Pavilion dv6700(t) CTO Whitelist

I'll let you know how everything turned out after the parts arrived.

Regards

 

I would get the 5100, I've had 2 laptops with 5100's in them, and they worked great! At 30 feet from an N router I was getting 68MBPS.

 

The card that I linked to in my post is an HP-branded Intel 5100. I believe it will work fine in your system.

The bad reviews of the 5100 are probably people who don't really know the difference, but know that the 5300 is "better". While the 5300 has more transmit/receive channels than the 5100, it only amounts to higher speeds/better throughput if you have an N-access point that supports 450Mbps speeds. The 5300 has slightly better performance in noisy environments as well, but in the real world, the 5100 works just fine. I have no qualms about recommending one.

Don't try flashing your HP's BIOS until you're sure the 5300 you got doesn't work. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Opening a display bezel to install a third antenna is really about being patient, and taking your time. I use a penknife blade, and/or a flathead jeweler's screwdriver.

 

Hi Powadha
Thanks for this thread. I am following you and have purchased the 5300 and the antennae from your links. I'm gonna upgrade my Acer TM 6592G.

I should have the parts here within a week. I'll let you know how I get on. I am dreading opening the screen side.

Does anyone know, will the 5300 work to some degree on just 2 antennae ?

 

it will work.. but instead of top speed of 450Mbs u get 300Mbs just like the 5100.. the only reason i would get it would be because its a pro card with better signal capture abilities i think.

 

You'll only get those better abilities by having the third antenna lead.

 

Just to update anyone who might be interested, the 5300 is causing me heartache. See new thread here
http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...-intel-5300-mini-pcie-wifi-card-problems.html