Mini PCI wireless network card

Ronaldo · 15 Dec 2006 at 00:53

Hi guys was thinking of getting a mini PCI wireless network card for my Pavilion ZE4258 but not sure if it wil work as i dont know if its got a antanna.

How do i find out if it has? or do the card have one inside?

cheers

Fothsn · 15 Dec 2006 at 01:06

Ronaldo the antenna is wrapped around the inner of the LCD casing. Just pick up a compatable laptop wireless card and you will be ok

you wont have to worry about the antenna etc..

Edit: Ignore the above about the antenna around the case

Ive just found an internal card compatable with your laptop, which has a built in antenna, actually on the card.. one of these so yeah you will be ok

Clarkey · 15 Dec 2006 at 01:15

i dont see why you can't. Worth a punt for the tenner you can pick up an intel card for.

Ronaldo · 15 Dec 2006 at 01:23

fothsn said:
Ronaldo the antenna is wrapped around the inner of the LCD casing. Just pick up a compatable laptop wireless card and you will be ok you wont have to worry about the antenna etc..

Edit: Ignore the above about the antenna around the case Ive just found an internal card compatable with your laptop, which has a built in antenna, actually on the card.. one of these so yeah you will be ok

what is that card? maybe i'll find it on bay.

Fothsn · 15 Dec 2006 at 01:26

Yep it can be found on the bay, NEW Broadcom BCM94306MP Mini-PCI 802.11b/g WLAN Card, the auction is american though.. you might get it shipped over here.

Ronaldo · 15 Dec 2006 at 01:26

Thanks guys

ns400r · 15 Dec 2006 at 03:19

Where is the aerial on that card? Because I don't see one!

Also, double check that you laptop actually has an aerial already fitted and ready to connect to any card you buy, not all do.

Curiosityx · 15 Dec 2006 at 14:54

Laptop wireless antenas are either build into the Mini Pci card or the laptop itself quite often within the monitor casing.

Ronaldo · 19 Dec 2006 at 14:04

well i got mine today but its signal is not very good. can even find my wireless router 1 floor down or even 1 room away.

i think i should have just got a better PCMCIA

Kol · 19 Dec 2006 at 14:08

Ronaldo said:
well i got mine today but its signal is not very good. can even find my wireless router 1 floor down or even 1 room away.

i think i should have just got a better PCMCIA

Does it actually have an aerial built in though? If not, they're fairly cheap and reasonably simple to install. Not to mentioned mini pci is neater than having a pcmcia card sticking out!

benjo plz. · 19 Dec 2006 at 19:41

Mini Pci > Pcmcia.

If your laptop has a minipci port, it's going to have an inbuilt antenna. If you open up the panel where the port is, there should be two wires (ones usually black and ones usually white) which are attached to the antenna.

The intel 29xxs or the Gigabyte WIA02's are both good cards. Dunno about cards having antennas built into them though, sounds a bit like BS.

Ronaldo · 19 Dec 2006 at 23:41

Hi guys thanks for reply.

There is not wire in the mini PCI slot (which is under the lappy) I did see a cable going through on the side (black)

I'v seen them antanna cables they cost same as the card LOL but where would i put it without taking the lappy apart?

ok this might be stupid but what if i connected wires from the card to the metal surrounding? bad idea?

Ronaldo · 19 Dec 2006 at 23:46

Ok i found a service manual which says there is antanna for my model but i cant see it. I got lappy off ebay and the seller bought a refurbished one him self.

link to specks
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17662918

benjo plz. · 19 Dec 2006 at 23:47

Can you get a better photo of that?

Ronaldo · 20 Dec 2006 at 00:16

stupid thing didnt have antanna!

I took it apart and i got 1 screw left over LOL

Ronaldo · 20 Dec 2006 at 01:09

here is the manual pic, i didnt see no cables but i didnt take mobo out.

any ways if i buy a cable where would i connect it to or lay it because i really dont want to take the whole thing apart and lose more screws

ns400r · 20 Dec 2006 at 10:26

ns400r said:
Where is the aerial on that card? Because I don't see one!

Also, double check that you laptop actually has an aerial already fitted and ready to connect to any card you buy, not all do.

benjo plz. · 20 Dec 2006 at 12:45

mpci cards generally don't have antennas (as far as I know

), they have hirose micro connector (or something similar) which connects to the internal antenna in the laptop.

ns400r · 20 Dec 2006 at 13:53

Ronaldo said:
here is the manual pic, i didnt see no cables but i didnt take mobo out.

any ways if i buy a cable where would i connect it to or lay it because i really dont want to take the whole thing apart and lose more screws

That image clearly shows an aerial for the wireless card.

Ronaldo · 20 Dec 2006 at 14:23

yes but i did not find any.

if i bought some antennas do i have to install it like the original? I really dont want to take the whole thing apart again.