Busted Auxiliary laptop antenna cable

[Fjolfrin]

I have an Alienware 13 R3 with a busted antenna cable (see pic). The male UFL connector is missing, and as such I have unstable and unusable Bluetooth. Before you ask, no I didn't do it and it did not came like this from Dell, I bought it refurbished/used and it was this way from the beginning. I didn't mind all this time, but I've been fixing a lot of things on the laptop and I want to get this over with as well.  Also, it is not a software issue, I've tried many things but to no avail. It is certainly a hardware problem.

 

Now I've seen that I can replace the connector, there is a shop nearby selling cables like this for cheap, and I can just remove the connector from the new cable and attach it in the old one. There are videos of this and it is feasible, but hard, and I'll have to do this over the laptop which is not ideal. Replacing the whole antenna is not an option as I would have to do a full disassembly and order a new antenna assembly which who knows how much it'll cost.

Also I've seen that Killer network cards are considered kinda crappy, and many people have just bought Intel ones and any problems they had disappeared, even with the main cable alone (wihtout the auxiliary).

 

What do you think? Should I fix the cable or just buy a new card? Also do you think the cable is really the issue, or it is the card again and thus it is up for replacement?

Cheers!

[aramini]

If it was me, I would replace the card. If you don't want to mess with replacing the antenna wire, I don't see why you couldn't get the replacement wire kit (they're pretty cheap) and instead of replacing the whole wire, just cut the end off of the new wire, a few inches from the end of the connector (so that you have plenty of spare wire on the bare end if your first attempt goes awry) and splice it together with the existing wire that is missing the connector.

 

You could twist them together, solder over them and wrap in electrical tape. Or use those shrink wrap tubes that shrink when you apply heat near them (such as the soldering iron). Work carefully and take your time.

You just need to work with the wire, so

put something over the laptop like tin foil, so in case the solder drips, it lands on the tin foil and not inside the laptop. Make sure unplug the laptop and remember to remove the battery before working on it as a safety precaution.

 

Or just twist them together (no soldering) wrap the wire in electrical tape and hope for the best. I personally would replace the card either way with something better/more reliable.

 

Just my opinion/idea.

[Fjolfrin]

1 hour ago, aramini said:

If it was me, I would replace the card. If you don't want to mess with replacing the antenna wire, I don't see why you couldn't get the replacement wire kit (they're pretty cheap) and instead of replacing the whole wire, just cut the end off of the new wire, a few inches from the end of the connector (so that you have plenty of spare wire on the bare end if your first attempt goes awry) and splice it together with the existing wire that is missing the connector.

 

You could twist them together, solder over them and wrap in electrical tape. Or use those shrink wrap tubes that shrink when you apply heat near them (such as the soldering iron). Work carefully and take your time.

You just need to work with the wire, so

put something over the laptop like tin foil, so in case the solder drips, it lands on the tin foil and not inside the laptop. Make sure unplug the laptop and remember to remove the battery before working on it as a safety precaution.

 

Or just twist them together (no soldering) wrap the wire in electrical tape and hope for the best. I personally would replace the card either way with something better/more reliable.

 

Just my opinion/idea.

So I'm better off doing both. Actually good idea on the cable joining thing, I should have thought about it. And since they are coax cables it would be pretty easy.

I'll look into it. Thanks!