Upgrading My Wireless Card

[ednjude]

Hey,
I have to old wireless b and want to upgrade to wireless G... where is the wireless card on my x1050 and where can I get a good wireless G card?  Any help would be awesome.  I'm not terribly familiar with wireless stuff.

[kf_man]

This is a fairly fun topic.  You cannot use a non-hp wireless card with your laptop if you have firmware newer than F.34.  If you have F.34 or older, you will be able to install any Mini-PCI wireless card into the laptop.  I would recommend the B/G wireless card from Intel (Intel Pro Wireless 2200).  You can buy them from lots of places online for decent prices. 

One advantage to the Intel B/G card is that you could mod the firmware on the card so that it will work with the latest BIOS.  I don't recommend it if you are not sure about yourself, but it doesn't seem too hard.  Also note that I have not tried this before and only know what I read.  Therefore, I cannot be held responsible for damage done to the card.

If you are interested in this, check it out here.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

EDIT:  Fixed the link.

[quietas]

I've tried several mini-pci cards over the last couple years, startnig with an Intel 2100b. Then I went to a Dell Truemobile 1300 (b/g), when the F.51 bios came out and would not work with non-HP/Intel cards I switched to a Intel 2200 (b/g) but the range wasn't great. I've since moved back to the F.34 bios (works fine) and I bought an Atheros 5004X based card pulled from a Toshiba, it's A/B/G also and will work with any network. The atheros also has longer range and higher speeds.

If you buy an Atheros make sure you get a 5004 or later. There are 5001 and 5002, but they are the older slower models, and there are X (a/b/g) and G (b/g, no a) versions. Ebay has them a lot pulled from other computers for about $35-50.

[flir67]

I tried the senao mini-pci that was inside my 3054-plus router. it didn't work also just to let everyone know. that one had the 200mw bridge,access mode features.

[kf_man]

It didn't work even with an older BIOS?  I'm a little surprised at that, but it could be that they put some sort of lock on it to keep it inside the router.  Either way, now we know that it doesn't work, thanks for the addition.  There seem to be quite a few that do work though, including some desktop cards that have the mini-PCI pulled from them.

[flir67]

I reflashed under the f.34 bios and the senao mini-pci works fine.
the only problem I've encounter with it is that it gets really hot on that side of the laptop now.it doesn't work that good for wardriving though compared to the intel , not sure why.. its a 200mw mini-pci that was in the 3054-plus deluxe senao bridge/ap unit

flir67-----------

[kf_man]

That's good to hear, I was pretty sure that any mini-PCI card would work.  As for the heat, I would just assume that it's not as efficient as the intel.  Give it a try and if it gets too hot then maybe the intel would be better.  If it works for you, then great.

[flir67]

does anybody know where I can find prism drivers for the senao mini-pci b/g card.  I just using the factory xp ones that detected it.senao websited doesn't have them for the mini-pci.  

xp lists the driver as ieee802.11g with the word prism01 and 02

thanks in advance.

[alden]

so, a couple of days ago I've got on the hp.com chatline talking with an "specialist".  My question was if I can flash the new BIOS with my upgraded mini PCI card Intel 2200G (the old one Intel 2100B).  The "specialist" said it would be OK and never mentioned that BIOS version F.55 has an OEM Lock for Intel firmware.  So I screwed up.
The question is:  has anyone used a roll back BIOS, is it possible to do so on X1000?  I've heard that someone done it on Dell but not too sure.

[deluxe]

You can reflash v.34 and be fine, many have done that.  It's still available in the Drivers section for your notebook on HP's site.

[alden]

downgraded it from F55 to F34.  The latest Intel software works well.  Thank you everyone.
The HP/Compaq "specialists" confused me over the chatline.  Three of them (!) were telling me that it is not possible to downgrade BIOS and they never heard of such a thing before.  I can't believe these kind of "specialists" are working for such a big company.  Eh, well!

[deluxe]

It's common knowledge that you have to flunk an IQ test to work at HP.

[romeon]

To be honest, I haven't flashed my bios since 2 years and I don't have any problems with this old one (F.10, 2003-09-30, SP25683). So I'll stay with it .

Maybe next month I buy this Gigabyte miniPCI: http://www.gigabyte.us/Communication/Products/Products_Wireless_GN-WIAG02.htm
For me G is enough, my acesspoint doesn't support Super-G or A. Are there better miniPCI crads than the above one?

Thanks!

[draneon]

I need the file sp27857.exe to flash my bios back to F34, though I can get it from HP but somehow my download speed from HP is just less than 1kb/sec. so I would really appreciate it if anyone who already downloaded the file could upload it to Sendspace or Yousendit or whatever. thanks in advance.

Thank you for the file Romeon !

[romeon]

Download

Bios F.34 (SP27857).exe
(I renamend all after downloading to remember the exact version)