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    Does HP still whitelist WiFi cards?

    Discussion in 'HP' started by MGS2392, Aug 27, 2009.

  1. MGS2392

    MGS2392 NAND Cat!

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    A few years ago, there were a handful of angry people finding that they could only use HP approved wireless cards in their computers, due to a whitelist in the BIOS. Is that problem still here today? Reason why I'm asking is because I might want a EliteBook 8730w that comes refurb with no wireless. I was thinking the card from my nx9420 should do the trick.
     
    MGS2392, Aug 27, 2009
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  2. 2.0

    2.0 Former NBR Macro-Mod®

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    Yes they do still whitelist. Just check to see what card(s) are/were sold with the model you are looking to get and use one of those. If you're not sure what model wifi card was sold, D/L the service manual from HP's website. It lists all configurations.
     
    2.0, Aug 27, 2009
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  3. chrixx

    chrixx Product Specialist NBR Reviewer

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    As a test, I plugged in a Broadcom card from an HP Mini into an 8710w and I get the BIOS error, so the whitelist applies to HP's own part too.
     
    chrixx, Aug 27, 2009
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  4. OldMajorDave

    OldMajorDave Notebook Evangelist

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    It’s just crap that HP still maintains this practice. You'd think there had to be a better business model than whitelisting their own products and was a little more customer oriented. Guess not....
     
    OldMajorDave, Aug 31, 2009
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  5. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    I think you mean blacklisting. White listing is allowing only specific wifi cards to work. Black listing is the opposite.

    But anyway yeah this is a shame. I believe there was a tweak around this but it involved reflashing the BIOS which can be risky.
     
    flipfire, Aug 31, 2009
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  6. OldMajorDave

    OldMajorDave Notebook Evangelist

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    True..... but as you said.... these guys still use crowbars.

    Still too funny. :)
     
    OldMajorDave, Aug 31, 2009
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  7. aleicgrant

    aleicgrant Notebook Evangelist

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    yes but in some cases there is another slot right next to it which you can use. I was trying to upgrade to a Intel wifi 5300 and when I replaced the original I got the bios error. Using the slot next to it (YMMV) it worked just as expected. weird and stupid all in the same :)
     
    aleicgrant, Aug 31, 2009
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