Alternative WiFi Broadcom card

[Simona12]

Hello, I have a problem with the built-in WiFi card in an HP 625 (Product ID:XN833EA#ABD) notebook. There is no Win10 driver for this. I've already tried swapping the existing card (SPS: 600370-001, Broadcom BCM94313HMGB) for an alternative (SPS: 730668-001/697316-001, Broadcom BCM943228HMB), unfortunately without success. The new WiFi card is shown as incompatible hardware. The notebook does not start up. Maybe someone else has another alternative? With friendly greetings Simona

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi, Simona:

Since your notebook was manufactured in 2011 or earlier, it has a BIOS whitelist which prevents the installation of any other model Wi-Fi adapter from working other than those listed in chapter 3 of the service manual, and it must have the HP part number on the label, or it will not work.

c02780495.pdf (hp.com)

I don't see any model Wi-Fi cards in that list that would work on W10.

Did you try the W8.1 driver for the BCM94313 Wi-Fi adapter?

Broadcom WLAN Driver for Windows 8.1 

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp66001-66500/sp66495.exe 

If that driver doesn't work for you, due to the BIOS whitelist and the fact that none of the other Wi-Fi adapters have much of a chance of working, I recommend you purchase a dual band USB Wi-Fi adapter and use that to connect wirelessly.

I have this model which also has Bluetooth:

RUIZHI Bluetooth Dongle, AC600Mbit/s USB WLAN Adapter PC Dual Band 2.4G/5.8GHz, Internet Stick Card ...

[Simona12]

Hi Paul_Tikannen,
many thanks for the quick response!
I had tried the driver in the past. The WiFi could only be switched on sometimes (WiFi button LED white).
I will buy the USB stick.
Thank you also for the service manual.
Best regards
Simona12

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Simona.

Cheers, 

Paul