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    Aftermarket Bluetooth add on card?

    Discussion in 'HP' started by alexjl, Dec 23, 2005.

  1. alexjl

    alexjl Notebook Consultant

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    alexjl, Dec 23, 2005
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  2. brianstretch

    brianstretch Notebook Virtuoso

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    That won't work. HP locks out non-HP miniPCI WiFi cards. To add Bluetooth you'll need a USB Bluetooth radio, and you might as well get one of the new Bluetooth 2.0 radios like this one:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833158122

    Its 1.2 predecessor came with the good Widcomm Bluetooth drivers.
     
    brianstretch, Dec 23, 2005
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  3. chinna_n

    chinna_n Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    Are we sure? Or we are just assuming that is the case? This specific card is for MSI notebook only though. Is it because it is only for MSI notebook? or is it because HP rejects any other card?(which I doubt). The Mini-PCI wireless card in my V2000z is nothing specific to HP. It is standard BroadComm Wireless Mini-PCI, and it is not branded by HP.( Even the device hardware strings has nothing pointing to HP).

    Ofcourse even if it works, I am not sure if it is worth it. Now Bluetooth V2.0 is finlaizing, I would buy something like this.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833202002

    This has 10 times more range than current versions, 4 times faster, backward compatible and cheaper.
     
    chinna_n, Dec 24, 2005
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  4. alexjl

    alexjl Notebook Consultant

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    I already have a bluetooh usb device. it sucks, but works.

    Is there any way to add this device to the inside of my comp or am i **** out of luck? Do most laptops have two mini pci slots or one?

    Worst comes to worse there are always usb versions of the crap im looking for anyway.
     
    alexjl, Dec 24, 2005
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  5. vassil_98

    vassil_98 Notebook Deity

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    Right now I'm wondering if I should buy a PCMCIA wireless card for my zv6000. I don't know if there are PCMCIA cards with wireless adaptor and bluetooth but it's an idea to look for.
    I don't like something sticking out of the computer, that's why I chose to buy a PCMCIA card
     
    vassil_98, Dec 24, 2005
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  6. alexjl

    alexjl Notebook Consultant

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    If I had two lots I would consider a PCMCIA card.
     
    alexjl, Dec 24, 2005
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  7. chinna_n

    chinna_n Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    But why do we need a Wireless? All of the laptops has Wireless G now-a-days.

    If you want Bluetooh PCMCIA lots available. this one from Belkin can also be used with PDA for around $30
    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...0012ORPQ/all/ref=dp_olp_2/104-2265335-1904762
     
    chinna_n, Dec 24, 2005
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  8. chinna_n

    chinna_n Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    Unfortunately most laptops now-a-days are coming with only one Mini-PCI slot.

    Even if you find a Mini-PCI card, you need to have antenna connection( it is another antenna along with wireless), which has to be routed. May be you can get away with a small wire stuffing it somewhere, but range may suck.

    If you donot mind price, best bet is buy it from HP as sparepart and install it. It is made by BroadCom and it is the best I heard.
     
    chinna_n, Dec 24, 2005
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  9. brianstretch

    brianstretch Notebook Virtuoso

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    Last I knew HP still had a "whitelist" in the BIOS that checks the PCI ID of the miniPCI card and only allows you to use the 2-3 cards they've approved. If you put in a different card the BIOS gives you an error message and won't let you boot. I found this out the hard way when I tried to swap in an Atheros card to replace the Linux-hostile Broadcom card HP uses. ndiswrapper has since been ported to 64-bit Linux so swapping cards is no longer as necessary but I'm still very annoyed at HP and Broadcom over this. HP says the FCC made them do it but no other manufacturer currently uses BIOS whitelists AFAIK.
    Yes, the MSI Star Key I linked to is Bluetooth 2.0 too.
     
    brianstretch, Dec 24, 2005
    #9