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January 6th, 2023 12:00
DELL Precision 7770 WWAN + Antenna Wiring
So I got a brand new 7770 and noticed it has a sim card slot in the back. Further digging and I need a wwan card but it needs to be wired during installation. I removed the heat sink assembly to find that the wire mentioned in the manual directions does not exist. After some chat support length, I was told the antenna is built into the screen... The link below shows this "WLAN bracket" and antennas. I dont have the antennas and mine looks like the WLAN bracket but not exactly like it...
Does anyone know how and what I need to install a working cellular connection to this laptop? I could probably buy an external USB one but then I have to lug it around with the laptop...
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filbert
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January 6th, 2023 13:00
I understand. For sure, internal is more convenient.
Swapping displays is possible, if you're careful. Display cable and connector are fragile.
I don't know the part number. You could ask @DELL-Cares, send Private Message with your question.
Whenever touching components or working inside a computer, wear a grounded wrist strap, also called anti-static wrist strap, ESD wrist strap, or ground bracelet. It's a cheap and sensible precaution. Rest the laptop on an anti-static mat or at least a reasonable alternative such as corrugated cardboard.
am_alc_2012
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January 6th, 2023 13:00
@filbert
Yeah, it was not ordered with the WWAN option. Does not have a wwan card or antenna. Picture below.
From the second link, it doesn't look too bad to remove and install if I buy a whole new display assembly... You don't happen to have a part # of the correct one?
The USB wifi dongles are like ~2-3 inches minimum on amazon and can easily get knocked off the side if not careful hence why I don't like having an external USB one... One that I always have to remember to bring or carefully make sure I don't knock it off and risk damaging the port. I move around a lot from site to site so my work environment isn't the friendliest. Therefore the convenience would be in the cellular connection being internal to the laptop.
filbert
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January 6th, 2023 13:00
If the laptop already has the antenna installed, then it's possible to install the WWAN card and get it functional. If the antenna is not present, then the job would not be trivial. And if your laptop was not ordered with WWAN option, then it will not have the antenna.
To install the WWAN antenna would require disassembling the display which, given that some parts are glued together and some are fragile, comes with a high risk of damage. Alternatively, you could replace the display with one containing the WWAN antenna.
You can get external WWAN adapters that connect to a USB port. No lugging is required, as they are small.