Toshiba A75-S209 Wireless PCMCIA Card?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jw
  • Start date Start date
J

jw

As my earlier posts show, I have resurrected a Toshiba A75-S209
laptop, and it works fine except it has practically zero wireless
range to my Verizon wireless router.

I am looking to increase the Toshiba's range. Since I don't know
where the internal Toshiba antenna is, One way would be using a
PCMCIA card, such as the PA-WL/54AG-SD1. I think.

Should I worry if PCMCIA wireless card is compatible?
How do the cards connect up?
Does they have own built-in antenna, or must I connect one to the
card?
Is there a better choice than the PA-WL/54AG-SD1?

Assuming there is one, would a different wireless module be a better
choice?

Thanks

Duke
 
As my earlier posts show, I have resurrected a Toshiba A75-S209
laptop, and it works fine except it has practically zero wireless
range to my Verizon wireless router.

I am looking to increase the Toshiba's range. Since I don't know
where the internal Toshiba antenna is, One way would be using a
PCMCIA card, such as the PA-WL/54AG-SD1. I think.

Should I worry if PCMCIA wireless card is compatible?
How do the cards connect up?
Does they have own built-in antenna, or must I connect one to the
card?
Is there a better choice than the PA-WL/54AG-SD1?

Assuming there is one, would a different wireless module be a better
choice?
Click to expand...

I may have missed some of your earlier thread, but there was some mention of
loose wires . .. Perhaps those are the antenna and just need connecting to
the wifi card also mentioned in the other thread.I imagine a wifi card with
no antenna would have a very short range.
 
I may have missed some of your earlier thread, but there was some mention of
loose wires . .. Perhaps those are the antenna and just need connecting to
the wifi card also mentioned in the other thread.I imagine a wifi card with
no antenna would have a very short range.
Click to expand...

Yes I had and still have two loose wires (black and white) with bare
copper ends. They lay across the wifi card which i think is a
PA3373U-1MPC. Maybe the wires should connect to the card. But I
would have to get the right wire to the right connection. Also I
would have to either clip the wire ends to something or solder them. I
see no evidence of prior soldering. I do see two little pins on the
board marked 'main' and 'aux', but no idea if they are related. Since
the board is removable, and the wires are not, I have to assume the
attachments, if there are any, are clips of some sort. Think so?

I wish I were more sure that the wires should attach to the board, but
that does make some sense, huh?

Maybe if I could just read somewhere that the two wires indeed are
antenna wires. I don't even know that for sure.

Thanks for your interest.

Duke
 
Yes I had and still have two loose wires (black and white) with bare
copper ends. They lay across the wifi card which i think is a
PA3373U-1MPC. Maybe the wires should connect to the card. But I
would have to get the right wire to the right connection. Also I
would have to either clip the wire ends to something or solder them. I
see no evidence of prior soldering. I do see two little pins on the
board marked 'main' and 'aux', but no idea if they are related. Since
the board is removable, and the wires are not, I have to assume the
attachments, if there are any, are clips of some sort. Think so?

I wish I were more sure that the wires should attach to the board, but
that does make some sense, huh?

Maybe if I could just read somewhere that the two wires indeed are
antenna wires. I don't even know that for sure.

Thanks for your interest.

Duke
Click to expand...

When you install a Wifi card, you...

1) Slide the Wifi module into the mini-PCI slot, so it is seated.
The Wifi module gets power and digital connections via that slot.

2) Examine the module for "Main" and "Aux". Those should be
coaxial connectors. A coaxial cable, consists of a central
conductor, plus a round mesh or foil shield that goes around
it. Plastic is used to insulate the central wire, so it
doesn't touch the shield. An example of such a construct,
is your cable TV wire. It is similar in design, just a bit bigger.

You should *only* connect coaxial cabling to "Main" and "Aux". If
you had a cable with a coaxial connector on one end, and bare wires
on the other end, you wouldn't use it.

coaxial cable
Coaxial_connector -------------------- bare wires (Do not use)

The only thing valid to connect as an antenna, is like this.
No bare wires should be exposed.

coaxial cable
Coaxial_connector -------------------- antenna_assembly

The reason for this, is antennas work best, if there is "power transfer".
Maximum power transfer occurs, if the coax cable and antenna, match
the impedance of the Main and Aux connectors. If that is the case,
none of the transmitter power is "reflected backwards".

This is an example of a complete antenna assembly.

http://www.zkarlo.com/ZkarloImages/ProductImages/R58.jpg

There is a PCB assembly on the end of each cable. That
contains a dipole structure or the like, which is
the actual impedance matched antenna. It doesn't have
a lot of exposed area, but still works fine. Trust
the RF engineers, to do it right. There is no need
to connect giant "buggy whips" to the thing, to make
your Wifi work.

Paul
 
Yes I had and still have two loose wires (black and white) with bare
copper ends. They lay across the wifi card which i think is a
PA3373U-1MPC. Maybe the wires should connect to the card. But I
would have to get the right wire to the right connection. Also I
would have to either clip the wire ends to something or solder them. I
see no evidence of prior soldering. I do see two little pins on the
board marked 'main' and 'aux', but no idea if they are related. Since
the board is removable, and the wires are not, I have to assume the
attachments, if there are any, are clips of some sort. Think so?

I wish I were more sure that the wires should attach to the board, but
that does make some sense, huh?

Maybe if I could just read somewhere that the two wires indeed are
antenna wires. I don't even know that for sure.

Thanks for your interest.
Click to expand...

Take a look here:
mini pci wifi card with antenna connected ..
http://www.thinkpads.com/wp-content...de/lenovo-thinkpad-t410-upgrade-wifi-card.jpg

Do your loose wires look similar?
I'm just wondering if maybe someone snipped off the connector ends.
 
When you install a Wifi card, you...

1) Slide the Wifi module into the mini-PCI slot, so it is seated.
The Wifi module gets power and digital connections via that slot.
Click to expand...

I have always had my module seated thus. Thanks for making sure I
know that though.
2) Examine the module for "Main" and "Aux". Those should be
coaxial connectors. A coaxial cable, consists of a central
conductor, plus a round mesh or foil shield that goes around
it. Plastic is used to insulate the central wire, so it
doesn't touch the shield. An example of such a construct,
is your cable TV wire. It is similar in design, just a bit bigger.
Click to expand...

I would be surprised if the pins are for coax connection. They are
much too small for any coax I know of, and I don't see any threads
with which to attach.
You should *only* connect coaxial cabling to "Main" and "Aux". If
you had a cable with a coaxial connector on one end, and bare wires
on the other end, you wouldn't use it.

coaxial cable
Coaxial_connector -------------------- bare wires (Do not use)

The only thing valid to connect as an antenna, is like this.
No bare wires should be exposed.

coaxial cable
Coaxial_connector -------------------- antenna_assembly

The reason for this, is antennas work best, if there is "power transfer".
Maximum power transfer occurs, if the coax cable and antenna, match
the impedance of the Main and Aux connectors. If that is the case,
none of the transmitter power is "reflected backwards".

This is an example of a complete antenna assembly.

http://www.zkarlo.com/ZkarloImages/ProductImages/R58.jpg

There is a PCB assembly on the end of each cable. That
contains a dipole structure or the like, which is
the actual impedance matched antenna. It doesn't have
a lot of exposed area, but still works fine. Trust
the RF engineers, to do it right. There is no need
to connect giant "buggy whips" to the thing, to make
your Wifi work.
Click to expand...

Man, this is a 'mess'. I certainly would not have anything like this
connected within the laptop would i?

This picture you sent me earlier
http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/ToshibaA75/disassembly/big/Toshiba_A75_02.jpg

shows a PA3373U-1MPC wireless module with the two wires in question
neatly folded on top and seem to go under some sort of metal ?strip?,
as yet unknown to me. Could the metal ?strip? be an antenna? It lays
right on top of the 'main' and 'aux' pins on the Wifi module. Maybe
somehow the wires are made to connect to the pins by the strip?
Mass confusion here. For me anyway.
 
Take a look here:
mini pci wifi card with antenna connected ..
http://www.thinkpads.com/wp-content...de/lenovo-thinkpad-t410-upgrade-wifi-card.jpg

Do your loose wires look similar?
I'm just wondering if maybe someone snipped off the connector ends.
Click to expand...

No they do not - if my wires had any kind of clip on their ends,
someone cut them off probably when the wires were separated from
whatever they were connected to. The wire ends in your picture
appear to be normal wire-end connectors, and at first glance would
appear NOT to be able to connect to the pins on my PA3373U-1MPC
module. However, I found a clearer picture of that 622ANHMW card at
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Intel-Advanced-N-6200-IBM-mini-Half-card-60Y3191-/170519503187

in which the pins match what I have PERFECTLY. Therefore, I have to
conclude that I need to find wire-ends like those in your picture. Do
you agree?

Thanks


Duke
 
No they do not - if my wires had any kind of clip on their ends,
someone cut them off probably when the wires were separated from
whatever they were connected to. The wire ends in your picture
appear to be normal wire-end connectors, and at first glance would
appear NOT to be able to connect to the pins on my PA3373U-1MPC
module. However, I found a clearer picture of that 622ANHMW card at
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Intel-Advanced-N-6200-IBM-mini-Half-card-60Y3191-/170519503187

in which the pins match what I have PERFECTLY. Therefore, I have to
conclude that I need to find wire-ends like those in your picture. Do
you agree?
Click to expand...

Yes , you need those clips re-attached to your antenna wires. I think they
might be called pigtails .. but I did not find a link on how to attached
said pigtails to antennae. I'll look again later unless Paul, or someone
else comes back with the info you require.
 
I have always had my module seated thus. Thanks for making sure I
know that though.


I would be surprised if the pins are for coax connection. They are
much too small for any coax I know of, and I don't see any threads
with which to attach.


Man, this is a 'mess'. I certainly would not have anything like this
connected within the laptop would i?

This picture you sent me earlier
http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/ToshibaA75/disassembly/big/Toshiba_A75_02.jpg

shows a PA3373U-1MPC wireless module with the two wires in question
neatly folded on top and seem to go under some sort of metal ?strip?,
as yet unknown to me. Could the metal ?strip? be an antenna? It lays
right on top of the 'main' and 'aux' pins on the Wifi module. Maybe
somehow the wires are made to connect to the pins by the strip?
Mass confusion here. For me anyway.
Click to expand...

The antenna wires (coaxial cables), typically go up inside the display panel.
Have a look through the whole thread, as someone had a signal strength problem.

http://www.dexplor.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7746925

The thing on the end of the coaxial cable, looks like this. These are
done on pieces of PCB, so that precise copper patterns can be cut.
Microwave designer make up these patterns, for best transmission
properties.

http://www.rfantenna.com.tw/antenna/wf_12.htm

While things like RP-SMA connectors are popular on some kinds of Wifi,
the connectors on the end of the laptop Wifi could be U.FL connectors.
This is an example of a replacement. These don't screw on, they press
into place. And this scheme, might need something pressing on it, to
keep these connectors seated. Things like the larger RP-SMA have
threads and screw into place, and are less likely to come loose.
I expect the material cost of these is dirt cheap (except for the
assembly labor). The SMA connectors are much better, in terms of
connector design. They can actually be reused. These would be preferred
in a laptop, because they're tiny and low profile (not very tall). But if
the connector guy I used to work with saw one of these, he'd scoff at it.

http://www.rfcoaxcable.com/mini_coaxial_cables/ipex_coax_cables/ipex_rf_coaxial_cable.html

That kind of press fit assembly, makes it possible for "big fingers"
like mine, to squash and ruin the connectors. A poster in the first thread
above, notes that those coax connectors can only take a limited number
of cycles, before they don't grip properly.

Paul
 
123Jim said:
Yes , you need those clips re-attached to your antenna wires. I think they
might be called pigtails .. but I did not find a link on how to attached
said pigtails to antennae. I'll look again later unless Paul, or someone
else comes back with the info you require.
Click to expand...

Seems like you can't buy the connector separate to the pigtails (antenna),
and connecting it properly will be very difficult. So you could buy new
antenna for your laptop, but that means you need to disassemble the laptop
to thread the antenna through. Not sure if I could be bothered with that
since wireless adapters ( PCMCIA or USB ) are very cheap. I think I read
you would ~not~ want to use a USB port, so if you have a PC slot free then
that might be the way to go. e.g.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...ield-keywords=wireless+adapter+pcmcia&x=0&y=0
 
Seems like you can't buy the connector separate to the pigtails (antenna),
and connecting it properly will be very difficult. So you could buy new
antenna for your laptop, but that means you need to disassemble the laptop
to thread the antenna through. Not sure if I could be bothered with that
since wireless adapters ( PCMCIA or USB ) are very cheap. I think I read
you would ~not~ want to use a USB port, so if you have a PC slot free then
that might be the way to go. e.g.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...ield-keywords=wireless+adapter+pcmcia&x=0&y=0
Click to expand...


Yes - earlier in all this, I looked at PCMCIA Wireless Network
adapters as a way for me to go, before I found I had the PA3373U-1MPC
card. Damn! I sure wish the someone had not clipped the wire-ends.
My initial negative on the PCMCIA was the fact that the adapter and
its antenna might get in the way or be otherwise objectionable.

Thanks for your insight and suggestions.

I now will study Paul's response a little closer.

Duke
 
123Jim said:
Seems like you can't buy the connector separate to the pigtails (antenna),
and connecting it properly will be very difficult. So you could buy new
antenna for your laptop, but that means you need to disassemble the laptop
to thread the antenna through. Not sure if I could be bothered with that
since wireless adapters ( PCMCIA or USB ) are very cheap. I think I read
you would ~not~ want to use a USB port, so if you have a PC slot free then
that might be the way to go. e.g.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...ield-keywords=wireless+adapter+pcmcia&x=0&y=0
Click to expand...

Just to answer one of the first questions in this thread .. the antenna are
internal in the PCMCIA wifi adapters.

In addition it's a real mystery why someone would cut off the antenna
connectors
 
The antenna wires (coaxial cables), typically go up inside the display panel.
Have a look through the whole thread, as someone had a signal strength problem.

http://www.dexplor.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7746925

The thing on the end of the coaxial cable, looks like this. These are
done on pieces of PCB, so that precise copper patterns can be cut.
Microwave designer make up these patterns, for best transmission
properties.

http://www.rfantenna.com.tw/antenna/wf_12.htm

While things like RP-SMA connectors are popular on some kinds of Wifi,
the connectors on the end of the laptop Wifi could be U.FL connectors.
This is an example of a replacement. These don't screw on, they press
into place. And this scheme, might need something pressing on it, to
keep these connectors seated. Things like the larger RP-SMA have
threads and screw into place, and are less likely to come loose.
I expect the material cost of these is dirt cheap (except for the
assembly labor). The SMA connectors are much better, in terms of
connector design. They can actually be reused. These would be preferred
in a laptop, because they're tiny and low profile (not very tall). But if
the connector guy I used to work with saw one of these, he'd scoff at it.

http://www.rfcoaxcable.com/mini_coaxial_cables/ipex_coax_cables/ipex_rf_coaxial_cable.html

That kind of press fit assembly, makes it possible for "big fingers"
like mine, to squash and ruin the connectors. A poster in the first thread
above, notes that those coax connectors can only take a limited number
of cycles, before they don't grip properly.

Paul
Click to expand...

The last pic shows perfectly what the ends would look like. If I
could find just two of them, then I would think I could solder them to
the wire-ends and then attach them to my card. But, I think I will
probably get a PCMCIA adapter instead assuming their pricing is not
prohibitive.

Thank you for all your responses to this dunderhead.

Duke
 
Just to answer one of the first questions in this thread .. the antenna are
internal in the PCMCIA wifi adapters.
Click to expand...

Well then - that would mean I would not have to dismantle my laptop.
If I only have to re-solder 2 connectors, maybe I will email China to
try to get a couple.
In addition it's a real mystery why someone would cut off the antenna
connectors
Click to expand...

I agree.

Thanks
Duke
 
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