E6420 Owner's Thread

nvm

figured it out

 

I was able to install a Western Digital WDJ10PVT 1TB hard drive in my Latitude E6420 quite easily

 

Hello,

Do all E6420 laptops have GSM modules? I noticed mine has the SIM card slot next to the battery but i can't find the device in Windows. Also i tried the drivers for all the different GSM adapter models from dell support and none recognized the communications module.
Is there a chance it has the SIM slot but not the actual hardware?

Also, i can't seem to find a webcam driver on dell's website.

 

many laptops have a mobile data (3G/GSM/LTE/EvDO/CDMA) option, these days usually in the form of a miniPCIe module (which is really just a USB socket in a different form.

there are a number of issues:

* is that simply a slot/hole, or is it actually a sim card socket?

many laptops have the space but the sim socket is not actually soldered on. Unless the laptop was bought with the data module, it's more likely to be an empty hole!


* is there actually a miniPCIe socket available, or has it been used for, say, a bluetooth module?

Many laptops only have one or two sockets, the primary is usually a true PCIe-like socket and is used for the wifi module. The secondary is sometimes used for bluetooth.

In my E6420, there's an unused miniPCIe socket labelled WWAN, and I have an Intel 6205 a/b/g/n wifi and also bluetooth. It's close to the DVD bay, easily visible if you take the bottom off.


* are there antennae for the mobile data module?

Unless factory fitted, there may not be any suitable antennae, because there are so many different worldwide frequencies for mobile data.

My E6420 appears to have two antenna cables going to the WWAN slot.

Some people buy old mobile phones off ebay and strip them for the antennae. There are quite a mobile antenna vendors on ebay, and you may get lucky and find one which will fit the laptop well. However, fitting it may mean significant disassembly!!!



I am just about to take delivery of an Expedite Novatel EU850D miniPCIe card, which is special because it has a SIM slot built in. I bought it for my netbook, but will be testing it in my E6420 and will post the results for you.

 

There is an actual SIM card slot, i tested it by inserting a SIM, it went in and in order to get it out you have to push the SIM in further, it does a little click and then a spring pushes it out, so i guess they did solder an actual SIM slot.
Sadly tho i cannot see the actual module ( if it has one). From what i've heard on these Dell's the 3G module is soldered directly on the motherboard. I have to tear apart the whole notebook in order to see the maker. It's on the motherboard under the wifi card, on the bottom side.

 

Just buy a dell 5550 3G/HSDPA card which has GSM module as well on ebay for about 20-40$ and plug in the slot, connect the cables and there you go. Look at the service manual.

 

I uploaded some redacted photos

E6420 with base removed:
E6420 with base removed | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

E5420 with base removed:
Latitude E5420 with base removed | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

sorry if they're not perfectly sharp.

you can see they both have WWAN sockets.

 

for people who don't have sim sockets on board, here's the EU850D miniPCIe module:

Expedite EU850D beépíthet

 

OK, i understand now, guess i need to buy a WWAN card. Thanks!

 

Hi everyone,

I have been using my E6420 for more than a year now and it has been great without any problem. However, I have been ignoring the bottom popping issue since I bought it and now I am thinking of get it fixed. If I call Dell will they send me the replacement cover for free (I am still under warranty)? Would the replacement fix the problem? Thanks you guys very much.