Dell 5160, what is the card?

(I reposted this message in the Inspiron forum -- but couldn't figure out how to delete it from this forum).

In the Mini PCI bay, there are two cards. One says Broadband A03-0027 JP, which appears to be a modem card.

My question is about the second card. I did a Google search, but couldn't find out its purpose. Here are the numbers on the card:

MFG 452
(bar code)
1048450402478
(bar code) EDW21 31
1A1U
(bar code)
46124931031

Does anyone know what this card does?

Thanks in advance.

 

In the Mini PCI bay, there are two cards. One says Broadband A03-0027 JP, which appears to be a modem card.

My question is about the second card. I did a Google search, but couldn't find out its purpose. Here are the numbers on the card:

MFG 452
(bar code)
1048450402478
(bar code) EDW21 31
1A1U
(bar code)
46124931031

Does anyone know what this card does?

Thanks in advance.

 

Fax/Modem maybe?

That laptop is old enough to have one.

 

A Google search indicates that the smaller "Broadband A03-0027 JP" card is a modem.

The larger card is the one I'm asking about.

 

Ethernet or Wireless card maybe

What does the connections on the card look like?

 

Maybe a wireless card.

 

Please do not cross-post. Your threads have been merged.

 

Here's a photo of the card:

http://notmhe.weebly.com/dell5160cards.html

The lower part is the Broadband Corporation modem. The upper card is the one I'm asking about.

 

It's a slot for an internal mini PCI wireless card. The markings have nothing to do with the card(s) that you can install.

 

I agree with the good Commander.

You would need a Mini PCI wireless card. Options at point of sale were Dell wireless cards (1350, 1450, 1470)

Out of those, I would take the 1470, Dell part number D9002, which is like $12 on fleabay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Wireless-1...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4ceb7f2131

 

Thanks for the replies -- and for the explanations.

Now that I look at it more carefully, what I thought was a 2nd card is something else, perhaps part of the motherboard -- and it's now clear that there is a connector to hold a mini-PCI card.

Yes, I'd like to add Wifi to this laptop (b/g is fine, no need for n).

It seems there are three choices:

1. mini-PCI b/g card (thanks for the eBay link)

2. A cardbus or PC card Wifi b/g adapter.

3. A USB Wifi b/g adapter.

Cost aside, which is the best choice? I.e., will a standard (not high power) cardbus or USB adapter perform better than the min-PCI card? If not, then the mini-PCI card seems best, because it leaves those other ports free for other purposes.

 

Get an Intel 2915ABG. Pretty good card for mini PCI and it's pretty damn cheap these days as well. If you need N, I think there are mini PCI N cards as well, but I've never used any so I've got no recs.

Because the internal cards can make use of the laptop's internal antenna, I think they're generally better than a PCMCIA or USB card. Plus I hate having a little dongle floating off the side of my laptop.

 

Thanks for all the Wifi suggestions.

Of the 4 mini PCI suggestions (1350, 1450, 1470, 2915ABG), which is best for a Dell Inspiron 5160? (I need b/g only, but "a" is also okay if there is no downside -- such as a more cramped installation, or more heat.)

I have some concern about the 2915ABG because Dell does not show a driver for it for the Inspiron 5160.

 

I swear!

I just through a 1350 AWAY that came out of my old 5100.

I couldnt sell it on ebay (tried twice) nobody even viewed it.So I chunked it and the chassis.(Speakers,touch pad,ATI 7500 video card,motherboard etc..) all I could sell was the screen and CPU

It was just a week ago

Sorry

 

Will this one fit guys.



http://www.modem-help.co.uk/Broadcom/BCM94309MP-DualBand-Mini-PCI-Reference-NIC.html

I got it to replace the 1350 but it was years ago and I do remember why I didnt use it.

 

More advice on which mini PCI card is the best choice would be appreciated. (There seems to be plenty of cards available on eBay, and at low prices.)

By "best", I mean "most reliable", "least software problems", "least heat", "easiest to install". Range is not an issue, as the Wifi router will be nearby. Also, as long as it supports "g" at decent speeds, it needn't be the fastest "g" card.

On the Dell support page for the Inspiron 5160, Dell has drivers for 1300, 1350, 1370, 1400, 1470, and the Intel 2100 (but not for the 2195ABG -- though I suspect the 2100 driver will work).

 

@OneCool - yes, the 1450 will work in the I5160. Basically, any Mini PCI wireless should.

@notmhe - I just put in the factory available options for that system. The Intel 2915ABG is a better card in my opinion.

The 2100 driver will NOT work. Doesn't matter which system you pull the 2915ABG driver from, they are all the same, it's just that particular card was not offered in that system so there is no driver listing.

From a D610 assuming XP: http://support.dell.com/support/dow...peid=-1&formatid=-1&impid=-1&checkFormat=true

Basically, go with a Dell branded Mini PCI wireless card. It should work just fine.

 

Thanks to all for all the help.

I'll try to get a Dell 1470 on eBay (even though the 2915ABG seems a better card) -- and am hoping it will be easy to install in that small space, along with the antenna wires.