Is it possible to upgrade my Intel Wifi AGN 4965?

[Jose_49]

Yo!

I'm currently using a Dell XPS M1530, with an Intel WiFi AGN 4965 AGN. The problem is, that I upgraded to Windows 8 and started having known Wi Fi issues. Intel does not support this WLAN card, and it says to use default Windows 8 drivers. I get BSOD about 3 times a week. I tried disabling the 802.11n as people suggested, but to no avail.

I have reverted back to Windows 7, since I can't keep up with those random resets. It keeps doing that on my University, which I sometimes feel embarrassed when it happens. So I'm looking for a way to replace the wireless card to a newer one... is that possible?

(If you need info from my machine I'll upload it... I just don't know what to put in here)

Thanks a million!

[Brandon H Supervisor]

you could disable that wifi card and buy a usb wifi adapter (it will use one of your usb ports but with a laptop i think that's the best you're gonna get)

[KaoDome]

My main computer is still an Inspiron 1520 from years back which shipped the same card as yours, at least in my model it was possible to replace it, so I'd say it's possible in yours too. I changed it for an Ultimate-N 6300 (about 15? when I bought it), since the 4965AGN is a 3x3 MIMO card I knew my laptop had all 3 cables needed and I already had a Bluetooth card installed.

One thing that I didn't took into account was that my 4965AGN was a full size mini PCIe card while the newer 6300 is a half mini PCIe (basically half its height), so the cables didn't seem long enough to get to the newer location of the plugs. It was possible to connect it though, since there was enough cable only it was shortened by adhesive tape behind the LCD panel.

No more trouble in Windows 8 and there are drivers for older Windows (up to XP) and Linux too.

PS. If you wish to have Bluetooth and you don't take a look at other cards, although I think that at least with Intel those cards are 2x2.

[Jose_49]

My main computer is still an Inspiron 1520 from years back which shipped the same card as yours, at least in my model it was possible to replace it, so I'd say it's possible in yours too. I changed it for an Ultimate-N 6300 (about 15? when I bought it), since the 4965AGN is a 3x3 MIMO card I knew my laptop had all 3 cables needed and I already had a Bluetooth card installed.

One thing that I didn't took into account was that my 4965AGN was a full size mini PCIe card while the newer 6300 is a half mini PCIe (basically half its height), so the cables didn't seem long enough to get to the newer location of the plugs. It was possible to connect it though, since there was enough cable only it was shortened by adhesive tape behind the LCD panel.

No more trouble in Windows 8 and there are drivers for older Windows (up to XP) and Linux too.

PS. If you wish to have Bluetooth and you don't take a look at other cards, although I think that at least with Intel those cards are 2x2.

Wow, all the info I need. Yes, my PC has the three cables, but are short. I'd need to tear the PC apart to check it out.

Also, thanks a lot for telling me that the card is indeed shorter. Although I don't use the Bluetooth often, I'd like to have it with me since that's the best way for me to transfer files between my PC and my Phone. I'll do further search on amazon and I'll let you know.

[Jose_49]

Well... Found this:

http://communities.intel.com/message/185387

:p

There are many adapters which aren't supported on Windows 8.

Need to look for something equivalent or superior than the 4965 AGN.

How about this one, think will work?:

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-6235AN-HMWWB-Centrino-Advanced-N-Bluetooth/dp/B007QXLIWI/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1365607313&sr=1-1&keywords=Intel%C2%AE+Centrino%C2%AE+Advanced-N+6235

[Jose_49]

Do not know if the pins are compatible, though:

Here is my current setup:

[Arceles]

Those things are standard, it's a Mini PCi e card, easily swappable (unless you have whitelisting, like hp laptops, it shouldn't be a problem)

Edit: And you even have three of those... man, you could even connect an external desktop class videocard to that laptop O_O

[Jose_49]

Those things are standard, it's a Mini PCi e card, easily swappable (unless you have whitelisting, like hp laptops, it shouldn't be a problem)

Edit: And you even have three of those... man, you could even connect an external desktop class videocard to that laptop O_O

So can I go ahead and buy it without worries?

Regarding the bold part, what do you exactly mean?

Edit:

Oh, I now understand... They have the same width, but different heights!

[Arceles]

Yes in theory you will be able to plug another card in there, try to look for an intel one though, to avoid any possible whitelisting.

As for the bold part, if you look for some external videocard mods for laptops you will realize that all of them connect to the laptop using mini PCIe ports, the more the merrier, mini PCIe ports have one PCI express port plus a USB, so there are some adapters that take as much mini PCIe ports you have turning it into a Desktop PCI Express 1x (slow for graphic cards) 2x (the bare limit, desktop GPUs can work up to 95% of their power like this) 8x (Nice but requires 3 ports) 16x (I don't know any laptop with 4 mini PCIe ports in it...)

[Jose_49]

Yes in theory you will be able to plug another card in there, try to look for an intel one though, to avoid any possible whitelisting.

As for the bold part, if you look for some external videocard mods for laptops you will realize that all of them connect to the laptop using mini PCIe ports, the more the merrier, mini PCIe ports have one PCI express port plus a USB, so there are some adapters that take as much mini PCIe ports you have turning it into a Desktop PCI Express 1x (slow for graphic cards) 2x (the bare limit, desktop GPUs can work up to 95% of their power like this) 8x (Nice but requires 3 ports) 16x (I don't know any laptop with 4 mini PCIe ports in it...)

:o

[KaoDome]

So can I go ahead and buy it without worries?

After seeing your setup I remembered another thing that may be relevant: your laptop (and mine) were designed for full size mini PCIe cards, meaning you won't have those screw places you see at half the height so that you can fix the card to the mother board. Here you have two possibilities: one is to buy a half to full bracket adapter (plenty in eBay or Amazon when I looked at them) or if you don't want to buy one you can use the plastic that covers that area as something that will hold the card down (if you take the screws of your 4965AGN you'll see what I mean, the card is being pushed down).

In case that laptop doesn't have cables long enough you may have to buy extension cables, I remember looking into them before but they were pretty expensive (for what you want to archive). Otherwise, using an external adapter is always a possibility.

I'd take the LCD panel out of the back panel to check if it resembles something like this or not before placing an order. Mine had 2 more curves than the one in the picture, so I straighten them for the cables to reach perfectly (the 3rd antenna cable was the **** since it didn't have curves but i got it to get there, if you pick a 2x2 card you don't have to worry since it only needs the two cables).

PS. I'd say the card you linked to will work ;).

[Jose_49]

After seeing your setup I remembered another thing that may be relevant: your laptop (and mine) were designed for full size mini PCIe cards, meaning you won't have those screw places you see at half the height so that you can fix the card to the mother board. Here you have two possibilities: one is to buy a half to full bracket adapter (plenty in eBay or Amazon when I looked at them) or if you don't want to buy one you can use the plastic that covers that area as something that will hold the card down (if you take the screws of your 4965AGN you'll see what I mean, the card is being pushed down).

In case that laptop doesn't have cables long enough you may have to buy extension cables, I remember looking into them before but they were pretty expensive (for what you want to archive). Otherwise, using an external adapter is always a possibility.

I'd take the LCD panel out of the back panel to check if it resembles something like this or not before placing an order. Mine had 2 more curves than the one in the picture, so I straighten them for the cables to reach perfectly (the 3rd antenna cable was the **** since it didn't have curves but i got it to get there, if you pick a 2x2 card you don't have to worry since it only needs the two cables).

PS. I'd say the card you linked to will work ;).

Kaodome, thanks a lot for the replies and the "need to look for" situations.

I think I'd rather go with the adapter. I have promised to myself that I'll keep tampering with the machine the minimum (I've used the warranty SO MANY TIMES)

This one shall do then:

http://www.amazon.com/Height-Express-PCI-E-Bracket-Adapter/dp/B007VXJ9IS/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365623095&sr=8-1&keywords=half+to+full+bracket+adapter

Thanks a million!

[KaoDome]

This one shall do then:

http://www.amazon.co...bracket+adapter

Yep, that's like the ones I saw; the half height card would be screwed to it and then the adapter to the motherboard as your current card is.

By the way, I looked at the photo you uploaded again and I think you should have enough cable to reach the connectors in the new card, because you can always connect the card to one of the other two PCIe slots that are closer to the cables entry point.

In case you're not aware of, should you need to do repairs or replacements after your warranty period is finished at Dell's site there are usually service manuals available for each model which explain how to remove and replace stuff step by step. In your case this one would be the PDF version of it I think.

Thanks a million!

You're welcome, glad to be of help.

[Jose_49]

Yes in theory you will be able to plug another card in there, try to look for an intel one though, to avoid any possible whitelisting.

As for the bold part, if you look for some external videocard mods for laptops you will realize that all of them connect to the laptop using mini PCIe ports, the more the merrier, mini PCIe ports have one PCI express port plus a USB, so there are some adapters that take as much mini PCIe ports you have turning it into a Desktop PCI Express 1x (slow for graphic cards) 2x (the bare limit, desktop GPUs can work up to 95% of their power like this) 8x (Nice but requires 3 ports) 16x (I don't know any laptop with 4 mini PCIe ports in it...)

Man, I got to say, thanks a lot to you, too :)

I have discovered how laptops could become the next gaming stations in a near future.

I had thoughts on buying a desktop this year to put it aside my lappy, but now I don't know :p.

I told it to my friend and he kept investigating. He was as surprised as I. Seems there are Thunderbolt ports on some of them, which are great! Data transfer rate is powerful and you don't need to keep disassembling your machine (at least in my case) if I want to use an external card. Windows-based computers with Thunderbolt will start making their appearances soon .

[Arceles]

Man, I got to say, thanks a lot to you, too :)

I have discovered how laptops could become the next gaming stations in a near future.

I had thoughts on buying a desktop this year to put it aside my lappy, but now I don't know :p.

I told it to my friend and he kept investigating. He was as surprised as I. Seems there are Thunderbolt ports on some of them, which are great! Data transfer rate is powerful and you don't need to keep disassembling your machine (at least in my case) if I want to use an external card. Windows-based computers with Thunderbolt will start making their appearances soon .

I'm also looking for them since unfortunately I have been traveling constantly... and I cannot build a proper desktop, if thunderbolt really works as intended, then indeed external graphics cards should be no problem, remains to be seen though (and I also want a proper PCIe soundcard :p)

[Jose_49]

I can't believe this thing is already 6 months old! I haven't even taken the initiative for changing my card. 

 

I did disassemble my machine until I reached the screen. It seems that the bolt in it, got damaged and it's almost impossible for me to remove it, so I'll need some help to look for an extension antenna. The link provided confused me a bit as I don't know which one should I really get :/

 

Also, is it possible for me to buy an .ac card instead? 

[Jose_49]

People. Will two of this work?

http://www.jefatech.com/product/UFLUFL2

[+Fahim S. MVC]

You have to be careful and find out if your machine has a whitelist of cards it will accept.

If it has a whitelist you must choose a card from it, or hack the BIOS to remove the whitelist.

[Jose_49]

You have to be careful and find out if your machine has a whitelist of cards it will accept.

If it has a whitelist you must choose a card from it, or hack the BIOS to remove the whitelist.

Thanks :)