Mini PCI wireless NIC question

Pardon me for asking this one, as it probably has been asked before, but is
there a difference among the different wireless mini PCI cards? I have a
socket for one on my Inspiron 5100, but don't know if I have to get a
particular brand, one particular for the laptop, etc. I know I want
802.11g. With desktops it's easy, I just don't know for sure about laptops
as many components are proprietary, but all of the cards I've seen for
different laptops appear to have the same connector.

Thanks

"GMach3" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:kJLTe.33$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Pardon me for asking this one, as it probably has been asked before, but
> is there a difference among the different wireless mini PCI cards? I have
> a socket for one on my Inspiron 5100, but don't know if I have to get a
> particular brand, one particular for the laptop, etc. I know I want
> 802.11g. With desktops it's easy, I just don't know for sure about
> laptops as many components are proprietary, but all of the cards I've seen
> for different laptops appear to have the same connector.
>
> Thanks
>

get the Intel board, Dell fit them.

> there a difference among the different wireless mini PCI cards? I have a
> socket for one on my Inspiron 5100, but don't know if I have to get a
> particular brand, one particular for the laptop, etc. I know I want
> 802.11g. With desktops it's easy, I just don't know for sure about laptops

I had a couple of Dlink DWL 650G(?) desktop PCI adaptors lying around
with the miniPCI card under the shielding plate. I popped them out,
reworked the flylead which was soldered on, into a dipole antenna and
then just used that in a couple of laptops.

Any MiniPCI should work. Don't skimp... make sure you get a reputable
brand... it's worth it in the long run.

Chris

GMach3 wrote:

>Pardon me for asking this one, as it probably has been asked before, but is
>there a difference among the different wireless mini PCI cards? I have a
>socket for one on my Inspiron 5100, but don't know if I have to get a
>particular brand, one particular for the laptop, etc. I know I want
>802.11g. With desktops it's easy, I just don't know for sure about laptops
>as many components are proprietary, but all of the cards I've seen for
>different laptops appear to have the same connector.
>
>Thanks
>
>
>
>
Any mini-pci wireless card should fit and work. You need a separate
antenna for 802.11a . If you only have one antenna, you should get a
mini-pci supporting only 802.11b and 802.11g, although you can get a
card with 802.11a and turn off the 802.11a portion.

The Intel 2200bg and Intel 2915abg (same drivers) have driver problems.
I'd avoid them.