Install / Change Mini Wireless Card (1390 to 3945)

In case anyone else is considering changing their mini wireless card I
thought I'd post about how simple it is to do that.

I decided to switch from Dell's 1390 mini wireless card in my Inspiron
640m to Intel's 3945 because I have been having various problems:

- If I am connected to my wireless home network, then go out and
connect to a different wireless network at a coffee house for example,
I could not connect back to my home network unless I rebooted.

- At times my laptop connected to my home network with limited
connectivity, or being able to connect to my home network but not be
able to access the Internet.

I did not have these kinds of problems with prior laptops.

Here's how easy it is to switch...

- The card is available at many places online. I got mine through
Amazon for about $28.

- The Dell service manual can be found on Dell's web site. Read that
before doing anything.

- Following the steps outlined there, the process is to unscrew the
cover, carefully pull up to disconnect two wires, take out the
existing card, put the new card in, connect the two wires, and voila
-- no problemo, very easy.

Vista recognized the card and it worked when the laptop was booted up
without my having to install any drivers. However, there are more
recent drivers on Intel's site so I installed those.

I suspect this will solve my problems but I haven't been using it long
enough to know yet. I also hope to have increased range because the
Dell 1390 was disappointing in that area.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Problems Re-Setting Up a Home Network
    ... When I initially got my router/laptop card last year, ... I can't seem to get the home network running ... the laptop), but only the Internet sharing seems to be working. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Please Help With Re-establishment of Home Network
    ... When I initially got my router/laptop card last year, ... I can't seem to get the home network running ... the laptop), but only the Internet sharing seems to be working. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Wireless card wont connect to home network
    ... The home network is a D-Link DI-624 set at WPA2-AES with a nine ... The Dell wireless card is a Broadcom network adapter. ... I have also hardwired the laptop to the router and it connects with no ... Email address maintained for newsgroup use only, ...
    (comp.sys.laptops)
  • Re: Wireless card wont connect to home network
    ... WPA2-AES so my next step is to disable the card and add a wireless USB from one of the local computer shops and use their utility works like a charm. ... The home network is a D-Link DI-624 set at WPA2-AES with a nine digit/number ... I have also hardwired the laptop to the router and it connects with no ...
    (comp.sys.laptops)
  • Re: Install / Change Mini Wireless Card (1390 to 3945)
    ... My problems went away after I replaced my Dell 1390 mini wireless card ...
    (alt.sys.pc-clone.dell)