MINI-PCI Orinoco Wireless EXTERNAL ANTENNA possible?

[xDeLiRiOuSx]

Hi, I got a SONY SRX99 Laptop with the internal MiniPci Wireless lan (orinoco branded). it came stock with the laptop but the reception is really poor on that thing. Is there anyway I can boost the reception? I want to add an external antenna but I don't know which one is good and HOW on earth would I get to that wireless card (i know for sure it has TWO external antenna adapters).

Thanks
David

 

[jschuk]

That card has two connectors, period. Both of those connectors are connected to the antennas in the laptop. I am not sure where Sony puts their antennas, but Acer put them in the hinges and Toshiba put them at the top of the LCD lid. From our informal testing, we found the Toshibas performed better. What are you considering poor reception? Do you have another laptop to compare it to, or a PCMCIA wi-fi card?

 

[xDeLiRiOuSx]

Yeah I have an external Dell True mobil 1150 PCMCIA card and it gets excellent reception where as the MINI-PCI is getting low signals and it drops far too many packets. Maybe the antenna came lose? How can i access it?

Thanks
David

 

[Spicedaddy]

I installed one in my Dell 4150, and the connectors for the 2 antennas were already there. If you don't have them, then Sony probably didn't install the antennas in the laptop. (so you're kind of screwed )

 

[PCAddict]

I'm going to have to crack my Gateway open and see if the antenna leads are there, it's another option to consider...

 

[xDeLiRiOuSx]

Does anyone have instructions on HOW to open up my laptop? I have no idea how it opens up. no help can be found SRX99

THanks

David

 

[jschuk]

If you do get it open and find the leads are connected, make sure the wires are not crossing over each other. Also try to see if you can position the wires so that they don't cross over the metal shields. Positioning them so that they run under the card seems to be the best method.
I have only serviced a handful of Sony's and I am not familiar with your model. I can tell you that Sony likes to use plastic that snaps over the base and cover assemblies. Of course yhe manufacturers usually try to make the mini-pci slot accesible. You can usually get to the slot either from a panel on the bottom of the laptop by removing the keyboard.

 

[xDeLiRiOuSx]

Hrm, does anyone have experience with SRX99? I unscrewed everything but there seems to be some clips holding the base down, I don't know how to approach them and dont' want to break anything. I undid the keyboard but there is no access to the wireless card. The bottom lach is only for the memory and the harddrive :/

Please help me, I can barely get reception

David

 

[xDeLiRiOuSx]

heh, Help!?

 

[xDeLiRiOuSx]

Someone Please help me !

 

[xDeLiRiOuSx]

Bump for some help because I can't get my anntena to pick up much

DAVID

 

[xDeLiRiOuSx]

anyone ?

Thanks

David

 

[dannybek]

I was in the same predicament as you with my ze4101. The ze4101 did not have a internal antenna but it had a mini-pci slot. So In true ol DIY fashion I bought a mini-pci Wireless lan card and proceeded to make my own antenna. I bought a pure copper pipe, cut it in half, and hammered it down until it was nothing but a flat sheet of copper. I placed it on the back of my LCD screen and connected wires to my minipci card. You on the other hand probably don't want to mess up your computer by doing what I have done. So there is an option to put a external antenna. Yet it requires a modification.
Go to this website http://www.antennasystems.com/broadband.html and search for the "mig24" antennas. that is about all I can help you with.
Best wishes.

 

[xDeLiRiOuSx]

bump, now I need to learn how to open my laptop, any help?

Thanks
David

 

[dannybek]

Well I dont have a Sony notebook. Usually mini-pci is accessible by a metal covering just like the ram.