How to upgrade mini wireless card in Dell Inspiron 1545?

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simon14

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Topic # 67669 6-Sep-2010 17:15

Where would I go to buy a new wireless N card for my Dell laptop? Currently only supports G but i want faster local network transfer speeds.

Tried Dell website but no info.

kobiak

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Reply # 377223 6-Sep-2010 17:52

I guess, just by mini PCI-e wifi N card and replace your old mini PCI-e wifi G card. :)

something like that

helping others at evgenyk.nz

simon14

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Reply # 377224 6-Sep-2010 17:57

That looks like what i need.... but how can i tell if it's compatible with my dell inspiron 1545? I see there are many diff types of mini wireless cards.

raytaylor

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Reply # 378002 8-Sep-2010 20:41

There is 3 types. Usually the wifi and bluetooth cards will be under one of the removable covers on the bottom of your laptop.
Simply open yours up, and find out what type your existing one is, then head over to pricespy.co.nz or trademe.

When installing your new card, just install it like any other desktop pci hardware - put it in, then go to the device manager or run the setup cd after turning it on.

=== BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN CHANGING ANTENNA CONNECTORS ON THE CARD- THEY ARE SMALL AND EASILY DAMAGED ===

Also no point in buying an N card that uses multiple antennas if your existing antenna is only a single chain (2 antenna wires usually white and black)

mini-pci
Usually squareish and long on the port side

mini-pci-e
Oblong shaped - short on the port side

half mini-pci-e
Same as a mini-pci-e except not so long

Ray Taylor
Taylor Broadband (rural hawkes bay)
www.ruralkiwi.com

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For my general guide to extending your wireless network Click Here