Got a new laptop
My old laptop has been on a steady decline so I finally decided to jump on a deal from Dell. I got a refurbished Inspiron B120 for just over $400. It is their lowest end budget model but it should last for a few years. It’s a 14-inch widescreen 1.4GHz Celeron M with 256MB of RAM, a 40GB drive, and a CD-RW & DVD combo drive. Unfortunately this computer didn’t come with built-in wireless and it doesn’t have a PCMCIA slot. It only has an ExpressCard slot and there are no wireless ExpressCard products yet. This leaves me with either getting a USB wireless adapter or a Mini-PCI wireless card. Unfortunately if you don’t order the internal wireless, Dell doesn’t bother to put in the internal antenna. I found some instructions on how to install the antenna into a ThinkPad so I may give it a shot. Of course I should wait until my 90-day warranty is over. For now I’m using a Linksys WGA11B that I don’t with my TiVo anymore.
An interesting sidenote, Dell didn’t give me any sort of operating system or driver reinstall disks. Good thing I still have some XP install CDs because you always have to reinstall when you buy a new machine. There was so much junk on the machine that it’s always better to start fresh.
February 10th, 2006 at 10:35 am
I just bought an Inspiron B120 as well and between the fact that I’m a computer novice and dealing with Dell’s ubercrappy customer service, I’m about to tear out my hair. First they sent me a card that turned out to be incompatible. Then I was told I needed an Express Card and a USB adapter. Then when I started reading the forums I found out that Express Cards aren’t out yet…so aggravating. And now apparently I need an antenna (??).
February 10th, 2006 at 11:11 am
Maggie,
At least there’s someone else in the same boat as I am.
As for the antenna, I found a link on how to install the antenna into the computer as if it was built in. It’s not for the feint of heart. I can post about it if you’re interested. I may try to do it and get the Mini-PCI wireless so I could have real internal wireless. I think I’m going to wait until my 90-day warranty is over though.
For now there are no ExpressCard USB Wireless cards. If you see my post about upgrades, I bought a USB stick. It’s ugly because it sticks out the sides and can get caught on things. The Netgear one I have also seems to get warm when I use it for awhile. But at least I have wireless and can use my computer on the couch in the living room!
good luck & thanks for stopping by,
carl
February 19th, 2006 at 3:30 am
I also just got a B120 with no wireless. I sent dell an email through their support website and I Received 3 CD’s from them 2 days later.
CD1: XP Home Edition SP2
CD2: Device Drivers, diagnostics & utilities
CD3: Antivirus Software, Support Software, Multimedia Software, Internet Software
Of course this was all free!!
Now about installing that internal antenna If you have a link to that information that would be great. I have found a guy that got the internal wireless to work using a Atheros AR5002G MiniPCI card Here is a link to his story. http://tinyurl.com/a9l9e
February 19th, 2006 at 8:59 am
Hey Shane,
Thanks for the tip! I’ll try sending an email to Dell Support and see if I can get some backup/reinstall CDs.
Here is the link I found:
http://www.jordanautomations.com/tpa31-internal-wifi-upgrade.html
They were installing an internal antenna into a ThinkPad A31. Although he did use a Dell MiniPCI card, he used an IBM replacement antenna. I haven’t gone as far to find links for an antenna from Dell but that’s where I’d look first.
Regarding the guy you found, it looks like he must’ve installed an antenna internally himself. I don’t have a forum login or I’d send him a private message to see if he had any instructions. I’ll add some more information here if I find that he has some better instructions.
Thanks again,
carl
April 25th, 2006 at 5:31 pm
I also got a Dell B120 and purchased a Intell 2915 mini pci wireless card from online(cheaper that Dell). I’m researching on a compatible antenna, and will install it as close to dell specs as possible. I’m modeling most of my info from the Dell B130 my mother inlaw has. Dell does not sell any of the antennas for their laptops as far as I can see.
April 25th, 2006 at 10:38 pm
Chris,
Sounds great! If you end up getting it to work, please let me know. I’d love to get integrated wireless in this laptop.
I haven’t been able to even try anything on it since I last posted about it because I’m in the process of relocating.
Keep me posted!
Thanks again,
carl
June 16th, 2006 at 6:00 am
I just ordered a b120 refurbished for less than a new Axim. Mine also doesn’t have wireless so I’ve been researching the issue and found the b120 service manual with instructions on installing the antenna here:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1300/en/#online_documentation
Now to go find an antenna….
July 3rd, 2006 at 11:32 am
Did anyone find where to buy the antenna? Seems you can find mini PCI WiFi cards on E-bay easy but not much about the internal antenna.
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:50 am
i havent try it yet………..
August 15th, 2007 at 8:00 am
I routed the antenna per the Dell specs and get a fairly weak reception. I’ve also noticed that a lot of B130 references call out the existence of an antenna on the LCD
August 27th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Fred:
Where did you get the antenna from?
In the instructional link posted above, it appears that one end of the cable is snapped to the WIFI card, and the other end is inserted into the laptop itself….maybe to use an antenna inside the LCD screen case?
Curious what you saw before I open my laptop….thanks!
October 6th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
I was able to purchace the correct card and ownload the driver, the antenna is in the LCD cover part #MD542 for $20. However I still cant find the cable for sale that runs from the cover to the card