The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    New mini PCI install. No signal

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Quadrifoglio, May 19, 2008.

  1. Quadrifoglio

    Quadrifoglio Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Today I installed an Intell MiniPCI 2100 wireless card into my Sony Vaio PCG-v505dc2. It is a celeron powered notebook but had a wireless slot on the motherboard.

    I also installed a set of antennae and routed the wires properly using my other notebook as a guide(I have a V505dc1p that I purchased new which is the wireless centrino version).

    After installing it, installing a new front panel switch to activate the micro switch and downloading the drivers from Intel I can't get it to work.

    The card is recognized as being there and working but the signal strength is near zero even when the laptop is sitting right next to the router. I have tried this with a few routers and even hooked up an external set of antennae that I have. No change.

    Every once in a while it will pick up a very weak signal (From said router sitting next to the notebook) but so weak that it doesn't work. It will just barely connect and then sorta dies.

    Any thoughts?

    Should I just spring for a new Intel 2200bg card?

    Thanks for any and all help!!!
     
  2. The_Observer

    The_Observer 9262 is the best:)

    Reputations:
    385
    Messages:
    2,662
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    If the card is not defective,the connection might be loose.
     
  3. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,557
    Messages:
    6,682
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    I dont think you did the antennas right.
     
  4. Quadrifoglio

    Quadrifoglio Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I've cleaned both the card and socket and checked the connection between the two. The same with the antennae connectors.

    I also connected a spare set of antennas that I have and with the spare set held up and connected to the card still no signal. Swapped aux and main without effect.

    I guess it's simply a defective card then. Bummer
     
  5. Wirelessman

    Wirelessman Monkeymod

    Reputations:
    4,429
    Messages:
    4,401
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105

    How did you install the antenna?
     
  6. Quadrifoglio

    Quadrifoglio Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Black to main
    grey to aux

    routed from card through case closer to the side, then through the left hinge next to the LCD cable.

    One antenna and square thing on the left side behind LCD, other on the right.

    Exactly as my other notebook had it installed from the factory.

    But I also connected an external antenna directly to the card which should have eliminated any variables with the antenna.