Laptop WLAN connection broken...2 questions for you experts

[tangoddess]

Hello,

I have a Dell Inspiron laptop which had some loose hinges on its screen, which caused the screen to become loose from the rest of the casing.

In the process of trying to tighten the hinges, two wires, one colored black, one colored white, came off from the WLAN card inside the laptop (near the HDD, RAM etc).

I tried to open the back casing, but can only get the outer casing out, but not the casing which gives full access to the HDD, WLAN card etc. It is a plastic casing, I removed the screws, but I tried removing it, and fear it may crack.

The laptop comes back on, the screen is still loose, but the wlan card does not work, obviously because the wires from the screen to the WLAN card are not connected

I am not good with repairs, hardware, etc. so instead of causing further damage, I am wondering whether:

i) Can I just get a USB wireless adaptor, or card or something, that I can use instead of the WLAN inside of the laptop, to be able to use wireless functionality?

IF NOT

ii) Is there any quick fix for the two wires that connect to the WLAN card? Can I just apply some electric tape and tape them to the connectors with the limited access to the WLAN card that I have?

Does ANYONE have a good site for Dell laptop parts?

Thank you,
Tan

 

[JackMDS]

Log to eBay and search for the part you need for your Laptop name and model.

The Wireless Antenna unusably plugs to two mini lacks on the Wireless card.

Otherwise get this - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011T5IF06/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1



P.S. when post such post it will be very helpful if the OP is kind enough to mention his/her model number and or other helpful data about the laptop and the parts.

 

[boomerang]

Can I just apply some electric tape and tape them to the connectors with the limited access to the WLAN card that I have?

If you can get tape on the connectors I don't see why you couldn't get the wires connected. They just push on and are retained by friction.

I have never not been able to find step by step instructions for disassembling a specific laptop online. To separate case halves once the screws are removed, I use guitar picks. They come in various thicknesses and will separate the plastic halves without causing any damage. Screws are sometimes hidden. Flipping the laptop over and removing all the screws on some models is not enough because there are screws under the keyboard or the filler panel in the top front. That's why I find disassembly instructions. Although once you've done enough of them you kind of have an idea where screws might be hidden.

 

[ch33zw1z]

What model dell, it shouldn't be too hard to get to the WiFi card, cables just push back on.

If you rather buy a USB WiFi adapter, go for it