CF-19 Wireless issue (again)

Hi,

Newbie here, so be gentle please.

Here's my dilemma, I recently purchased a CF-19DJBBXBM from ebay for a really good price and condition, but with no HDD, so I put a 500gb HDD in and installed Windows 7. Then downloaded the appropriate drivers for the OS as instructed in a thread here. All was well except for the GPS, (which I discovered was a com port issue and was resolved) I then added a wireless card (Dell minicard) into the correct slot after removing the back cover. The black and white cables were attached and the system booted, the card was found and drivers automatically installed but the adapter states it is not connected.

Wireless switch is disabled in bios and no third party connection software installed, wireless switch is turned on in the side compartment.

The unit was listed as wireless ready (which I assume means a wireless card can be popped in and away you go) a black antenna wire can be seen attached to a PCB inside the left hand side of the display.

However, upon further research I found that the D stands for Federal (no wireless)

I've tried a different wifi card but had the same results.

The threads I have read date from 2010, so is there a newer workaround for this issue?

Is this a lost cause? should I just buy a USB wifi?

 

Are you talking about WLAN/WIFI or WWAN?
What is the model of the card?
What is the BIOS version?

If it is a federal version with wireless locked out in the BIOS, a USB card will not work either.

 

Wireless ready refers to WWAN. Fools a lot of people. FYI.

 

Hi Jeff!

 

Hi

Thanks for the replies, I've just tried the unit with a usb card and it connected, just downloading windows updates now.

Could this be a software issue?

 

What is the model of the card?
The CF19 only accepts certain cards.
It originally came with a Intel 3945ABG. Try a Intel 3945

 

The first one I tried was bought from Bob Johnsons site, I gave them the model number, it installs as a Dell DM 1510

I have several old laptops kicking around I'll pull the cards and see if one is an intel.

 

It's either an Atheros or Broadcom...I have not tried a Broadcom, but I know some Atheros work and some do not...
I have an Atheros based high performance card in my CF19 mk2...
Bob Johnson usually does quite well...You may have another issue, but I would like you to try an Intel 3945 to rule out the possibility of a incompatible card..

Is the mechanical wireless switch turned on?

 

Yes, the mechanical switch is turned on, I think both the cards I've tried so far are broadcom

 

If you go to the first page of the BIOS..Press F2 while booting...
What version of the BIOS is listed?

 

I flashed the bios with the Vista upgrade from Panasonic

Bios is now V1.01L16
EC is now V1.10L11

 

I also tried three other cards two Atheros and a Broadcom

 

Start a private conversation with me..Send me your address and I will ship you an Intel 3945 card...

 

Frank Henry (19fhgaxam) is rolling along here with a 4965.

And Makulu Linux sees the Gobi card someone gave me. (It's a Samsung)05C6:9244.....just saying, no "working" progress yet. I'd hoped for a back-up GPS. Early days yet.

So do I install the backlit KB or sell it?(the KB) This 19 is going in Green Meanie. (Fire truck) Running MakuluLinux -9-lite with Foxtrot GPS.

Dinner is done. Adios.

 

"So do I install the backlit KB or sell it?"
if it were mine , i would opt for installing it .

 

Will this see much use at night. If not sell it.

 

I'll give you $10.00 and a coupon for a free Big Mac at your local McDonalds......

CF19F is mk2..4965
CF19D is mk1.. 3945 . 3965..Doesn't exist.....crud

PS...Jeff...New job as thread Hijaker?....Your welcome for the Samsung Gobi....you also have an Acer/Asus flavored one..

 

The interesting part is the number. Linux knew what it was and said so. lsusb (Where's the code thingy?)
Windows needs a pry bar.
I'll crawl back under the rock now.
3945 btw.

 

That is interesting....You did not look it up...

 

I forevermore looked it up my compadre. 45 minutes to 1 hour later I had it on W7. lsusb had it in a nano-second. "just saying" .......................................zips back under the rock.......

 

Just for future readers..
The original poster found an Atheros card that he had. It would not work until he did the pin 20 mod..

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/problems-upgrading-cf-30-internal-wireless.595917/

 

Hi

I cut the trace wire just below the pin 20 pad so if it didn't work it could easily be repaired. The card is working good.