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Contents 1 How to improve your notebook’s Wi-Fi card, upgrading it to Ubiquiti SR71-E 1.1 Requirements 2 Installation 2.1 First step 2.2 Second step, opening the case 2.3 Third step, removing the keyboard 2.4 Fourth step, removing the “old” Wifi card 2.5 Fifth step, installing the Ubiquiti SR71-E 2.6 Sixth step, installing drivers

How to improve your notebook’s Wi-Fi card, upgrading it to Ubiquiti SR71-E

Author: Salvador Bertenbreiter November 22th 2009

This is a step to step guide, which shows you how to replace your standard internal Wi-Fi card (PCI-Express) with the Hi-Performance Ubiquiti SR71-E. The instructions are based on a Sony VAIO SZ650N computer, in any case, the procedure is nearly the same for any laptop. You only need to know how to disassemble your computer and access to the mini-PCI-Express slot. If you don’t know how to access it, try using google.

In order to use the SR71-E, make sure your notebook has mini-PCIe slots for wireless cards. Older notebooks use mini-PCI cards which are not compatible with the SR71-E. It is also worth checking whether your notebook's BIOS has any restrictions about wireless cards.

Note: the IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad BIOS will only allow certain mini-PCIe wireless cards to be used. The BIOS will generate an error if the card is not one of the ones it recognizes.

Remember: If you choose to follow these instructions, you will very likely be invalidating your warranty; so be aware that you’ll do this at your own risk.

Requirements

• An Ubiquiti SR71-E card, of course.

• One or more precision screwdrivers (size and type required could vary for each computer model)

• The notebook’s disassembly manual (if you don’t know how to access to the ini-PCI-Express (mini-PCIe) slot)

Installation

First step

First of all, make sure your computer is turned off and the power cable is unplugged. Then remove the battery. Please, remember to check all these things before opening the case or else you could damage your computer permanently.

Second step, opening the case

Close the lid, flip the notebook over so you are looking at its underside

Remove the screws that retain the keyboard and the palmrest.

Third step, removing the keyboard

Now follow the instructions from your disassembly manual to remove the keyboard and palmrest. In the case of the Sony SZ, there are 2 little clips that you have to push in, then slide your spatula (or a flat screwdriver) under the keyboard and lift from the back.

Retract the keyboard, then disconnect the ribbon cable and remove it completely

Unscrew 3 screws that retain the palmrest. Then slide the palmrest out and flip it over.

Fourth step, removing the “old” Wifi card

Disconnect the three antennae cables (possibly, other notebooks have only 2) using a flat screwdriver.

Slide the two clips that hold the PCI-Express card. Doing that will cause the card to automatically come up. Remove it.

Fifth step, installing the Ubiquiti SR71-E

Insert the SR71-E card in the PCI-Express slot. Be sure it is held with the two clips.

Connect the cables, in this case chain 0 is the white cable, chain 1 being the grey one. (If you don’t know which cables you must connect in chains 0 and 1, ask your computer manufacturer).

Now reassemble the parts, firstly put the palmrest and its 3 top screws in place again, then the keyboard and finally the 4 screws at the base of the notebook.

Sixth step, installing drivers

Go to www.ubnt.com/support/mob.php and download the latest driver for the SR71 series.

Run the file and follow the steps that will appear on the screen. Currently, the driver is fully compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 (However, for the time being, the Ubiquiti Client Utility doesn’t work under Windows 7).

Finally connect to a wireless network to verify that the new card works properly.