Intel Laptop Wifi card in desktop

[carldon]

I recently upgraded my aging desktop and I wanted to reuse some of the components from a HP laptop that was broken. I bought a Mini Pcie to Pcie adapter to use the Intel Centrino N-1030 adapter that was in the laptop.

The adapter is recognized but keeps giving me a Code 10 error(cannot start device) with Win 7 64 bit. Searching online and some of the Amazon reviews of other wireless cards it looks like laptop manufacturers whitelist wifi adapters due to a FCC certification requirement (not confirmed). But is there any reason that the card does not work in a desktop? I mean, are Intel drivers whitelisting these cards or is there some hardware difference between cards pulled from laptops and a fresh card bought from the Egg that prevents their use in desktops?

One thing I am yet to try but it seems to work for multiple people online is that these cards from laptops seems to work without any issues in Linux. I am yet to confirm that but I will be installing it today to confirm.

Appreciate if any of the network gurus can shed some light on this issue even though I am figuring out a a way to run a cable to the desktop now.

 

[JackMDS]

HP plays around with Lap top component to force people buying specific component from them for hyper Premium price.

So, it might be that the card has some firmware branding that let it play only with certain matching BIOS.

That said the idea of doing what you did is somewhat "miscalculated", the Intel Wireless card can be found on eBay for about $10, you probably paid more for the pcie adapter.

God knows what you did with creating a Good Antenna for the card. Antennae are not just a piece of wire. To work optimaly they have to fit the output parameters of the card and install in away that avoids physical obstructions.

 

[carldon]

Thanks Jack. Its what I was afraid may be the case.

Here is the adapter that I used.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130501831715?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I'll know if the antennae are a problem when I install Ubuntu today. But I think its the firmware though. Time to look for an adapter or a way to route some cables along the wall.

 

[carldon]

Update from installing Ubuntu yesterday. The adapter worked without any issues. Not sre if its using the intel driver or something else. Odd that it would work in one and not the other

Ah well....off to the egg to buy a DD-WRT router. Looks like that might the most reliable way to get online. All the good adapters cost as much as a router.

 

[alkemyst]

My TL-LINK adapter was #1 on amazon and like $30.

I am using a $1000+ ISR router at home though

I run CISCO IOS.