I called and talked to Dell when I was trying to figure out what type of wireless card to buy. After telling the agent my express service code (so they know exactly what laptop I have) they told me all I need is a wireless mini-PCI card. It was only $35 plus tax and shipping so I got it. I installed it today and it turns out that my laptop doesn't have a wireless antenna built in like the manual shows. So it's installed but without an antenna the signal says "Very Low" and I am about 5ft from the router. Now I have to call in the morning and order an antenna and pay to have it installed because they can't tell me how to do it. They say I have to take it to a Dell certified repair center and have them put it in.

Fuck dell If they had told me it would be such a hassle in the first place I would have just got a USB wireless adapter. I went with this because it meant not having anything hanging off of the laptop and nothing to lose.

 

i am thinking if you had a wireless antenna builtin in the first place you wouldnt need the card
the card should act as the "antenna" im going with pebkac

 

sorry that's wrong. The card acts as the wireless adapter but is a very poor antenna by itself. That is why they have an antenna hookup that attaches to it. It's really just a wire (looks a lot like a FM radio wire) that greatly improves signal strength. External options have the antenna built in.

 

I found where I can buy replacement antennas for the laptop. Fortunately it looks like all mini-pci wireless cards use the same type of antenna. It's going to be a bitch to mount it behind the screen (for best reception) because I will have to take the whole fucking thing apart.

 

Don't hate on Dell because you're a cheapass for not ordering it with a wireless NIC from the get-go. :fawk:

 

thats fucked up, it should be installed.

IBhegoestoinstalloneandfindsouttherewasalreadyonet hereandthattheplugwasjuststuffedinthecase

 

That made me :reechy:

 

You failed as soon as you picked up the phone with the intent of dialing Dell Tech Support.

 

you failed as soon as you bought a dell.

 

You failed as soon as you woke up today.