Upgrade DV5T Broadcom to Intel 5100AGN

So I've been having trouble with my broadcom card in my DV5T under linux. (Arch) Low range is the only problem really. I'm using the new broadcom-wl drivers. I haven't been able to get the ndiswrapper ones to work, but I heard they're worse anyway - but anyway...

If I were to get my hands on a mini pci Intel 5100AGN how difficult/dangerous of breaking things would it be to replace? If it's easy to do I'll probably just go for it, as it's a better card anyway.

Another question. Would it be doable and wise to get a newer/better intel card (namely, intel 5300)? If there's little difference, I wouldn't bother. Just wondering if the DV5T would support whatever I put into it and what sort of things I should be looking for.

Thanks in advance.

 

the 5100 is a half length mini pcie wireless card. Most likely it is used because the system can only fit half length wireless cards. I am not sure if the intel 5300 is offered in a half length card.
If it is, it is a very easy upgrade.
ALl you need to do is get to the wireless card (may require you to take your system apart)
than unscrew the two screws which hold the card down and than remove it
Than install teh new one, and screw it down.
Than all you need is to install the proper drivers and than you can use the new wireless card.

K-TRON

 

Are you sure the HP Dv5T's card slot is half mini? I'm just wondering because the Wifi Link 5100s that I've been looking at claim to have both half mini and mini, and the ones I find online seem to be all mini.

 

a friend has a dv7t, and the wireless card in his is half length. It is probably the same for the dv5t.
The only way to know for sure is to look under the lower panels on your laptop. You should find a panel which houses the wireless cards. From their you can find out if the wireless card is full length or half length

K-TRON

 

Dont forget about the hp bios whitelist. You cant use any wireless card unless the bios accepts it. So mainly any card shipper with a dv5 will work but anything else dont think about it. When you boot it will give you a warning like " Unsupported wireless card remove before you continue "

 

Just for information's sake I opened up my notebook and found out that the card was about 50mm by 30mm, which wikipedia tells me is standard mini PCI-E (not half).

Thanks for the info on the whitelist. I was thinking about going for the intel 5300, but not anymore. (I also found out it is the same thing with 3 antennas. )