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Install Wireless Card
My girlfriend has an Inspiron 5150. She is moving to a house that only has wireless connections. She didnt get the wireless option when she bought the laptop new. I have looked on ebay and I see that there are people selling the mini pc cards that go into the slot on the bottom of the laptop.
Question is that I see like 3 different brands of these cards. There is an intel 2100 and 2200. And then there is a broadcom one. Which one is the best? And does this laptop have the internal antenna installed? Any special tools needed to plug the antenna to the card?
Thanks!
Question is that I see like 3 different brands of these cards. There is an intel 2100 and 2200. And then there is a broadcom one. Which one is the best? And does this laptop have the internal antenna installed? Any special tools needed to plug the antenna to the card?
Thanks!
RGT1
97 Posts
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June 29th, 2006 22:00
Look here for Wireless Adapters:
http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCategory.asp?SubCategory=34
RGT
rwm32
557 Posts
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June 30th, 2006 06:00
Yes, the 5150 has built in antennae. No, you don't need special tools to fit a mini-PCI wireless card, only a small cross-head screwdriver to open the bay on the underside of the 5150. The antenna fittings are press-on. You may need to enable wireless in the BIOS.
There are very many more than 3 different cards to choose from -- keep looking! New cards are not necessarily expensive, for example, the Intel 2200BG. We've got three laptops using that card without any problems. I use the Windows Zero Config app with them rather than Intel's PRO/Wireless software. Having said that, you need to be aware that the 2200BG has been the subject of negative posts here and elsewhere.
311Sam
20 Posts
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June 30th, 2006 15:00
how much does dell charge for one new or should i just go with ebay?
Message Edited by 311Sam on 06-30-200611:59 AM
rwm32
557 Posts
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June 30th, 2006 20:00
I believe that's a Broadcom card underneath the Dell wrapping... Should be just fine. Being in the UK, I can't help too much on pricing, except to say that Dell will probably be the most expensive option. You should be able to get a mini-PCI Broadcom 802.11a/b/g card new for significantly less than Dell will charge.
Re: fitting the card, here's a link to the relevant page of the service manual:
http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins5100/en/sm/upgrades.htm#1105550
Message Edited by rwm32 on 06-30-200610:13 PM