How to Install a Wireless Card in Dell Laptop
A wireless card, also called a WLAN card, is a small computer hardware device found inside most new laptops that allows you to connect to high-speed networks and the Internet wirelessly. If your wireless card has malfunctioned and you need to replace it with a new wireless card, there are several steps you must follow to ensure you do not damage the laptop during installation and that your laptop will recognize the new hardware after you have installed it.
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Things You'll Need
- Laptop screwdriver set
- ESD grounding device (e.g., wristband or workstation)
- Compatible replacement wireless card
Instructions
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Turn the laptop off and remove the battery. Shut down your laptop through the Windows operating system and close the lid. Carefully place the laptop upside down on a flat, sturdy surface and eject the battery. Depending on your Dell laptop model, the battery may be removed by sliding the battery lock to the unlocked position and pressing the battery release latch. Once the battery is released, slide it out of its compartment.
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Remove any devices and peripherals plugged into your laptop. Disconnect the AC power adapter from your laptop, then remove all cables and devices connected to your laptop. This includes removing any Ethernet cords, USB devices, phone lines and headphones. Removing these devices will ensure that no electrical current is passing through the laptop as you begin removing the wireless card.
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Find the wireless card compartment and remove the cover. Depending on your Dell laptop model, the wireless card may have its own compartment or it may share a compartment with the memory modules. Consult your user guide for a labeled illustration of your laptop's hardware compartments. Once you have located the wireless card's compartment, remove the cover. Use a laptop screwdriver to remove the screw that secures the cover to the laptop.
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Disconnect the two antenna wires. After you have removed the compartment cover, find the two small wires that connect your wireless card to the motherboard. Remove both wires by gently twisting, then pulling up on the connecting clips found at the end of the wires. Do not remove the antenna wires by pulling on the wires themselves. Disconnecting them using the clips will prevent you from damaging the antenna wires, the motherboard and the wireless card.
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Press outward on the wireless card's latch clips to remove the wireless card. There are two clips--one on each side of the wireless card--that hold the wireless card in the compartment. To remove the wireless card, you must press outward on these clips using your thumbs, then carefully lift the wireless card up and out of the compartment.
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Insert the new wireless card. To connect the new wireless card, first attach the two antenna wires to the wireless card. Be sure the clips on the end of the wires are securely fastened to the wireless card. You can now insert the wireless card into the compartment, securing it in its place by the latch clips. Replace the cover back onto the compartment and tighten the compartment cover's screw.
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Install the wireless card's drivers. Before your laptop will recognize the new hardware, you may have to install the drivers for the wireless card. Access the Dell Support page and look up your laptop model for a list of downloadable drivers (see the link in Resources). Because you may not yet be able to access the Internet wirelessly, you must connect to the Internet using an Ethernet cable. Once you have installed the drivers and any necessary software for the wireless card, your Dell laptop can access the Internet wirelessly.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are installing a wireless PC card rather than an internal wireless card into your Dell laptop, simply insert the card into the CardBus slot found on the side of your laptop. This will activate the New Hardware Wizard. Follow the on-screen instructions or use the card's set-up CD to finish installation. If your Dell laptop did not come equipped with a wireless card, you cannot install a wireless card unless your model has an empty compartment set aside for one.
Use a grounding device when handling your laptop's internal hardware to prevent electrostatic discharge from transferring to your Dell laptop and damaging the motherboard or other critical hardware. If your Dell laptop is under warranty, make sure that installing a new wireless card will not void the warranty.
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo courtesy: Klebom/MorgueFile
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Comments
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what if your installing a wiress N card into the dell. the dell 1501 has 2 antenna wires but the wireless N card has 3 plugs labeled 1,2,3. the card is a Intel 4965AGN.
