I'd like to upgrade the network wifi card

[omeggga]

So I got an hp pavilion 15-r111ns and I'd like to upgrade the wifi card. Self explanatory. What are my options for it? Also, does the BIOS have a hardware whitelist? Currently it has the default 709505-001 card.

Also just as important: how do I choose the right cables? All the connector pins look the same and only have a difference once you have them in your hand.

My eye has been on the intel wireless dual-band 7260, but I'd love some second opinons.

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

You will not have a BIOS whitelist. However, your model very likely has a single antenna lead which is going to make your wireless options very limited. Here is the Service Manual:

Manual 

See pp. 61 and 62 for "how to". 

All wireless cards with the same form factor (in your case minipcie) have the same plugs on the card and on the ends of the antenna leads so are interchangeable. The newer NGFF or M.2 cards use a much smaller connector on the end of the antenna lead. The minipcie type connectors are much easier to work with, The Intel 7260 is the correct form factor but absolutely needs two antenna leads to work correctly. I suggest you review the Manual, open yours up and see if there are one or two antenna wires present. It is possible to add an antenna lead but a pretty extensive job to do correctly. USB wireless adapters are actually a pretty viable solution as they are now made in a very small footprint that does not stick out much and can be found in 802.11ac which are almost as good as an internal one. 

Post back with any more questions. 

[omeggga]

It has one antenna however I noticed it can accomodate two, but I think I can fit in another so long as I just remove the screen. It might be worth trying. Regardless so as to not buy the wrong cable, what is the connector I need to look for the antenna? Does it have a name? I'd hate to buy a cable only for it to be too tiny to fit.

[Huffer]

Make sure it is for the mini-pcie form factor wifi cards. Like this one:

https://www.ebay.es/itm/273572932182?hash=item3fb237aa56:g:zI8AAOSwF~5gathQ

Even though it is for a Dell it would work on your laptop. String the new antenna next to the original one until it passes into the screen assembly and then run the second one to the other side of the screen and connect at the top. 

Please accept as solution if this is the info you needed. 

[omeggga]

I mean no disrespect when I say that connector's extremely tiny and looks like it belongs in one of the m.2 cards like the 9260...

[Huffer]

May be but the laptops they say it fits are older and would have mini-pcie wireless. You might check with the vendor to be sure that is an accurate picture and description.  That was the only laptop wifi antenna set I could find on eBay Spain. Probably have better luck on eBay Germany or UK. 

https://www.ebay.de/itm/403378372037?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item5deb397dc5:g:UPkAAOSwd7FcHGNB&amdat...

[omeggga]

There's just a small issue though, listings for the pci version of the 7260 say it's not compatible with hp systems: Bewinner Universal 2.4G + 5G Tarjeta Inalámbrica de Banda Dual para Intel 7260AC 867 Mbps Tarjeta de...

How can that be possible?

[Huffer]

You see that a lot on auctions for wifi cards. Left over from the whitelist days. Sellers got tired of dealing with returns on HP laptops. You will see them say Lenovo also not supported as Lenovo at one time had a sort of whitelist that was fairly easily defeated unlike HP's which was never defeated that I know of. So basically it will work on an HP without a whitelist including yours.