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Bluetooth Module for Z63a..how to install?

post #1 of 25
5/4/06 at 11:51am
Thread Starter 
First off I would like to say that I love my Z63a. The only thing missing was bluetooth which I know you can get as an option from a few places that sell them. I managed to get a hold of an aftermarket BT module, but I can't find anything that tells me where it goes and how to install it. Has anybody out there installed one themselves and if so can you tell me how you did it?

TIA.
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post #2 of 25
5/4/06 at 2:36pm
Funny you should ask this now... I also bought a bluetooth module for my Z63A and plan to install it later today.

What you have to do is fully disassemble the laptop... and remove the motherboard from the chassis. The bluetooth module plugs into the BOTTOM of the motherboard... so you can imagine how tough it'd be to reach that area.
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post #3 of 25
5/4/06 at 2:40pm
Thread Starter 
I wondered about that. If you open the Mini PCI panel on the bottom you can see where it goes. I wonder if there is a way to slip it in there.
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post #4 of 25
5/4/06 at 2:46pm
To install a bluetooth module in z63a is very very complicated. You have to disassemble the cover, connect a module and antena. Another easy way is to put the module in directly, but you cannot do a right way to connect a antena to somewhere. You can take out the wireless adaptor's over on a bottom first, a bluetooth connector is located in a corner of opposite site of a wireless card. It will be found and easy to install it.
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post #5 of 25
5/4/06 at 2:57pm
Does the antenna HAVE to be installed? How much does the antenna actually alter the bluetooth performance?

If I don't have to install the antenna...I won't...because that seems like a LOT of extra work (removing the top case... taking the motherboard out...etc.)

I just want to use a bluetooth mouse! LOL
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post #6 of 25
5/4/06 at 3:29pm
Thread Starter 
I found short bluetooth antennas on eBay for $5 to $10. It has 3M tape on one side to stick it to the inside of the case. I may get one and see if I can get the module installed through the Min PCI panel. I'll post how it goes, wish me luck.
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post #7 of 25
5/4/06 at 3:45pm
Even though you don't connect the antenna, it still works, but the performance will be weak for a long distance. When you purchase the module, it already come with a antenna for connecting to the module. You can put it beside of the wireless adapter if you would like only use bluetooth mouse, cell phone.....
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post #8 of 25
5/4/06 at 4:00pm
Thread Starter 
Mine didn't come with an antenna. I guess I need to buy one anyway. Thanks for the replys. I hope I can get it in there without taking the laptop apart (crosses fingers).
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post #9 of 25
5/4/06 at 7:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrDublin
Mine didn't come with an antenna. I guess I need to buy one anyway. Thanks for the replys. I hope I can get it in there without taking the laptop apart (crosses fingers).

I just installed the BT module through the miniPCI slot with no antenna...it seems to be working okay.
I haven't tried connecting any devices yet...so I can't comment on the performance without the antenna connected. It's not too hard to get the BT module in there though... you just need the right tools (I used tweezers to position the module, and then a large flat screwdriver to push it down.)
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post #10 of 25
5/4/06 at 11:02pm
UPDATE: Well, I tried connecting my cell phone... and the range on the BT is really quite low (without the antenna). I have to literally put my cell phone under the BT module area to get it to be recognized by Windows...
I'm not sure if it's because the BT range is low, or because my phone's BT is weak. Maybe it's both...
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post #11 of 25
5/5/06 at 10:26am
Thread Starter 
I'm glad to hear it wasn't hard to put in that way. I am going to wait for the antenna I ordered to come and then I'll install mine. The antennas are pretty cheap if you want to get one and see if that helps the range.
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post #12 of 25
5/5/06 at 12:38pm
You must install and connect the antenna in order to recieve and send the signal each other. Try to connect it in the edge of laptop on the bottom. Just like z70va with a bluetooth which antenna locate beside the hard drive space and the edge of case on the bottom.
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post #13 of 25
5/5/06 at 12:59pm
I have an antenna... several, actually... I was just lazy to take the Z63A apart

Maybe I'll take it apart today and connect the antenna...
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post #14 of 25
5/5/06 at 3:21pm
Okay, I've decided that I'm going to buy a Logitech BT mouse... if it works, I won't install the antenna.
If it doesn't work... looks like I'll be taking apart the Z63a to install the antenna.
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post #15 of 25
5/6/06 at 10:23am
Well i guess i can chime in just this once. If you want a simple 1min procedure to do this without taking anything appart email me directly or post on our forum. Yes indeed this is possible. Wish i found this a year ago but too little too late. Otherwise good luck
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post #16 of 25
5/6/06 at 11:58am
Sounds like some sort of magic to me...
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post #17 of 25
5/8/06 at 1:10am
Thread Starter 
I managed to get it installed through the Mini PCI panel, along with the BT Antenna I bought. I had trouble getting the Toshiba BT software loaded, so I had to load the patched Widcomm drivers to get it working, but now that I have it installed it's working great. The range is pretty good too.
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post #18 of 25
5/8/06 at 2:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrDublin
I managed to get it installed through the Mini PCI panel, along with the BT Antenna I bought. I had trouble getting the Toshiba BT software loaded, so I had to load the patched Widcomm drivers to get it working, but now that I have it installed it's working great. The range is pretty good too.
whats this pached driver your talking about? i want to give it a try I hate the toshiba driver.
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post #19 of 25
5/8/06 at 3:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrDublin
I managed to get it installed through the Mini PCI panel, along with the BT Antenna I bought. I had trouble getting the Toshiba BT software loaded, so I had to load the patched Widcomm drivers to get it working, but now that I have it installed it's working great. The range is pretty good too.

What does your antenna look like? And how did you secure the antenna?
I'm not sure how I can secure the antenna that came with my BT module...
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post #20 of 25
5/8/06 at 12:55pm
Thread Starter 
Over at GSMHosting they have links to the newest Widcomm software and the patches necessary to get it working.

Widcomm 5.0.1.2500


As for my Antenna, I bought this one off of eBay. It has some 3M tape on it so you can stick it to the inside of the case. I was able to stick it just above my wireless card.

Mini PCI/Bluetooth Antenna 802.11b 802.11g
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