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    Dell 300m MiniPCI Wireless LAN Help

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Liquidus, Aug 3, 2006.

  1. Liquidus

    Liquidus Newbie

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    Hi, this is my first post on this forum...and yes I am asking for help :D -- I just purchased a Dell 300m laptop and supposedly it has a MiniPCI Wireless LAN for WIFI. I know very little about networking when it comes to laptops, but I am moving into college this month and I wanted wireless capabilities on this laptop.

    So I was hoping somebody could please explain to me how I would go about making this laptop WIFI capable. As far as I understand, MiniPCI is a card installed into the IEEE port inside the computer, unlike the little wifi cards sticking out from the sides. Thanks in advance. :)
     
    Liquidus, Aug 3, 2006
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  2. DoubleHelix

    DoubleHelix Notebook Consultant

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    the "little" wifi cards would most likely be PCMCIA cards...

    your card is in the firewire port to my understanding... the IEEE is a firewire port.. well there should be a button either on the top near the LCD screen or you have to do this...

    goto start>right click my computer and goto device manager... then look for the install card (the name of it?) i dont know the name lol cause you didnt specify a brand but it should be there... then you just enable it.. and you will pick up the wireless internet if there is any... i would test it out at a local hotspot before you goto college

    anymore questions post em here or PM me and ill be happy to help.
     
    DoubleHelix, Aug 3, 2006
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  3. drumfu

    drumfu super modfu

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    a miniPCI card goes into a miniPCI slot inside the computer. IEEE is a standards committee, not a port.

    if you have a miniPCI slot (did the 300s have them?) then just buy a wifi card and slap it in (assuming your computer already has the wifi antenae built in)
     
    drumfu, Aug 3, 2006
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  4. Liquidus

    Liquidus Newbie

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    Great, so as far as I understand I don't need a PCMCIA card then-- I can use the miniPCI card currently installed. The thing is that I don't know what brand it is because I have yet to install an OS...that is after I buy an external CD-ROM. Thanks for the help.
     
    Liquidus, Aug 3, 2006
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