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    Intel wifi 6200 in 2nd gen Vaio Z?

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Uluquai, Oct 4, 2010.

  1. Uluquai

    Uluquai Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,

    it would be very nice if someone could help me out with this.
    I've found some threads where people upgraded their 5100 card to a 5300, but I didn't find anything about those older Z models regarding an upgrade from intel wifilink 5100 to advanced n 6200.

    Would this be possible? As I understand the Z models use a half length pcie mini card and I'm unable to get a hold of any 5300 half mini card. Also the 6200 seems to be perfect in that it only makes use of 2 antennas.

    My greatest concern are the sony utilities/drivers. In my experience if you don't use sony drivers the wireless switch utility won't detect any wlan card thus rendering the card non functional.

    So, do you think this would work or does anyone have experience with such an upgrade?

    Thank you VERY much!!

    Max
     
    Uluquai, Oct 4, 2010
    #1
  2. StefanHamminga

    StefanHamminga Notebook Consultant

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    Well, i actually upgraded the Intel 6200 in my Z12 to an Atheros AR9280 (also 2x2) and the Sony utility does indeed not list it, but the hardware switch works just fine on the 'unrecognized' card and the card is completely functional in Windows 7 64.
     
    StefanHamminga, Oct 4, 2010
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  3. Uluquai

    Uluquai Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thank you StefanHamminga,

    could you think of any possibility why a 6200 couldn't work?

    Anyone successfully upgraded an old z that came with an intel 5100 wifi card to a new generation intel card?

    Thanks!
     
    Uluquai, Oct 4, 2010
    #3
  4. H.A.L. 9000

    H.A.L. 9000 Occam's Chainsaw

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    The 6200 will work just fine. As would any other half Mini-PCIe WiFi card. Intel, Atheros, Broadcom...
     
    H.A.L. 9000, Oct 4, 2010
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  5. Uluquai

    Uluquai Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks ;-)
     
    Uluquai, Oct 4, 2010
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  6. arth1

    arth1 a҉r҉t҉h

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    Just beware that there are a LOT of fake 6200 and 6300 cards out there -- a Chinese factory apparently got 5300 blueprints, and started churning out fake copies. A reflash with a 6200 engineering sample firmware and a sticker saying 6200, and most users won't notice that it's not the real thing. Unless they do things like running it against a channel aggregating router (only 2-3 exist) and still don't get speeds above 150 kpbs, or try to run it under Linux, and the drivers won't load due to firmware mismatch...

    The rule of thumb is to only buy from reputable retailers at full price. If the price seems low, it's probably fake.
     
    arth1, Oct 4, 2010
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  7. Uluquai

    Uluquai Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey, thanks a lot for the warning! I'll watch out!
     
    Uluquai, Oct 4, 2010
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  8. beaups

    beaups New Jack Hustler

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    PM me if you want the 6200 from my VPC-Z. I replaced it with a broadcom card due to some specific compatibilities I needed.
     
    beaups, Oct 4, 2010
    #8
  9. Uluquai

    Uluquai Notebook Enthusiast

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    pm sent, thanks for your offer, however I'm from Europe, so this might be difficult if you are not..
     
    Uluquai, Oct 4, 2010
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  10. mertd93

    mertd93 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just upgraded to the intel 6200 from my original intel 5100, installation was a breeze and it used the same drivers and software 13.4.0.9 is the latest.
     
    mertd93, Jan 15, 2011
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  11. hippotek

    hippotek Notebook Enthusiast

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    hippotek, Jan 16, 2011
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  12. Qwaarjet

    Qwaarjet Notebook Deity

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    What's the most noticeable difference between the 6200 and the atheros card?
     
    Qwaarjet, Jan 16, 2011
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  13. StefanHamminga

    StefanHamminga Notebook Consultant

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    Well, for me it seems to have a bit better reception, it will pick up more networks and from a larger distance than the Intel card. You can use the very configurable drivers from here:

    Latest Atheros modded Driver for Windws 7, Vista and WinXP - LaptopVideo2Go Forums

    Besides that they have all the usual bells and whistles, 2.4 and 5 GHz at 20 and 40MHz modes, power management for the card and the bus, etc...
     
    StefanHamminga, Jan 17, 2011
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  14. Qwaarjet

    Qwaarjet Notebook Deity

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    damnit, i don't have a single issue with my wifi, yet you still managed to give me the upgrade itch :|
     
    Qwaarjet, Jan 17, 2011
    #14