Broadcom BCM43142 802.11 bgn Wi - Fi Adapter Envy 700-215xt desktop

[AlCharbonneau]

Good Morning

For some time now I have had a minor problem with wi - fi internet connectivity.  Yesterday my computer would not identify my router which was working prefectly so I connected to the router with a cable and gained access to the internet. My questions are as follows:

1.  Do I need to do anymore testing on the existing wi fi card before replacing? If yes, what?

2.  Can you recommend a place to buy the card which is a Broadcom BCM43142 802.11 bgn Wi - Fi  Adapter.  I looked on HP parts but they don't show any prices or at least I was unable to find prices.

Appreciate your help.

Al

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Download and save the latest W7 driver for that model wifi card...

The package contains the Broadcom wireless LAN drivers and utility that are required to enable the integrated Broadcom Wireless LAN Adapter in supported notebooks that are running a supported operating system.

6.223.215.21 Rev.A    Sep 17, 2015

http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp72501-73000/sp72879.exe

Check the device manager and see if the Broadcom wifi adapter is present and reports working normally in the device manager.

If it is, you an try uninstalling it, check the uninstall driver box, restart the PC and install the newer driver you saved.

If that doesn't get the card to work again, most likely it is no good anymore.

Does your PC have two wireless antennas connected to the wifi card?

If it does, I would recommend replacing the broadcom card with the better Intel 7260 Dual band N or AC card with bluetooth depending on if you have a wireless AC router or not.

If your PC doesn't have two antennas present, then you can get used but tested and working wifi cards with the part number your card has readily available on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=752597-001&_sop=15

If your PC does have two antennas connected to the wifi card, let me know and I will give you the part numbers for either of the Intel cards you might be interested in.

[AlCharbonneau]

Thanks for responding

I don't see antennae on the back of the unit or would they be inside?  I don't know what I am looking for?

Thanks

Al

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

The antennas would be inside the case.

Running from the wifi adapter (which will be plugged into a PCIE x1 holder), to somewhere in the case.

They will be very thin and delicate.

One or two will be attached to the wifi card.

[AlCharbonneau]

Hi

Sorry for the delayed response.  I am a newbie to wi fi cards.  Unable to locate the wi fi adapter so therefore unable to answer your question.  Quite honestly, I also do not know where the cle x 1 slot is.  Can you recommend a site that will show photographs of  where the adapter is in the Envy 700 series desk top.  BTW, the card seems to be working now but I would like tobe prepared if it fails again.

Thank you for your response.

Al

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi, Al:

I don't have any complete diagrams that I can share with you, but below is a picture of the motherboard that your PC comes with.

The PCIe x 1 slots are those 3 short black slots on the lower left side of the picture.  The PCIe x1 adapter holding the wifi card will be in one of those 3 slots.

[AlCharbonneau]

Hi

I think I found the adapter.  Lower left hand corner of the motherboard.  There are two wires that come out of the top of the adpater and run up through the wiring loom to the top of the computer case. 

As I said in my last message, the adapter is working now.  I don't know if it is possible to shut the adapter off on a desk top.   If so, I may have done that.  At any rate, from an educational perspective and if ot fao;s again, have I identified the wi - fi  adapter?

Thank you for your help.  I will accept your comments as the soultion to my problem.

Thank you.

Al

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Yes, that is it.

Your PC has a newer motherboard where the card actually plugs right into the motherboard, thus eliminating the need for the card being held in an adapter that would go into one of the black PCIe x1 slots.

I can clearly see the card with the two delicate wifi antennas connected to it with the brass connectors.

Thanks for showing me the picture.

You would unscrew and remove the wifi card and carefully pry off the antennas, and replace the card with a different wifi card, should the need arise.

Just be very careful when removing and reattaching the delicate antennas.

They pop on over the terminals.

Here is a picture of what the end of the antenna terminal looks like that attaches to the wifi card.