Help needed with Gateway 450SX4 laptop

[jbhtexas]

Since I have my Gateway 450SX4 laptop ripped apart to put in a "new" used motherboard (don't pick up the 450SX4 by the front corner, or you will be also be putting in a new MB), I decided to add an mPCI wireless network card. This requires installing an internal antenna in the lid. I bought a used 450 series plastic lid for a couple of bucks that had an antenna installed, but upon checking the part number of the antenna, I found out that the antenna was for one of the other 450 series laptops (the wires were too short to reach the mPCI card).

So, I went online and bought a 450SX4 antenna. This antenna is quite different than the one that came with the other lid, and doesn't seem to fit where the other one was installed, so I'm not sure exactly how to install it.

I've searched around the Internet for some pictures or instructions, and have not found anything. Mundo, where I bought the antenna, does not give instructions for the antenna, because it is not considered a "user serviceable" part.

Would anyone happen to know where I might find a picture or some instructions on how to install the 450SX4 antenna?

Thanks!

 

[Cyclonepride]

I would suggest that you take it outside and stomp it into little pieces. Then go buy a new one. Sounds extreme, but almost inevitable:biggrin9gp:

 

[Dave19642006]

http://support.gateway.com/s/manuals/mobile/8508773.pdf

try this and see what they have. if not call the support for gateway

 

[CYdTracked]

Yeah, first off I have little sympathy for you if you have a Gateway.

Second, you probably would have been better off just buying a PCMCIA or USB wireless card. I bought a PCMCIA for like $30 a couple years ago and a USB one for around $15 just the other year so I'm sure you can find something in the $15-$20 range now. Lot less hassle, I know the internal cards are conveinent but if it didn't already come with one I'm betting the internal card not only costs more but is a pain in the a$$ to install too which is not worth it in time if it were me.

 

[jbhtexas]

Yeah, first off I have little sympathy for you if you have a Gateway.

Second, you probably would have been better off just buying a PCMCIA or USB wireless card. I bought a PCMCIA for like $30 a couple years ago and a USB one for around $15 just the other year so I'm sure you can find something in the $15-$20 range now. Lot less hassle, I know the internal cards are conveinent but if it didn't already come with one I'm betting the internal card not only costs more but is a pain in the a$$ to install too which is not worth it in time if it were me.

I already have a cheap SMC PCMCIA card and it works poorly, which is why I'm giving the internal card a try. The Intel internal card I got was only $25. The internal card pops right in the bottom. Unfortunately, my notebook wasn't prewired, but so it goes...

USB network cards...I guess they are OK if you don't have any other USB perhipherals that need bandwidth...I however do...

 

[CYdTracked]

Well just my opinion really. You might just have a bad card. My Belkin PCMCIA card works fine and I've taken it several places. I bought a Netgear USB for a PC in my basement but my roommate uses it now but never had any bandwidth issues with it on either PC.

What brand router do you use? I haven't heard many good things about Linksys but I'be bought 4 Netgears over the past few years for family and friends and none of them have had any wireless issues with them.

 

[jbhtexas]

What brand router do you use? I haven't heard many good things about Linksys but I'be bought 4 Netgears over the past few years for family and friends and none of them have had any wireless issues with them.

I don't use wireless at my house. I primarily use wireless when traveling for business, so I really don't know what equipment is used at the places where I go. I can be sitting next to people who will be getting a consistent steady signal, and the SMC will be dropping in and out.

Also, the SMC is very particular about it's environemnt. If the laptop is sitting on a hard table so the antenna part of the card is above the table, no signal...move the laptop to the edge of the table where the antenna part of the card can be out in the open air, and the card will find signal.

In any case, I've got the internal card, and somehow I'll figure out how to mount the antenna...

 

[clonesalltheway]

travman what do you have against Gateways?

 

[83Clone]

I would suggest that you take it outside and stomp it into little pieces. Then go buy a new one. Sounds extreme, but almost inevitable:biggrin9gp:

And make the new one a MacBook

 

[cyputz]

One of my laptops is a Gateway (one year old, preferred by wife, she purchased), the other a Compag (company choice, two years old). I have had absolutely no problems with either one. I use wireless 100% at home, 2 - 6 hrs daily/religiously.

My wife has a Gateway (two years old) and she would get no other. She is tech savy and prefers Gateway over Dell. She moved from Dell to Gateway two years ago because of poor tech support by Dell. Our neighbor has Dell, and has struggled now for two years.

My son-in-law works for Avanade (Microsoft/Accdenture) and they supply toshiba with ethe new windows...and he loves it.

Based on my nephew, who just purchased a Macbook recently....he loves it.

So it all depends on your taste and experiences.

 

[clonesalltheway]

I love Gateway, have had mine for two years and haven't had anything wrong with it. My girlfriend has a Dell and has had a lot of troubles with it even though it is only a year old.

 

[CyclonesRule]

So it all depends on your taste and experiences.

I didn't want to quote cyputz whole post but he is right it does depend on taste and experiences. I do tech support for the company I work for. While we don't have anybody on Gateways, we do have people using both IBM and Dell laptops. I hear people on both sides of the boat some say they love their IBM while others say they hate it. Even though it is the same model of laptop. I get the same story when people are talking about thier Dell

 

[jbhtexas]

Well, in any case, I installed the antenna as best I could. I fired up the wireless card and picked up a (secured) network from one of my neighbors, so I must have done something right.