Help w/Bigfoot 1103 installation on p170em

So my laptop arrived today! But of course it came 10 minutes before I had to leave for work, so haven't had a chance to set it up yet. I'm a little confused about installing my bigfoot killer 1103 wifi card. 2 problems:

1. Service manual says to "Remove the Top Cover Module" so that I can gain access to the keyboard screws? Do I just apply pressure upwards from the sides to make it pop off? The service manual shows an upward arrow motion, doesn't show any sort of screws or latches that need to be undone first.

2. How do I hook up the third antenna to the bigfoot card? More specifically, where is the third antanna connetion/cable? Is this a separate cable I need to purchase, or will there be a third connection waiting to be used? The service manual only shows two antenna hooked up for the stock wireless card.

 

There should be three antennas there. Here is a video that shows you how to remove that speaker grill. I would use something non marring but it looks like he uses a micro screwdriver.

Puget Systems Traverse Pro M550i Component Replacement - YouTube

 

you're lucky that laptop already has 3 antennas, because adding the third on the many that don't is a pain

 

It really depends on the model. MSI laptops based on the 16F2/16F3 and 1761/2 chassis are actually really simple to work on, even LCD removal is to install the antenna is easy.

Granted, a lot of people don't want to have to do such things, but it is easy to do on other some other laptops.

 

Wow, so this was a small PITA. Main problem ended up being removing the 5 screws that hold the keyboard in place. Those little suckers were screwed in ridiculously tight. I almost stripped one of the heads because it was so tight, endedup having to force a flathead into the screw to get it out. I even taped up my tools to give me extra grip.

Also, the service manual says to lift the keyboard gently after removing the screws, when in fact you need to gently slide the keyboard towards the screen before you can really lift it. I was starting to sweat thinking I was going to damage the keyboard.

Removing the top cover panel piece was easier than I thought it would be. I ended up using my finger nail to pop it off on both sides, and then gently slid my finger nail underneath to pop the rest out.

And for anyone else who does this with a P170em, the 3rd antenna plugs into the "CH2" plug.

I'm really digging the 1103 so far. When I'm on a 5ghz router, it is definitely way faster, and I like the software that comes with it. It's really nice to be able to give your current game/program top priority so all other connections don't interfere. Seems like there is a lot I can do with the software that I have yet to look into.

And thanks for the advice Yarii, video came in handy.

 

No problem mate. Glad nothing broke

 

Rofl I was like what does this have to do with the treatment of animals, then I realized what you really meant.