What do I need?

So in my efforts to upgrade my wifi card (Intel Tri-Band Wireless-AC 18265), I have found that (yet again) the adapter I bought does not work. Toughbook in question listed below. cf-31

 

Did you check the wifi card somewhere else?

 

In my experience Dell cards don't work in a Toughbook.

Can you try a Panasonic card?

 

What do you mean?

Dell? its an intel.

 

It's Intel for Dell.
How do you know your adapter doesn't work?

 

It doesn't fit. Can't find an adapter online that does.

 

Your adapter is full-size. Cut it's upper half to make it half Mini PCI-e.

 

The termination point doesn't fit.. the pins

 

Ah, I see. You need M2 type 2230 (not 2242) to Mini PCI-e.
Next problems are:
- Dell card may not work as @Geraout told you
- You'll need an antenna for 60 GHz WiGig (802.11ad)

 

ok ill keep searching for an A key adapter.
As far as the antenna goes, that is optional if i want to take advantage of that WiGig signal.

 

If you don't need wigig - there is absolutely no sense in this upgrade.

 

D P/N 04MPRF means "Dell Part Number 04MPRF".

There is a recent thread regarding Dell and Toshiba etc cards.

 

ad capability no?

So even if I found an adapter, your saying I wouldn't find drivers?

 

Not so much a driver issue but the Toughbook doesn't recognize Dell cards. They don't show up in Device Manager as if the card is not installed.

More info in the other thread mentioned.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/cf-53-mk4-wifi-bt-card-replace-help.833248/

 

What about this? DP/N: 8GJD6
I know it still says dell, but the part# is different.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Latitude-5...186774?hash=item5468b8af16:g:GfcAAOSwprtcPhdb

I'm learning so much from all these mistakes... thank you guys so much. *thumbs up*

 

802.11ad = WiGig
If you're not going to use it, 7260=18265, there is no sense to upgrade.

 

18265 is form factor M.2 3030 (30 mm x 30 mm x 2.4 mm) which is practically a 8265 + BT + WiGig. Get a 8265 and it might work but only the WiFi. You will need to modify the BIOS to make the BT work and see it in BIOS. Second issue will be the antenna cables. I see you try to install it in a miniPCIe adapter. Usually miniPCIe cards use U.FL connectors which are bigger and the M.2 cards use MHF.4 connectors which are smaller.

 

And 8265 is not better than 7260. I would upgrade to something Qualcomm Atheros to avoid Intel's problems with drivers, but I need bluetooth...

 

Intel make cards for many manufacturers but does not mean they will work. Toughbooks are different and they only recognize ones that were made for them. You need to find one from a Toughbook and only a Toughbook. If you have one from an Acer , Dell or what ever brand it will not work period. You need to buy one from a Toughbook reseller that knows what he's talking about not just someone on eBay that says it might work. Most sellers do not know that cards only fit certain ones. Just because it's an Intel card they think it works. Not true. This why you are having the problem the BIOS is not seeing the card because it knows it not a branded Toughbook part. Before buying one from a seller ask him if this works in a Toughbook and tell them why you asking them this. Let's just say to make this easier Toughbooks cards are locked to Toughbooks. Put one in it and it will recognize it and work.

 

reading material

NGFF/M2 modules have different connectors for wireless and SSD.
The 2230/2242/2260/2280 refers to the length of the card. A/B/E/M refers to the connector /socket configuration.

https://www.deskdecode.com/m-2-to-m...ld-laptop-types-benefit-issues-compatibility/

https://www.dell.com/support/articl...ish-the-differences-between-m-2-cards?lang=en

https://rog.asus.com/articles/guides/buying-an-m-2-ssd-how-to-tell-which-is-which/

https://www.atpinc.com/blog/what-is-m.2-M-B-BM-key-socket-3

Once you get the proper NGFF/M2 to MPCIE adapter we can go from there.
Dell WIFI cards usually do work in a Toughbook in the wifi slot. The Dell WWAN cards will not work..
Without modding the BIOS, the non stock card will NOT have Bluetooth.
I did have success by installing a twin wifi card in the WWAN slot and that Bluetooth worked on a FZ-G1
The non stock WIFI card will NOT show in bios, but with the proper driver, it should connect and function in Windows.

The NGFF/M2 wireless cards have smaller antenna connectors and need to be adapted.

 

Yes I found an adapter for the card and bought some u.fl to MHF4 antennas

I have yet to plug in a new card. so no BIOS issues yet. lol The problem is physical fit. But now that I know that only certain cards will work with certain laptops, I will probably start running into software issues once I plug one in. again, learning so much...

 

Ive never had success with Bluetooth and actually getting it to properly work on my Toughbook (using 7260 card).
I finally found a proper A/E key adapter yesterday on ebay (Adapter Card M.2 NGFF To Mini PCI-E For Laptop PC Electric Bluetooth)

and wifi card (Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265NGW Bluetooth NGFF P/N 851594-001 / 01AX704)
Wish me luck!!

EDIT Literally the best visual depictions ive seen to distinguish these cards... thank you

Really? ok recommendations?

 

7260 )

 

HMM, ok i have an intel 7260 already.... guess ill return the other card...

 

If you want to play with a faster/better wifi card, try a Broadcom/Dell DW1830.
NGFF/M2 form factor but it uses 3 antennas.
Worked in my FZ-G1

DW1830 AC BCM943602 NGFF M.2 1300Mbps BT4.1

 

wow cool, thank you

EDIT Any US sellers with better feedback?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-D...859372?hash=item3d9a3f85ec:g:lg0AAOSwwgVeBymj