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hp_fan09

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21 years ago

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hp_fan09

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November 26th, 2005 20:00

Inspiron B120

Okay.  I know I'm going to sound stupid, but what all do you have to have to make an Inspiron B120 capable of using wireless internet?  I have high-speed internet, and I know I'll need a wireless router, but in the specs of the notebook, it doesn't come with integrated wireless support.  Does this mean I will need to buy a wireless card, or does it mean that notebook cannot be wireless?
  • NemesisDB

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    Posted November 26th, 2005 21:00

    any pc-card wireless card will work fine.  look for something that supports 802.11g and WPA2.  don't pay over $30.
  • hp_fan09

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    Posted November 26th, 2005 21:00

    Thanks so much.
  • ahains

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    Posted November 29th, 2005 15:00

    I think this is incorrect - the manual for the B120 states that it has one ExpressCard slot, it does not come with a PC Card slot. The two are not compatible.

    You need to get an ExpressCard or USB networking card.

    Searching EBay I see zero ExpressCard items, so USB may be cheaper if you don't mind it sticking out of the side of the machine further.

    -a

  • NemesisDB

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    Posted November 29th, 2005 22:00

    It seems I stand corrected.  Some interesting observations and questions though:

    will the 54mm express cards that this come with accomodate old pc-cards?

    the specs list the B120 as coming with a mpci slot -- is this accurate?

  • ahains

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    Posted December 1st, 2005 15:00

    NemesisDB,
    If I understand your question correctly - no, PC Cards are completely incompatible with Express Cards. See the PCMCIA FAQ for further details:
     
    I can confirm that the user's manual states that an mini PCI slot is present, but I do not own a B120 so I cannot confirm first hand. This is where the wireless NIC is on the B130.
     
    -Adrian
  • cymrieg

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    Posted December 14th, 2005 11:00

    I have a B120 without wireless so I bought a Dell 1370 miniPCI wireless card and stuck it in. It connects and works fine within about 6ft of the wireless router but any further away it totally drops out. Am I missing anything in the installation like hooking up an antenna?

    I have another laptop that has a linksys pccard wireless card and I can move around the house ok, so I know it isn't interference or range of the wireless router.
  • volcano11

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    Posted December 14th, 2005 12:00

    cymreig,

    The B120 is a crippled machine.  It has no internal wireless antenna to connect to the Mini PCI card. 

    Steve

  • cymrieg

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    Posted December 14th, 2005 18:00

    Steve,

    What does a wireless antenna look like? Can I just attach a piece of wire? I didn't see in the user guide for the Dell 1370 a connection for an antenna.

     

    John

     

     

  • volcano11

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    Posted December 14th, 2005 19:00

    The antenna is internal.  The connectors look like the ones in the following document. 

    http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1300/en/sm/upgrades.htm#wp1105550

    They were intentionally left out of the B120 but are present in the B130.   If you read through all of the messages (and complaints) concerning the B120 on this forum, most people seem to think Dell in some way misled people  into thinking that although you cannot order a B120 with a wireless network device you could add one later.  This is apparently not the case, and I'm not about to argue the point one way or another.  The fact is that the antenna is not present.  Whether or not it can be added, I would say that it can with great difficulty be added if you are willing to put in the time to find the right parts and modify the system to get it installed.

    Steve

  • hp_fan09

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    Posted December 14th, 2005 19:00

    Could it perhaps had it when I bought it, but not now, because when I ordered it, it was a special sale, and said it came with a free internal wireless card, but now it has no wireless option.