Upgrading Wireless Adapter in XPS1330

Hi. This is my first post and I am a self confessed novice, so I apologise if my question has been covered elsewhere (I tried a Search but couldn't see anything specific to my question).
I have a Dell XPS 1330, with a Intel Pro/Wireless 3945ABG adapter installed (as part of teh orginal build by Dell). The processor is an Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 2.00GHz Level 6 Revision 3853.
I have recently upgraded my home Wireless Router to a Netgear WNDR 3700, which is Draft N and Dual Band. I would now like to upgrade the adapter in my XPS1330 to take advantage of the N draft and Dual Band router.
Is this possible? If so, what new wireless card would you recommend which will be compatable with 1330.
Thanks

 

You need something like the Intel PRO Wireless LAN 4965AGN Mini-PCI 802.11N . The upgrade process is fairly simple:

1) Uninstall all software for existing wi-fi card
2) Proceed to device manager and locate the wi-fi card and uninstall this if it is still visible.
3) Power down laptop and remove power cable and battery.
4) Open back panel closest to the front of the laptop
Make sure you are earthed to prevent static damage,
5) Gently remove the two cables connected to the existing wi-fi card (remembering where they were removed from)
6) Remove the screw holding the card in place and remove card
7) Insert new card at 30 degree angle then push flat and reinsert screw to hold in place.
8) Re-attach cables. You will note there is three connectors on the Intel card but your laptop may only have two. As such just connect the outer connectors as before. If there is a third cable (I think this was only on some non-led backlit screens) then this can attach to the middle connector. The card will work with just the two connected though.
9) Put the cover back, install the battery and power up your laptop.
10) Although Windows may install default drivers, install the latest from Intel for best performance / compatibility.
11) Configure to your new router and enjoy the speed !!

 

Thanks smjohns. Appreciate your reply - and really appreciate the step-by-step guide. I need it!
Do you know if the Intel 5300 adapter would be compatable with my M1330? (I've just been reading some pretty good reviews about the 5300), and also if it is a mini-card or half mini-card that I need (or how I find out)?
Thanks again

 

Works very well with no issues
both card would fit...BUT!!! due to the fact the wire in the M1330 are some what short just get the standard mini card..

 

Great. Thanks! Think I'll take the plunge and get myself a 5300, and then follow smjohns steps-fro-dummies to install it! Cheers.

 

Have you the standard screen or the slim line LED back-lit?
If you have the LED back-lit there are only 2 antenna wire's instead of 3 for the wireless lan card. So you would need to fit an extra antenna wire to take full benifit of the N band in a LED back-lit screen on the M1330 XPS.
By the way there's is a new card series out 6300 series seems same spec as the 5300 checkout intel homepage for more info..

 

What about this card?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Broadcom-Dell-W...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439c7d328a

 

Aye if you only have two wires and can't be arsed to install a third wire then go for the Intel 5100n as this only has two connectors and will provide up to 300mb/s.

If you have three wires or are willing to install the third and definitely want 450mb/s then the 5300n is the one to go for. For your information although the older 4965 card has three ports it only supports speeds up to 300mb/s )like the 5100) and that is without using the central pin.

Regardless of 2 or 3 wires you will be able to use both 2.4 / 5GHz N band so it is really whether you will benefit from the extra 150mb/s. My 1330 came with the dell 1505 (Broadcom) and it works fine for me and certainly not made be think of upgrading to 5100 or going to the hassle of installing an extra wire for the 5300.

 

Thanks again. Really helpful info. I do have the LED backlit screen so based on the two antenna config and the fact that I plan to replace the trusty old M1330 sometime this year I think I'll swap to a 5100 card to give me a speed increase without too much other hassle.
Was also looking online for a 5300 last night and they seem hard to find (Amazon, for example, don't ship electronics to Australia).