By mistake I ordered a TC1000 without wireless (

[ivarr]

By mistake I ordered a TC1000 without wireless (which I do need). Since it seems that people get better reception with external cards, I may settle for that instead. But if I want an internal card, what are the options?

I tried to locate the standard card at http://sparesstore.compaq.com/sparesstore/ , but it was hard without the part number. Does anyone have it? Are there other internal cards that can be used? (Lars Karlslund wrote that he has changed to Dell TrueMobile 1150 mini-PCI.) Any recommendations/preferences?

What if I choose to go for an external card. Proxim Orinoco Gold seems to have many followers, but according to ZDnet (http://www.zdnet.com/supercenter/stories/overview/0,12069,562535,00.html) it sucks battery life..?

Thanks!

Ivar

[Lars Karlslund]

I installed a mini PCI which I had spare from my Dell Lattitude. It's the DELL TrueMobile 1150 mini PCI.

It runs the same chipset as the Orinoco Gold cards, but is internal.

I'm not sure how the reception is with this card compared to the Compaq one.

Also be warned, that I needed to take the tablet COMPLETELY apart (mainboard out), because one of the internal antenna wires are a fraction short, and I had to re-route it a bit to gain the needed extra millimetres.

But it works perfectly ...

[Big Lar]

Ivar,

The Compaq miniPCI Wi-Fi / Modem card part number is:

310670-001

I also upgraded my non-Wi-Fi enabled TC1000 with internal wireless, but unlike Lars, I used the part listed above purchased from the Compaq spare parts store. I got the part number from the Maintenance and Service Guide document I downloaded from the Compaq TC1000 support website. It is document number 268627-001.

Upgrading is a snap. You just open the access panel, remove the Modem only card, and replace it with the new modem / Wi-Fi card and attach the 3 connections (2 antenna and one modem port).

As I mentioned before, I've done this very thing and have had no problems at all with my TC1000. Upgrade without fear,

--Lar

[ivarr]

Wow, this was easy! Thanks!
So far the reception (with the Compaq card) seems adequate.

[Big Lar]

Glad it went smooth. Enjoy your new toy.

--Lar