v505dc2 & intel mini-pci wireless card

I tried to install an intel mini-pci to my sony pcg-v505dc2. After put the card into the machine, it recorgnized the card and load the driver correctly. But when I tried to turn the radio on, it always complaining the radio is turned off by the hardware switch.

Doesn't any one have any idea?

I guess, the intel 2915bag card is taking message from the laptop, maybe there is a switch or jump on the motherborad, or maybe I can short some pins on the intel card?

Thanks.

 

Are you connected via LAN at the time of turning on the WLAN? The reason I ask is because my HP nx8220 has a power save feature that will automatically switch (power on/off) between LAN & WLAN depending on which is connected. If LAN is connected, WLAN will not turn on.

Also, if WLAN is on and you connect the LAN cable, WLAN will turn off. This feature is set in the BIOS, so you may want to check to see if it's an option in your notebook or just unplug the LAN cable when you try turning on the WLAN. Another thing to check is to make sure you're also turning on the WLAN card using the switch (Fn+F key or a physical switch/button on the unit to turn it on/off). I'm sure your unit will have one of these switches/buttons as I it's a requirement on all notebooks with with a WLAN option.

If none of that works, it's possible this card doesn't work in your system. I have heard of manufacturers locking their systems to only use a specific card. Any other card used will give an error. Check to make sure this card is compatible with your system.

-Vb-

 

Thanks for the replying.

I think my V505DC2 is different. I wasn't using LAN at the time when I tried to install the card.

I don't have softkey or hardware swtich on my laptop to on and off the internal wireless card. I think that's the problem.

Actually the machine recorgnized the card and marked the card as working fine. I think because I don't have the sortkey or hardware switch to control the wireless, I guess the motherboard default sends "disable wireless radio" message to the intel card, just like you use the softkey or hardware switch to turn the wireless off.

I'm hoping the "enable wireless radio" just as simple as short some pins on the intel cards or there is a jumper/dip switch on motherboard which can be changed.

My V505DC2 doesn't come with built-in wireless card, but it has mini-pci slot. I think once I can give the intel card the "enable wireless radio" signal, it will work.

Thanks again.

 

if you have a mini-pci slot, you should have a key function to turn the wifi on and off...

check your BIOS to see what it might be. there should also be some graphic on your keyboard showing what key combo it is.

 

Thanks Drumfu.

On the v505 serial, Sony uses hardware switch and I saw the hardware switch on different configuration of the same serial. Sony doesn't use softkey, which means there is no key for on/off wireless. I did try the normal softkey like on Dell, fn+F2. Didn't work.

I think sony just doesn't like that you buy a non-wireless version, then upgrade to a wireless version. The difference between a wireless version and non-wireless version is bigger than just buying a mini-pci wireless card. They may just by default disable the wireless radio on the motherboard.

I just try to see if other people find way to round that.

 

did u check the BIOS to see if the hardware switch is turned off?

 

Here's a review that ABaxter did on the Sony v505EX which has the WIFI switch located on the front left side.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=1079

If your unit doesn't have this switch externally, it may still be located internally. You may have to open up your unit a see if that switch exists on the notebooks systemboard. If it does, al lyou gotta do is flip the switch and you're done.

-Vb-

 

Thanks Drumfu.

I checked the BIOS, not two much related to network.


Vernombite,

The switch you mentioned is exactly the problem. Mine doesn't have the external switch on the left side, also I opened the case already but I'm out of luck to find a internal one on the surface of the MB. I really don't want to dis-assemble the whole laptop. It takes lots of time.

What I'm hoping now is that, the intel card just use two pins on the card to detect something like short. If that's the case, I can just short those two pins. I remembered long long time ago, I covered some pins on the slot celeron CPU, but I forgot wheter I was going for oc or dual CPU.

Thanks.

 

Again, i recomend you check your BIOS. There is often an option that appears when inserting a mini-pci wireless card to hardware enable/disable it through the bios (before you can press the button on/off on your notebook)

 

Apocolipse269,

Thanks. Checking the BIOS was the first thing I did when I saw the error. But I might unplug the card when I did the checking. It's a good point to check the BIOS when the card is installed. Hopefully the option for wireless just disabled if you don't have the card installed.

 

Found the solution.

Actually there is a switch on MB. But it's hard to find it at the first glance. It's under PCMCIA slot. You have to move the PCMCIA slot away from the MB, then you will find it.

Thanks for all the message from you guys.

Have a nice day.

 

Sorry to bump this back up but was wondering what the model for this mini-pci card is. Ive been dying trying to find one for my V505pc2 laptop as well. This USB wireless has been such a pain, already broke two of them.

Thanks
Dixit

 

Hello, folks. I am going for the upgrade now on my V505acp.

For some three years now I've been using pcmcia adapters in this laptop but there was a strange issue with it. In word for such adapters to work, I had insert them with a little upward "force". Unless I did it, the adapter wasn't recognized by the computer. Three years of this procedure, the pccard slot eventually cracked...

The USB dongle is not a good option because this unit has only USB1.1 ports and connection would be slow.

I live in Brazil and hardware parts are not easy or cheap to buy down here. I already bought the mini PCI card (an intel 220bg) and a pair of toshiba antennas (yeah, mine didn't come pre-installed with wifi antennas and I will have to disassemble the LCD - hard work).

I have been looking inside the case before so my question is: how is this switch like? Is it a black plastic switch that is located on the same little board as the sound jacks? I guess it is. I have seen other wireless V505 and it would make sense the position of the switch there. I have this doudt because mmriver9999 mentioned it was located under the pcmcia slot...

How does it work? "Open" (unpressed) means mini PCI off? Or the contrary?

I really appreciate your inputs.

FlyOIB

 

Just an update:

I have been able to install the hardware and it works fine!!! I have posted a step-by-step procedure with pictures in this site http://www.forumpcs.com.br/viewtopic.php?t=156624.
Unfortunately, it is in Portuguese. If any one has a doubt or comment, please let me know.

Regards,

FlyOIB.