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Mini-PCI wireless question

post #1 of 8
2/26/04 at 2:41pm
Thread Starter 
Hey, all...I deliberately left off the 1300 Truemobile wireless from my recent InspironXPS order...this is because you can buy a router/card combo cheap that will go twice as fast (108Mbps)...however, I'd rather not have a card taking up space and sticking out the side of my box, so my question is:

'Can I buy and install a mini-PCI card from a 3rd party manufacturer into my XPS that will use the double-speed (108Mbps) format?'

Otherwise, I'm getting the D-link card/router combo from Buy.com:

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...344769&loc=101

Also, is there a review of Dell's 1300 Truemobile solution that shows a graph of distance indoors vs. throughput?

Thanks!
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post #2 of 8
2/26/04 at 5:23pm
I don't think they sell those double-speed wireless PCI cards for laptops yet. I could be wrong, but I think we are stuck with the normal versions of Wireless A/B/G.
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post #3 of 8
2/26/04 at 5:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigshloss
I don't think they sell those double-speed wireless PCI cards for laptops yet. I could be wrong, but I think we are stuck with the normal versions of Wireless A/B/G.
Well, for wireless B, I've heard you can use the DWL-520+ (Dlink's AirPlus PCI card). It is a mini-pci card bolted onto a PCI card. I haven't tried it, but I'm considering it since I have the DLink AirPlus router...

Not sure if this would apply to the G cards, though...

-Peter
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post #4 of 8
2/26/04 at 8:38pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, guys! hey, psyang...how do you like the router? any complaints? what's the range and throughput like?
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post #5 of 8
2/26/04 at 9:02pm
I believe Dlink and most manufacturers use wireless pci adapter cards for desktops still use the mini pci card on an pci adapter. Just remove the metal cover and remove the card. The other option is to buy 2 routers and remove the pci card from the router.
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post #6 of 8
2/27/04 at 2:25am
Thread Starter 
Are you sure about this plan? Have you tried it or know someone who's done it? Also, will the card fit the dell? Most of these desktop PCI adapter also have giant antennae sticking out of them...

THanks!
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post #7 of 8
2/27/04 at 7:18am
My wireless network card is in the computer and has no antenna sticking out.
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post #8 of 8
2/27/04 at 9:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hammermd
Are you sure about this plan? Have you tried it or know someone who's done it? Also, will the card fit the dell? Most of these desktop PCI adapter also have giant antennae sticking out of them...

THanks!
The mini-pci cards I've seen have 2 antennae connectors on them. I can only assume that the large antenna you see on a pci card is simply wired to one (or both) of these connectors. If your laptop has a built-in wireless antenna, you should be able to hook up the antenna cables to the mini-pci antenna connectors.

I've also seen pci cards that look to just be a pcmcia wireless card bolted onto a pci card form factor. Very strange.

As for the router, I've had no problems with it. It's downstairs along one outside wall, and when I'm on the main floor at the other opposite wall, I still get strong signal strength. Never had a dropped connection, even after several hours of continuous use. Easy to configure for most things like MAC filtering, opening/closing ports, scheduled access...all were pretty intuitive.

The only problems I've had might be due to my lack of knowledge of networking. I'm definitely not a network expert. For instance, when I turn on WEP, I noticed that machines that were plugged into the router (wired, not wirelessly) were unable to connect. Also, I wasn't able to setup VPN to allow me to access my home network from outside. Again, these could just be my lack of knowledge - they weren't big deals for me, but they may be for some.

-Peter
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