B120 Help Please..

Question

I just bought a B120. When I bought it it didn't come with a wireless card.. I was told from someone at customer service that any wireless card would work. I bought a Linksys kit from ebay that came with a card, and router.. I got the router to work, but the card wouldn't fit. I called Dell to many times to see what I could do. Someone in Tech. told me that a card would be out by the end of Dec. for this unit. I talked to someone in Returns tonight about my problem.. I was told that there was an internal card for the B120. It cost me $39.00. Do you know if this is true or not?? Thanks..

volcano11 · Answer

If you read the other messages on this forum concerning the B120, you will learn that although it does have a MiniPCI slot into which a wireless network adapter will fit, but does not have an internal antenna, making such an installation useless. You will also learn that the B120 does not have a PCMCIA slot, so that no existing PCMCIA wireless cards will work. The slot on the side is an "Express" slot and there are currently no wireless cards available that will work in that slot. In short the B120 is a cheap, crippled machine, that was never designed for wireless networking. The only option at present is a USB wireless network adapter.

Steve

volcano11 · Answer

The guy was wrong.  You can insert the card, but since there is no antenna to connect it to, the wireless range will be about 6 feet. Steve

westgateblvd · Answer

The guy I talked with tonight told me that there was an internal card that would work with this unit.. All I had to do was to remove a screw from the bottom, and insert it..

westgateblvd · Answer

Do you think I should try to exchange it for the B130?? The B130 is going for the same price as the B120..

volcano11 · Answer

Yes, the B130 at least has the antenna. Steve

westgateblvd · Answer

Sent it back.. Have to wait now untill the money is returned to my account.. Maybe next time I will find one that will work for me..

westgateblvd · Answer

Any suggestions on what I should look for?? I want a reasonabley priced notebook that I can run wireless.. I build rebuild cars. I have a car complete, that I show.. I am always looking up parts online. I hate having to run back and forth from the garage to look up numbers.. Thanks..

schulzpm · Answer

One of the options when you buy the B120 is to get internal wireless. I ordered one with that selected and they still shipped it without the card or the antenna.

westgateblvd · Answer

Yes, I have the internal wireless card. Still after you install it your range of movment will only be about 6' with out the antenna compared to a minimum of 60' with an antenna. The B120 is a very good computer when used the way it was meant to be used. Meaning that it was pluged in, andyour work was done wired, After the work was done you could unplug it, andput it somewhere safe. It was never meant to be wireless. The only way to be wireless is to use a USB adapter, and have an antenna on the side of it. I didn't like that idea.. I would rather have the B130. It is basicly the same, execpt that it comes with the wireless card installed, and it has the internal antenna in it.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

B120 Help Please..

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