Where to Buy Generic Internal Wi-Fi Cards

I am looking for a Internal 802.11b card for a Toshiba A15-S129.
Toshiba suggested that I purchase a PA3212U-3MPCR. Is there a generic
replacement that might be cheaper?

Thanks,
Josh

In article <(E-Mail Removed)> ,
Josh <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>I am looking for a Internal 802.11b card for a Toshiba A15-S129.
>Toshiba suggested that I purchase a PA3212U-3MPCR. Is there a generic
>replacement that might be cheaper?

Since many Toshiba models come with pre-installed drivers and client
software for WLAN cards, they only recommend the card that the machine was
set up for.

In fact, though, the card slot and antenna connectors are standard. I went
through the same process with my old Satellite Pro 4600, and settled on
the ZCOM/Xterasys XG-600. It's an 802.11b/g card with 128-bit WEP and WAN
support, and uses the Intersil Prism GT chipset. It cost me all of $50 and
works like a charm using the drivers and client software supplied with the
card. I didn't even have to remove the pre-installed Toshiba stuff, but
ended up doing so purely for cosmetic reasons.


http://store.4linkcomm.com/linkcomm/xtie80mipci.html
http://www.mrtechus.com/mipciinie80w1.html

Believe they are 'mini pci' which are readily available on ebay.

"Mike S." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:bukif7$isf$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> In article <(E-Mail Removed)> ,
> Josh <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >I am looking for a Internal 802.11b card for a Toshiba A15-S129.
> >Toshiba suggested that I purchase a PA3212U-3MPCR. Is there a generic
> >replacement that might be cheaper?
>
> Since many Toshiba models come with pre-installed drivers and client
> software for WLAN cards, they only recommend the card that the machine was
> set up for.
>
> In fact, though, the card slot and antenna connectors are standard. I went
> through the same process with my old Satellite Pro 4600, and settled on
> the ZCOM/Xterasys XG-600. It's an 802.11b/g card with 128-bit WEP and WAN
> support, and uses the Intersil Prism GT chipset. It cost me all of $50 and
> works like a charm using the drivers and client software supplied with the
> card. I didn't even have to remove the pre-installed Toshiba stuff, but
> ended up doing so purely for cosmetic reasons.
>
>
> http://store.4linkcomm.com/linkcomm/xtie80mipci.html
> http://www.mrtechus.com/mipciinie80w1.html
>
>

Based on that info, I looked around and found this Dell module:

DELL TrueMobile 1300 WLAN Mini PCI Card

http://www.redzuco.com/cgi-bin/merch...ct_Code=TM1300

I can get it for $33. Do you think that should work in my Toshiba?

Thanks,
Josh

In article <(E-Mail Removed) >,
Josh <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>Based on that info, I looked around and found this Dell module:
>
>DELL TrueMobile 1300 WLAN Mini PCI Card
>
>http://www.redzuco.com/cgi-bin/merch...ct_Code=TM1300
>
>I can get it for $33. Do you think that should work in my Toshiba?

Probably would.

I have same notebook,just installed a xg-600 mini lan card,it works ok.I
bought it from http://www.xterasys.com/product_netw...ss-minipci.htm




"Josh" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) m...
> I am looking for a Internal 802.11b card for a Toshiba A15-S129.
> Toshiba suggested that I purchase a PA3212U-3MPCR. Is there a generic
> replacement that might be cheaper?
>
> Thanks,
> Josh

Well I bought the Dell 1300 and installed it successfully. For those
that come after me, you only need to unscrew the screw at post 4 on
the bottom to get the mini-pci cover off. The other screws in the
vicinity are not related to that cover. Also, I spoke with Toshiba
Support and the "white" wire connects to "main" on the card and the
"black" wire connects to "aux" or "auxillary." Finally, you don't
need a special tool to put them on or off, just push them on using
your screwdriver (careful!) for counter support and if you mess up
wiggle the metal back and forth until it comes off.

So far XP Home recognizes there is a wireless network card and that a
network is in the vicinity, but it won't allow me to connect to the
network. I'll try to post again when/if I get it working correctly.

Josh

In article <(E-Mail Removed) >,
Josh <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>Well I bought the Dell 1300 and installed it successfully. For those
>that come after me, you only need to unscrew the screw at post 4 on
>the bottom to get the mini-pci cover off. The other screws in the
>vicinity are not related to that cover.

You're lucky. The mini-PCI access door on my Satellite Pro 4600 is secured
by two #6 tamper-resistant torx screws. Finding an appropriate screwdriver
or bit to remove these is not impossible, but it isn't the size you normally
find in your toolbox, even if you do have security screwdriver sets.

>Also, I spoke with Toshiba
>Support and the "white" wire connects to "main" on the card and the
>"black" wire connects to "aux" or "auxillary."

FWIW I tried them both ways and didn't see any difference in signal
levels.

>So far XP Home recognizes there is a wireless network card and that a
>network is in the vicinity, but it won't allow me to connect to the
>network. I'll try to post again when/if I get it working correctly.

Well, I am using my card to post this message now at another wireless
network. It might not be working at my home, but that could be an
issue specific to me. It is working fine at this local. FYI, I have
installed the drivers and software from the Dell disk that came with
the card as well as the Toshiba wi-fi executable that they have on
their site.

Good luck to all... it seems to work fine for me.

Josh

It turns out the culpret in this case was the wireless router. I am
running a Netgear MR814v2 and there is a known issue with them
connection with the Dell 1300 Wireless card. I upgraded the firmware
on the router to version 5.03 and now it works like a charm. Yeah!

So net, net after a little playing around everything is working great.

Good luck to all who follow. This looks like the cheapest wireless
combo at the time since the Netgear router can be had for $25 after
rebate if you look around. It is 802.11b, but my DSL is only 1.x mbps
anyway so who cares... I can always use the hard wired port!

Josh