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    Installing a wireless-N card into the m9700?

    Discussion in 'Alienware Area-51/Aurora and Legacy Systems' started by DerangedGoose, Mar 27, 2012.

  1. DerangedGoose

    DerangedGoose Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a blue aurora m9700 (running a single 256 mb video card...what an idiot I was not to spring for the extra card!)

    As we all know, the realtek card in these systems is dodgy to say the least. Id like to install a wireless-N card internally so I can keep the ports free (although if thats not possible, I guess Ill go with an express card so as not to hog USB)

    Has anyone done this before? What cards will work? Is it literally as simple as finding a card that has the same interface standard and then downloading the drivers for it?

    I appreciate your input guys, Im trying to keep this thing usable for as long as I can while I save up for an asus g74!
     
    DerangedGoose, Mar 27, 2012
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  2. simonmpoulton

    simonmpoulton Notebook Deity

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    You need to just find a card with the same interface and you'll be fine - You can drop an Intel 4965AGN card in there and it'll run flawlessly.
     
    simonmpoulton, Mar 28, 2012
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  3. DerangedGoose

    DerangedGoose Notebook Enthusiast

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    I found an ebay auction that said the intel 4965 AGN will only work with intel chipsets, and my 9700 is an AMD. Is there another card that will work?
     
    DerangedGoose, Mar 29, 2012
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  4. DerangedGoose

    DerangedGoose Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey guys,

    The 4965 card just arrived and when I opened my laptop up, I found that the interface standard for my current card is not the same, and much bigger. In the first slot, where my wireless card resides, there are two antennas, visible in the first picture, with my new card next to it for reference


    The second picture is of the empty slot which has the same connector and a third, unconnected antenna along with some sort of power/data connector. What is this slot for?



    What connection standard is this and where can I find a wireless N card to install?

    Thanks for your help!
     

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    DerangedGoose, Apr 1, 2012
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  5. protivakid

    protivakid Notebook Evangelist

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    That is a mini PCI slot versus the newer Mini PCI-E slots that laptops use now. I am surprised the m9700 has the older slot though. It came out a couple months AFTER my Intel based m5750 and mine has the newer Mini PCI-E socket. Not sure if they made N cards for that older slot.
     
    protivakid, Apr 2, 2012
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