Upgrade Inspiron 1520 - add 3G data??? where to source dell parts?

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sxz

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Ultimate Geek

#19329 12-Feb-2008 23:05

Hi,
Just bought a new laptop and in NZ you cant choose to have the 3G data card integrated. The sim card slot is all there, in the manual it shows there is a small card that can easily be added to give 3G access - what I'm wondering, is this possible in NZ (ie with Vodafone) and does anyone know where to get Dell Parts? I have tried the website and couldn't find much (just a quote form - no answer yet).

On the same note, also would consider an eventual upgrade to bluray reader if they get a bit cheaper - i guess this is easy...

mostly interested in the 3G capibilities...! (would prefer to have an integrated option - ie no Vodem etc)

Thanks!

scottjpalmer

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#110274 12-Feb-2008 23:23

Funny you should post this now . . . I have been trying to get around to a similar post all day.

I have just ordered my new Dell XPS M1330 and have also placed a similar enquiry with Dell via their website form, no response yet.

I have been doing a lot of reading these last few days and this is probably what you are after but there are 2 versions of the card, one for Europe and one for the US of A, and I believe it is the European one that we should use here due to the bands it uses. They are just the Novatel EU860D and EU870D. I assume similar cards from Sierra Wireless etc would work but at least with these cards Dell supply the drivers.

Ultimately, I'm going to wait a few months and HOPEFULLY there will be a quadband UMTS card available so it'll play nicely with Vodafone's new UMTS 900 network, Telstras 850 when I'm in Oz, etc. If anyone has a card I can borrow in the mean time, please let me know :-)

sxz

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Ultimate Geek

#110581 14-Feb-2008 12:20

Oh yeah. cheers. Got my reply from dell - very uncomittal they just say they cannot help me. He says to get the parts from my telecomunications provider - surely they would not have the dell part? I think he misunderstood what I was after.

Scott - if you have any further luck can you post it here?
Cheers!

freitasm

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#110583 14-Feb-2008 12:25

I assume Dell has not released the product in New Zealand - without local testing they won't release anything.

Fitting those as after market parts is almost impossible in these situations - so when the rep told you to seek your local telco, it probably meant "get a USB/Express/PC card" for your laptop and be done with it.

scottjpalmer

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#110672 14-Feb-2008 19:38

I'll keep you up to date with my progress, I am confident I will have something installed in the next few months.

Easy on my future machine MF, it has a cover on the under side like a RAM slot cover, plug in the module, plug on the antenna connectors, cover back on. Bingo.

RE: The modules themselves, Dell's 5520 is actually a Novatal Wireless EU860D or EU870D depending on your region. But no, Dell obviously haven't got them OK'd by Vodafone NZ :-(

sxz

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Ultimate Geek

#110678 14-Feb-2008 19:50

cheers guys. thats real helpful I found the parts on the dell website. all on there seem to be carrier-locked.
yeah my inspiron 1520 has the dedicated internal slots with all the easy instructions etc to install it.

Think I'll put it off too! least for a while...

Thanks guys

scottjpalmer

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#110681 14-Feb-2008 19:55

I don't know that they are locked, I think they are separated so they can provide the relevant operators branded configuration software . . . could be wrong

scottjpalmer

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#110683 14-Feb-2008 19:58

The other option is to find one of these as they are simply a USB to miniPCIE adaptor, pull it apart, unplug the module from inside it, and it'll plug straight into your internal slot.
This could be worth a shot but he says it has no signal so not promising . . .