Testing parts in another computer

Anne~ · 02-07-2009, 07:00 PM

I have a laptop computer that the Wireless Mini PCI Express LAN Card has seemed to quit working and it does not show up in device manager what so ever or ipconfig. The wireless indicator on the front of my HP laptop is only orange now. I have pulled it and reset it and it still does not show. I could reload the drivers but would that help if the card does not even show in hardware? My main question is… I have a brand new HP laptop, I could pull its wireless LAN card out and try it in the computer that is not working. Would this hurt anything? It is not the same exact card but will fit.

**TriggerFinger** · 02-07-2009, 07:07 PM

I would definitely try it if both cards are similar and they fit. But before doing that, try to switch ON your WIRELESS card. Most laptops have that switch that turns ON/OFF the wireless card. If you have ruled that out, swap the cards..

Anne~ · 02-07-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriggerFinger

I would definitely try it if both cards are similar and they fit. But before doing that, try to switch ON your WIRELESS card. Most laptops have that switch that turns ON/OFF the wireless card. If you have ruled that out, swap the cards..

Thank you TriggerFinger. Yes, I have messed with the switch. I am just worried about the cards not being exactly the same. They look identical but are different part numbers. I am not that experienced in laptops yet but in a regular tower pc I have lots of parts to try.

**TriggerFinger** · 02-07-2009, 11:57 PM

Wireless cards of not so long ago look like this (do not mind the brand):

New ones (a few years ago) look like this:

So it could be one or the other...

**johnwill** · 02-08-2009, 07:44 AM

I think you're wasting your time trying the wireless cards in the HP, it will ONLY recognize the exact make/model of wireless card that was configured with the unit.

I have a perfectly good 802.11n micro-PCI card that fits fine into my HP DV9207US laptop, but the BIOS refuses to let me use it because it doesn't match the PCI-ID that should be in the machine.

Also, an older machine will most likely have a mini-PCI card, a totally different form-factor.

**TriggerFinger** · 02-08-2009, 08:50 AM

@johnwill.. you mean the whitelist thing in the BIOS? Oh yeah.. I have read about that list.. need to tinker with bios to make it work... but that is too way over my head.

jobob1 · 02-08-2009, 09:27 AM

This may apply to you. http://mattsblog.ca/2007/12/14/havin...ries-notebook/

02-07-2009, 07:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
Anne~ Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2 OS: XP Pro/SP3/Ubuntu Hardy Heron	Testing parts in another computer I have a laptop computer that the Wireless Mini PCI Express LAN Card has seemed to quit working and it does not show up in device manager what so ever or ipconfig. The wireless indicator on the front of my HP laptop is only orange now. I have pulled it and reset it and it still does not show. I could reload the drivers but would that help if the card does not even show in hardware? My main question is… I have a brand new HP laptop, I could pull its wireless LAN card out and try it in the computer that is not working. Would this hurt anything? It is not the same exact card but will fit.

02-07-2009, 07:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,846 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Testing parts in another computer I would definitely try it if both cards are similar and they fit. But before doing that, try to switch ON your WIRELESS card. Most laptops have that switch that turns ON/OFF the wireless card. If you have ruled that out, swap the cards.. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

02-07-2009, 11:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,846 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Testing parts in another computer Wireless cards of not so long ago look like this (do not mind the brand): New ones (a few years ago) look like this: So it could be one or the other... __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE Last edited by TriggerFinger; 02-07-2009 at 11:58 PM.

02-08-2009, 07:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,748 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Testing parts in another computer I think you're wasting your time trying the wireless cards in the HP, it will ONLY recognize the exact make/model of wireless card that was configured with the unit. I have a perfectly good 802.11n micro-PCI card that fits fine into my HP DV9207US laptop, but the BIOS refuses to let me use it because it doesn't match the PCI-ID that should be in the machine. Also, an older machine will most likely have a mini-PCI card, a totally different form-factor. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-08-2009, 08:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,846 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Testing parts in another computer @johnwill.. you mean the whitelist thing in the BIOS? Oh yeah.. I have read about that list.. need to tinker with bios to make it work... but that is too way over my head. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

02-08-2009, 09:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
jobob1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: indiana usa Posts: 35 OS: winxp x64 sp2 My System	Re: Testing parts in another computer This may apply to you. http://mattsblog.ca/2007/12/14/havin...ries-notebook/