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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November 7th, 2009 at 5:47 am
I leave my internal wireless card out of my C840 because it sits directly under the hard drive and I’m concerned the heat produced by the wireless card may cause the hard drive to run hotter and reduce its service life.
November 2nd, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Your Face,
Yes, you can do that. If your wireless card stopped working you can replace it with a new one.
But… are you sure that your problem is related to the wireless card? It’s possible that you have software related problem.
1. Try reinstalling the wireless card driver.
2. Back up all personal data and try reinstalling the operating system from scratch.
If the wireless card still doesn’t work after that, most likely it’s a hardware related problem. Try replacing the wireless card.
October 30th, 2009 at 4:11 am
I bought a laptop that came with the wireless card, but it’s stopped working. Could I just buy one, take the old one out and replace it with the new one the same way you did in this tutorial?
September 6th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Laptops have a function key to turn on or off the internal card. Does this feature have to somehow be enabled or installed to work with a computer that didnt come with a factory installed wireless card? I have a Dell Inspiron 5100 and the keyboard doesnt have the symbol would it be in the default location?
September 1st, 2009 at 9:24 am
Nititi,
For a desktop computer you’ll need a different wireless card. Take a look inside your desktop and find out if you have any PCI slots available. You can stick and PCI wireless card in there.
August 31st, 2009 at 1:38 am
ok i know how cai i install a wirless card in loptop but i don’t know how to instal it in desktop
August 27th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Brayden Piece,
LOL. Fixed! English is not my native language but the content on this site still should be good and useful.
Sorry guys if my grammar mistakes bother you.
August 27th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Thanks for your input. Curious, 2nd paragraph, is it “witch” or “which”??
July 7th, 2009 at 3:48 am
Thanx.But is there anyway to connect a Laptop Wireless Card into a Desktop..?
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Great fix the 11 & 13 thing. Worked a treat first time. Love this site.
Thanks all