Please read, how do you upgrade your WIFI card? Pictures included

I have never in my life changed a WIFI card. I was going to bring it to a computer place to do it, but they seemed as confident as I was lol.....

Here is the back of the exact laptop that I am looking to upgrade the WIFI card in. Looking to upgrade to either an Intel Centrino 6200 or 6250.



What do I physically do to swap out a WIFI card? And what do I do once I actually plug in the new WIFI card? I am referring to, do I take out the old software and drivers for the old WIFI card? Where do I get the new drivers and software for the new WIFI card? And what software and drivers do I need to install for the new WIFI card to work like if it came from factory?

 

the link doesn't show the laptop. what model?

 

yeah the link doesn't really go anywhere. in MOST laptops its ver easily accessible and it just pulls out with one screw removed. then you just plug the other one in it much like a ram upgrade. SOME laptops are more difficult to do , so if you tell me exactly what laptop you have i can walk you through it.

 

Sorry, that the link didnt work.

It is the Toshiba M645-S4055.....The picture was sent to me from a fellow forum member and it was a picture with the back access panels off and you can clearly see the WIFI card and the two little antenna's connected to the WIFI card.


Edit: I am going to try to contact forum member "TChicken" which has been so helpful for me to make my decision on the Toshiba M645-S4055 and is the very helpful person that took the pictures for me as well. I'll see if he can attach the picture to this thread.

 

Here is the picture:


It should be a simple swap right? Plug in the new wi-fi card, laptop reads it, get drivers, then profit right?

EDIT: Horrible grammar mistake on my part. Never send messages on a phone. ;_;

 

Ideally, you'd get drivers first.
Make sure you have the correct form factor. From here, it looks like it is a half size mini-pcie card

 

yep thats a half height there in the bottom left. a full length mini card wont fit

 

The WIFI card I am looking to purchase is the Intel Centrino 6250:

http://download.intel.com/network/connectivity/products/wireless/adapters/6250/323018.pdf

That should fit, right?

 

yep ( 10 char )

 

I ordered last night the laptop, Toshiba M645-S4055, and the Intel Centrino 6250 WIFI card. Please assist me with some instructions

 

just curious, why are you so anxious to change it? That model appears to come with an N card already?

 

I want the laptop to be WIDI compatible and to be that it has to have either an Intel Centrino 1000, 6200, 6250, or 6300 WIFI card. The rest of the laptop has all the specs needed to make it WIDI compatible it just needs the correct WIFI card and the software.

The M645-S4055 has everything I want in a laptop besides coming from factory being WIDI compatible, that is why I want to upgrade the card to make it WIDI enabled then I will have my perfect machine.

 

Ok, here we go Make sure everything is unplugged(I.e. Power cord and battery) Get your drivers for the new card as Windows 7 will not pick it up. (use either 64 bit or 32 bit depending on what version of windows your system has installed)
64bit version:
Intel® PROSet/Wireless Advanced Enterprise Software for Windows 7 64-Bit*

32bit version:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=19234&ProdId=3199&lang=eng
Put them on a cd or flashdrive.

1)remove the backplate.
2)remove the screws marked on the picture.(Green and Blue)
3)Replace the HDD and the Wifi Card.(to remove the plugs on the wifi card use the tip of a small flathead screw driver and just pop them off)
4) make sure you put the plugs back exactly how they where for your wifi card.(Orange)
5) Close everything back up and install your OS and/or drivers.
6)Enjoy
7)post back your results

Picture:

Make sure you are grounded(just touch something metal before you start working on it to discharge or wear an anti-static bracelet) and do not use a magnetic screwdriver to remove your hard drive. (you may possibly Short it)
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