[Solved] Laptop wireless antenna

[tunna]

Hello everyone,

 

I need your help again :) one of the antenna from the wireless card on my laptop has broken off. Can I use heat resistant glue to put it back together? It doesn't look like the connection was held together by metal in the first place. I've taken a picture.

 

Thanks in advance,

Zoë

[Jelly Bean]

I wouldnt use glue,my choice is solder it back on or buy a new one...

[tunna]

Hi thanks for the reply!

 

If I buy a new card would I have to attach the wires myself? I don't have a soldering iron...

[Vr5fx]

Looks like an easy solder but if you don't have experience with a soldering iron, it would be easier to buy a new one.

The black and white wires are easy to take off, you can even be rather rough with them. If you lift the black cable as close to the connection as possible it should pop off (you will also have to take the connection from the white cable too, as it's lifted from the card)

Can we have the make and model of your laptop so finding a replacement would be easier.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Tunna, pity we are a bit too far away, but if I lived round the corner, I would have been happy to solder it back on for you.

 

That basically means, is there a friend or relative who both has a soldering iron, and can be trusted to do a good job?

 

Otherwise it does mean the expense of a new card.

 

Those connectors that each wire connects to are called spade connectors and should just pull off, and then push back on to the new card.

[tunna]

Hi all, thanks for the replies.

 

I don't know anyone with a soldering iron or else I would give it a go. Are replacement cards expensive?

 

I have a Toshiba L40-14l. Really old!

[Vr5fx]

Hi all, thanks for the replies.

 

I don't know anyone with a soldering iron or else I would give it a go. Are replacement cards expensive?

 

I have a Toshiba L40-14l. Really old!

 

If you use Ebay, then here you go.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOSHIBA-EQUIM-L40-14l-WIFI-CARD-1st-CLASS-POST-/300684709520?pt=UK_Computing_Other_Computing_Networking&hash=item4602348e90

 

I'd say for that price it's definitely worth a shot.

Let us know how it goes.

[tunna]

Thank you. I've ordered it. Hopefully will be here soon.

 

I broke my antenna when I was disassembling my laptop to apply thermal compound to the heat sink/graphics card/cpu. The laptop hasn't been on since. Is the new layer of thermal compound I've applied still good or should I take it all off and start from scratch?

[BeeCeeBee]

Assuming you did it right the first time there is no need to repeat the process. Laptops lie around in stores and warehouses for months without being used.

[Plastic Nev]

I agree with BeeCeeBee, it will be fine and should give no trouble now. Once applied and the heatsink locked in place, the thermal compound is there for either life, or until disturbed again.

 

Nev.

[tunna]

Hey guys,

 

The part arrived today and I've put my computer together but there's a problem with the white antenna. The connector is really loose and comes apart quite easily. I've taken a picture so would be grateful if you could have a look.

 

Thanks again. Really appreciate the help :)

Zoë

[tunna]

Hi guys, any ideas?

[Vr5fx]

Well that's a slight pickle.

Hopefully not all is lost, you "should" be able to connect it as it should, letting the cable sit in position and it should still work.

Have you tried connecting it and seeing if your able to access the internet with the new WiFi card and that cable sitting in place? If so you can tape the wire in place using electrical tape.

Possibly the easiest option in my opinion.

[tunna]

I haven't turned the computer on at all. I didn't know what to hold the connector in place with. Is tape the best option?

 

Thanks,

Zoë

[Plastic Nev]

I can see the connector on the end of the cable, but what is the odd small disk thing? Is that the connection that broke off the old wireless card?

If so, there should be a similar connection on the new card, so are you saying the connection on the cable end is now loose on the new card? try a gentle squeeze of the connection on the cable with a pair of pliers, perhaps might make it a tighter fit.

 

Nev

[tunna]

Hi Nev,

 

The disc thing came off the wire. It's supposed to connect to the card. I've tried squeezing it but it doesn't seemed to have helped. Should I use some glue?

 

Zoë

[KenB]

Hi Zoë

 

Don't use glue.

The connection needs to conduct electricity and glue is not the best conductor.

 

Does that round connection fit on the spade connection that is at the end of the wire shown ?

If so - you could try using a pair of pliers to squash it a little to make it tighter ( be careful here ) or ......

you could use a little kitchen ( aluminium ) foil between the joint so that the joint is tighter.

 

Is this a possibility ?

[tunna]

Hi Ken,

 

I've tried squeezing it and manipulating it for a while. It all fits together but the wire and the connector at the end keep falling apart. Is it difficult or expensive to get hold of a spare wire and is it difficult to install?

[KenB]

Hi

 

Is it this wire & connector that you are having problems with ?

 

 

If so you should be able to squash the 2 tabs down onto the wire using a pair of pliers.

(see attachment - yellow arrow indicates one of the tabs)

[tunna]

Hi guys,

 

As I write to you from my computer, I'd like to thank you for your patience and advice. Yes, it's all fixed :)

 

Zoe

[KenB]

That is good to hear Zoe.

 

Out of interest - how did you fix it ?