Can't Find LTE Module

[Mattjoe]

I recently got HP EliteBook G840 G3 Notebook and every effort to use a SIM on it proved abortive. I tried installing Mobile Broadband Device Drivers both latest and previous versions but they don't install successfully. The best response I got was "Can't find LTE Module in PC" as seen in the screenshot attached.

How do I resolve this problem?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Sounds like your notebook is missing the WWAN adapter hardware, that 90% of Elitebooks don't come with since it is a very expensive option.

Below is the link to the service manual.

Chapter 3 has the list of supported WWAN adapters/HP part numbers.

HP ZBook 15u G3 Mobile WorkstationHP EliteBook 850 G3 Notebook PCHP EliteBook 848 G3 Notebook PCHP E...

Here are the only supported WWAN cards/part numbers supported.

HP lt4120 LTE/EVDO/HSPA+ SnapdragonT X5 LTE Mobile Broadband Module   HP part number 800870-001

HP hs31110 HSPA + Intel Mobile Broadband Module    HP part number 822828-001

Your notebook has a BIOS whitelist for the WWAN cards which means that you can only install one of the two WWAN adapters listed in the service manual and they must have the HP part numbers on them or they will not work.

Open up the notebook's WWAN compartment before buying a WWAN adapter, and make sure that the antenna wires are there to connect to the WWAN adapter.

[Mattjoe]

Please can I get a photo of WWAN Adapter? I'd like to see what it looks like? If it would require my laptop to be opened then I won't be interested in it. I'm just wondering why HP (or any company) would produce a laptop and omit an hardware from it whereas providing a SIM slot.

It just doesn't make sense to me. I wouldn't have bothered using a SIM on it if I didn't see the SIM slot.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You will have to open up the PC to see where the WWAN card goes, just like you would if you wanted to see what the Wi-Fi adapter looked like.

The notebook cases are mass-produced, and I guess it is easier for HP to just include a SIM card slot in all of the cases and then if the specific product number of the 840 G3 notebook comes with a WWAN adapter, one is installed at the factory.

It makes perfect sense to me that it is done that way.

If I didn't want a WWAN card in my 840 G3, why should I pay $300 more for a notebook so equipped if I had no intention of using it to connect other than via Wi-Fi?

This link is an eBay listing for the HP lt4120 LTE/EVDO/HSPA+ SnapdragonT X5 LTE Mobile Broadband Module   HP part number 800870-001, which shows what it would look like:

For HP Probook/EliteBook 800870-001 4G LT4120 WWAN Module 796927-001 796928-001 | eBay

You can see how inexpensive one is to install after a few years, since it is older technology.

[Mattjoe]

I saw that the price is just $9.97 on Ebay. You mean it was sold for $300 before? Anyway, I don't want anything that would warrant me opening my laptop. It's not worth it.

Thanks for your response. I appreciate.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

PC parts are cheap.

You're paying for the assembly, and the options, etc.

HP charged a lot of money for the WWAN (cellular) option.

Maybe the option prices have come down over the years when new, but I doubt it.

Read the service manual I posted.

Chapter 5 has the procedure to install the WWAN card as a customer-authorized procedure, so it must be relatively easy to do.

I guess it depends on how badly you want a WWAN option in your notebook.

[Mattjoe]

I want it very badly but then I don't feel comfortable having my devices being opened. I always fear they'd tamper with something else thereby leaving me with a different problem from what I am trying to solve. If at all I get any of my devices opened I'd rather place them for sale.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I can understand your position if you didn't want to do the work yourself.

I wouldn't be paying anyone to do it.

If I didn't feel confident to do the installation myself, I would not do it either.

[Monique_AN-TM]

I had the same problem, even with the lt4112 card. It did show in device manager, but I could not install the drivers.

Try downloading a different version. The 13.1803.5.1 Rev.A worked for me (worked on HP 850 G2 and 840 G2 as well). (sp76944)

Good luck.

[Mattjoe]

I just downloaded and installed the driver version you suggested but it didn't work (as seen in the screenshot). 

I've come to accept that the WWAN card didn't come installed on my PC.