This tutorial explains how you can install internal wireless card into an older laptop. I assume that your laptop is “wireless ready” which means it has a slot for the wireless card and equipped with wireless antennas, but missing the wireless card. Why did I make this tutorial for an older laptop? Because all new laptops are sold with the wireless card.
I’ll take as an example my Dell Latitude C840 laptop. As you see on the picture, it has a slot for the wireless card and one antenna cable. That’s strange, most laptops have two antenna cables, white and black. One cable goes to the main connector on the wireless card, another cable goes to the auxiliary connector. Probably you’ll ask me which antenna cable connects to which connector? I think it doesn’t really matter because both antenna cable are identical.
My main concern was finding the right device driver for the wireless card I plan to install into my laptop. As you know, without correct driver it will not be recognized by the operating system and will not work at all.
Likely, I have a spare wireless card from another not working Toshiba laptop and this card worked perfectly.
You can find this wireless card by the model number: WM3B2200BG. Just search by the model number here and you’ll find one for about $20. It’s a 802.11 b/g wireless card, so you’ll get a 54Mbp/s connection as I did.
In order to install the wireless card into the slot, just push it into the slot at a 30 degree angle (step 1) and then press on the card (step 2) until it’s locked.
After the card is locked in the slot you can connect the antenna cable. In my case, I snapped the antenna cable on the main connector. If you have two antenna cables, snap one of them on the main connector on the wireless card and another one on the auxiliary connector. As I mentioned before, I don’t think it matters with cable goes to which connector. Both antenna cables are identical.
Finally, you’ll have to download and install the wireless card driver. If you use the same card as I did (WM3B2200BG), you can download driver from the Intel website here.
Use this link: Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection. Select the operating system, download and install the driver.
You have a couple of different options:
1. Download and install the driver only. Use this option if you want to use Windows wireless connection utility. That’s what I did because I prefer using Windows tools.
2. Download and install both the wireless card drive and the connection software. Use this option if you want to use Intel’s software application. It’s totally up to you.
As you see on the picture above, the wireless card successfully connected to the wireless access point at 54Mbp/s.
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March 14th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Instructions worked great. I installed a Broadcom BCM 4306 card I picked up from a local used parts store.
However, I am unable to locate a driver. Nothing on the Broadcom site. Any suggestions?
February 13th, 2009 at 9:22 am
I have an old emachines m6811, the procedure apears to be the same as this. However, what I wanted to ask is if this is my problem or not. The computer is asking for me to make sure my wireless is “turned on” because it cannot see any networks. I have installed a temporary USB network card and it works fine. I have updated all drivers and service packs so I can rule that one out…. does this sounds like a bad card to you? Thanks!
February 10th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
I found a solution for my problem above (#27), at “techspot.com/vb/all/windows/t-18046-Toshiba-Satellite-1135S1552-WiFi-Networking-Problem.html”.
Solution: Cover pins 11 and 13 on your m-pci wireless card (even pins are on the bottom side, the odd are on the top. For orientation, the “top” of the card is where you plug the two antenna in.
While facing the “top” of the card count to pin 11 and 13. (from the “cut” in the card over, don’t forget to count the lone pin as well) cover both pins 11 and 13 with tape (or as suggested in the post, finger nail polish) Place card back, start laptop, and you should be able to configure it from there
February 10th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Installed an Intel internal wireless card (Intel P/N PA 3362U-1MPC) in a ‘Toshiba Satellite 2430′ Laptop. Downloaded and installed drivers from Intel’s site. When I open the program (Intel PROSet/Wireless) it shows that the radio is turned off. I made sure that the hardware switch is turned on. I also tried toggling the Fn + F8 function key (It doesn’t show, nor do anything). I turned the radio on via the program, and nothing happens. When I close the program and reopen it, it again shows that the radio is turned off.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
hi…my dell c840 laptop is having trouble with its mouse..the pointer keeps running out of my screen…im thinking its the mouse that is imbedded in the middle of the keyboard is the culprit! help..i dont know how to disable it….and im in the middle of my thesis….help! =(
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Tony,
I’m not familiar with that model. Can you access the wireless card slot from the bottom of the laptop? Can you see the antenna cables in there? If yes, most likely this card will work for your laptop too.
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Parham K,
Nope, you cannot do that. The desktop motherboard doesn’t have a Mini PCI or Mini PCI-E slot needed for the laptop wireless card.
February 1st, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Is this procedure the same for a alienware M7700?
December 29th, 2008 at 2:35 am
is it possible to connect the laptop wireless network card in a desktop pc?
December 24th, 2008 at 8:01 am
My laptop (XPS M140) crashed and I had reinstall XP and software. Problem I’m having now is that the laptop can’t connect to the internet. There used to be an icon under Network Connections that looked like a computer monitor that would pick up wireless signals. That icon is no longer there. What do I have to do for my laptop to have the ability to connect to the internet this way again? Any help would be appreiciated.