10 Posts
0
4171
September 10th, 2022 04:00
17 R3, WiFi card, antenna cables are damaged
Alienware 17 R3
While reassembling my AW17 R3 I did damage my Wifi card pins and their antenna cables. It was a chance to upgrade the old card with a new one (Intel AX200). Now I am facing many choices to replace the old damaged antenna cables but I do not know if they are all ok to go with:
1- Buying any new antenna cable from amazon (Assuming it is just standard for any laptop)
2- Buying used AW17 R3 cable (Assuming it is specific for AW17 R3)
3- Buying any AW antenna cable (Assuming they are specific for AW laptops in general)
4- Trying to replace the damaged coaxial terminals of the cables with new coaxial terminals
What is the best solution? and is there a choices should I avoid?
No Events found!
ejn63
10 Elder
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28.6K Posts
1
September 17th, 2022 10:00
Since you will need to remove the existing cables anyway, measure them and then order accordingly. That said, the chances of damaging something when you disassemble the display assembly are high enough, if you don't want to solder a new lead on the antenna, you may be better off simply purchasing a USB wifi adapter.
You're going to be dismantling an assembly with plastic that is 10 years old -- the chances you'll damage something are not insignificant.
crimsom
7 Technologist
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6.1K Posts
0
September 10th, 2022 08:00
Hi @Simzware welcome to this free user to user Alienware laptop discussion forum.
Thank you for including photographs in the opening post. The main white Wi-Fi connector has been detached from its card, but the main white antenna termination photograph is not in focus. Please have a good look at wire termination to determine if detached connector continues to be held within wire claw. If yes, carefully remove detached connector and install new Wi-Fi card.
Simzware
10 Posts
0
September 10th, 2022 14:00
Hi@crimsom, Thanks for your reply and help. I have tried many times to connect the white cable to the Wi-Fi card but it was no use. On the other hand, the black cable could smoothly be connected many times. The condition of the white cable is not good comparing to the black cable. Here are some photos of the cables:
crimsom
7 Technologist
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6.1K Posts
0
September 10th, 2022 14:00
Hi @Simzware thank you for sharing photographs of black and white antenna cables.
Please carefully remove debris from within white cable's clasp. Side views should be identical, see following image. Thank you.
Simzware
10 Posts
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September 10th, 2022 14:00
@crimsom
I will try, although it is very hard and I am afraid of damaging it totally. To be honest, I do not think that I will succeed.
crimsom
7 Technologist
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6.1K Posts
0
September 10th, 2022 15:00
Hi @Simzware thank you for sharing update.
Have a chat with colleague who has this expertise.
The alternative is taking Alienware 17 R3 laptop to specialist workshop to get white cable termination replaced, etc. all the way up to install expensive new LCD Display Assembly. $100 Dell Laptop Repair | Dell Repair | Laptop Repair | Notebook Service Center (parts-people.com)
Simzware
10 Posts
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September 12th, 2022 10:00
@crimsom
Unfortunately and as I expected, the white cable is now totally damaged. I went today to a workshop and they told me it is not possible to get its termination replaced. They also told me that the only solution is to replace the whole cable, which is not a big deal for me. I have no problem to do it myself and this leads us to the first three choices top in the main post. Thanks for your time and your help.
crimsom
7 Technologist
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6.1K Posts
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September 12th, 2022 12:00
Hi @Simzware thank you for sharing update.
Replacing the complete Alienware 17 R3 Wi-Fi antenna cable has the potential to damage many other laptop parts. Can the now detached ipx connector be reattached? Alternatively get another ipx connector with the antenna cable attached and splice the wires, solder and heat shrink. It may seem an internal to laptop amateur fix, but it would probably be easier and safer than replacing the whole antenna cable and pulling the lid and screen panel apart.
I have replaced a complete laptop Wi-Fi antenna cable but pulling the lid apart can detach/break many of the plastic lugs that hold this assembly together at the rim. Installing a new complete lid and screen assembly is the professional but expensive solution.
abraxxax
8 Posts
1
September 14th, 2022 06:00
You need new wifi card and cable antena.
Çift bantlı WiFi 6 Intel AX200 2974Mbps Bluetooth 5.2 WiFi 6E AX210 kablosuz M.2 802.11ax MU MIMO NGFF Laptop Wlan WiFi kart Win10|Ağ Kartları| - AliExpress
IPEX4 dizüstü WiFi dahili anten antenler NGFF MHF4 anten AX200NGW 9260NGW 8260NGW 8265NGW 7265NGW 7260NGW|Ağ Kartları| - AliExpress
Simzware
10 Posts
0
September 17th, 2022 10:00
Hi @crimsom , thanks for your reply.
It is not possible to solder the cable. And actually, I do not have a problem with replacing the cable. All what I need to know is the type and the length of the antenna cable of Alienware 17 R3.
Simzware
10 Posts
0
September 17th, 2022 10:00
Hi @abraxxax, Thanks for your comment. Could you tell me which length should I buy for my Alienware 17 R3?
crimsom
7 Technologist
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6.1K Posts
1
September 17th, 2022 11:00
Hi @Simzware there are many internet sellers of Dell Alienware 17 R4 R5 WiFi Antenna Receives Signal Cable DP/N 01V50L but did not find any sellers of Wi‑Fi Antenna cable by length. Even if you get to know the white cable length by measurement, etc. more information is required to determine your Dell Alienware 17 R3 Wi‑Fi Cable Dell Part Number (DP/N).
Amazon.com search: USB WiFi Wireless Adapter
Hi @DELL-Chris M please have a look within internal Dell parts catalogue to share Alienware 17 R3 Wi‑Fi Cable DP/N. Thank you in anticipation.
DELL-Chris M
Community Manager
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56.8K Posts
2
September 17th, 2022 12:00
It shows as not for sale. Do a Google search to see if there is a seller out there.
3G2TG Foxconn antenna cable