Laptop Internal WIFI Need Advice

[Jonj1611]

Hi,

Ok, bought a cheap HP Compaq NX9005 and low and behold it was cheap as there seems to be a lot of things wrong with it, to be honest I didn't pay much, and my fault didnt test it either but the keyboard didn't work, well 2 keys did, so ordered a new one but I was wondering why the wifi wasn't being detected, turned it over and there is no wifi card in it.

Ok, so had a look around the internet and to be honest I am getting confused, seems one size doesnt fit all. Would anyone know what internal wifi card would be compatible with this model? Additionally the laptop didn't come with antennas, where the hell do you get them from?

Thanks for any advice, I have seen a couple of places where it says a card is compatible, but then another site which contradicts the first :/

[MaddAussie]

If its not got antennas the they might be a pain in the bum to fit, you might be better off getting one of these.

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/edima...ss-usb-adaptor

I had one in my desktop when i was working away from home and it was fine. Its very small too

[Jonj1611]

Yeah, I sort out peoples laptops all the time, completely taking them apart, soldering etc, but to be honest, a nice quick and easy solution would be best and I never thought about a usb adapter, think it maybe easier in the long run, thanks mate, will give one of those a try.

[GoNz0]

check to see what spec it came with, search on the net to see if it shows as pci-e and half height, most are nowdays.

intel centrino are good solid cards that will work. the 6250 has bluetooth as well afaik. 6300 is tripple channel

[Jonj1611]

Its a really old laptop, it didn't come with any wifi, back in the day that was an option! Additionally when I did look there were about 4 different cards, but I looked and there is no way the pins would fit the slot, hence why I am slightly stuck, apart from the USB option not sure what else I can do.

The USB option will be the last resort as the laptop only has 2 usb ports and I need one for the webcam and another ideally for my mouse, as I hate trackpads with a vengence lol

[GoNz0]

probably a full size pci card then

[Jonj1611]

Hmmm, ok mate, going to investigate this further, I mean the cards aren't expensive so guess I could buy a couple of different ones and see if one works

[DDY]

I just had a look at the NX9005 service manual (available online); installing a wireless card is a doddle but fitting the antenna will require a bit of patience.

eBay is my favorite source for laptop sundries like WiFi cards and antennas, used WiFi cards go for peanuts nowadays as do new antennas.

Search for:

U.FL Antenna

and

mini pci wireless card -pcie -"PCI-E"

For the antenna, go for one which looks similar to the one illustrated in the service manual and look for a 'generic' mini pci wireless card, this is because some OEM branded cards e.g. Dell may have a custom BIOS rendering it unusable on your machine, best if you could find one described as compatable with your machine.

[Jonj1611]

Thanks mate, I will check that out and have a look and see what I can find, thanks again.

[Jonj1611]

Something like this? -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-PCI-W...ht_3458wt_1396

[DDY]

Something like this? -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-PCI-W...ht_3458wt_1396

It says in the description that doesn't work for HP.

Having done a bit more research it seems like HP are the ones using the custom BIOS and as such require specific cards... This also means they attract a premium, they're not as cheap as I thought but still not expensive.

Here are some which should work;

Cheapest one in UK (£13 inc del);
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-Mini-PC...item5d274645a1

Cards with explicit compatability, however none available in UK (~£7 inc international postage);
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-Compaq-...item3f00f3a4c2
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-2100-ze...item3cb453bafc
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-Compaq-...item27b920184d

[Jonj1611]

Lol, your right, I skimmed it, and thats typical isn't it, thanks for looking into it mate, I will have to get one of those then.

Thank you once again, really appreciated.

[Pob255]

We had a load of HP Compaq NX9005 here at work, we used pcmcia wireless network cards they worked fine.
We did have some issues but that was solely down to user interference and damage.
(strange the way a card stops working after you've snapped the end off or you've swapped two different model cards over or just ejected it and then wonder why the security software boots you off because it's lost contact with the network.)

For a personal laptop it works fine, only downside is the lump sticking out the side.

We used both D-link and Belkin, b/g standard
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/dlink...reless-pc-card I think we had a couple of those I know we had the G630 as well

[Jonj1611]

Hi Pob, I have replied to your PM, thank you mate

[abaxas]

PCMCIA is the best way.

If you need some cards, give me a prod. Got a few you can have (if I can find them) for postage costs.

[Jonj1611]

Ideal, thank you Abaxas, pob has said he will see if he has one and send it, if he can't find any will give you a shout.

See this is why I love Hexus, so many helpful and genuinely nice people on here

Cheers guys
Jon