Compatible wireless module (AX 200NGW or AC 7265) for HP 8315 motherboard/ pavilion x360 convertible

[Skirata]

Hello,
I just upgraded my RAM, damaging my Wifi module. 😢All specs below.

Would like to update the module on Wifi6/Bluetooth 5, but not sure, which wifi cards are compatible.😢

According to post found in HP forums there are two supported wifi cards in the service manual:

1. Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265 802.11 AC 2×2 WiFi + Bluetooth 4.2 Combo Adapter (nonvPro)
2. Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168 802.11AC 1×1 WiFi + Bluetooth 4.2 Combo Adapter (nonvPro)

or you could experiment with the Intel 9260 Dual Band AC card, non-Vpro (can only find them with vpro unfortunately).

Found an Intel 7265: https://amzn.eu/d/2R07H4w

But would rather install this AX 200NGW to have dual band / 5Ghz / even newer WLAN&Bluetooth. Is that possible?

In advance, thank you so much for your help!!!
Leaving on Saturday for university and I'm panicking that my laptop won't work.

Laptop: HP Pavilion x360 Convertible 15-br009ng
Motherboard: HP 8315 33.22
CPU: Intel Core i5-7200U
RAM: 2x DDR4-2400 (SK Hynix HMA81GS6AFR8N-UH)
Current/Old Wifi Module: Intel 3168NGW (PCI Express Minicard)

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

We have no info on anyone upgrading that model series' wifi adapters.

If you want to experiment with a Wi-Fi 6 card, I recommend you try this one...

Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 ax 2×2 + Bluetooth 5.0 MU-MIMO M.2 2230 non-vPro   HP part # L35282-005

You should be able to find this model Wi-Fi card on eBay.

Search by the HP part number, not the model of the Wi-Fi card.

L35282-005 in | eBay

Below is the link to the service manual, where you can find the Wi-Fi card removal and replacement procedure...

HP Pavilion x360 15 Convertible PC Maintenance and Service GuideIMPORTANT! This document is intended...

[Skirata]

Hi Paul,

Thank you for your reply. I guess I won't try the AX then.

But the one with AC should work, right?

Also: My biggest problem right now is the antenna cable because a part of the wireless module's pin is stuck in the M/2 antenna cable.

Tried tweezers and a small seeing needles, so far without success.

I'm devastated. Any tips? Or do you think I should iron it to the card, would that work?

 

 

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

Yes, the Intel AC7265 part # listed in the service manual should work fine, and it will have twice the throughput of the 3168AC.

I did the same thing as you when trying to replace an Intel 7265AC wifi adapter inside a PCIe x1 adapter to the 9260, except I did you one better.

I broke both of the terminals off the 7265.

The only advice I can give you is to use a magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe and keep at it.

I used a sturdy sewing needle and small needle nose pliers to get the broken parts out of the antenna wire connectors.

It took around an hour of trying.

After that fiasco, I swore that I would never replace a M.2 Wi-Fi adapter ever again.

The older HMC form factor Wi-Fi cards have larger antenna terminals and wires, so they are not so apt to break.

[Skirata]

Dear Paul,

be thanked very much!

I got so frustrated with the wifi antenna that I gave up, but when I saw your reply, I sat down and tried everything.

Uuughh, your story sounds even worse and I 100% agree, I won't touch wifi antennas any time soon.

Needles and thin pliers did not work, but when I tried to "cut" through the stuck, inner ring where there was an opening in the outer ring, I suddenly had the ring in my hands.

Really wanted to try it with only one antenna and iron the other one to the new wifi module (the 7265AC) that is arriving tomorrow.

Now I'm gonna try and put it on normally though the connector may be damaged a bit (see attached pictures), so we'll see if that works. The black plastic might get a bit in the way of the to-be-inserted-ring, waddaya say, still try it?

Again, thx a lot!

Here the antenna connector, now without the stuck ring, but the black plastic all messed up. Still gonna try it though?

One ring... to rule them all. Or as Boromir put it: “Is it not a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt for so small a thing? So small a thing!" But gosh dang, I got it out!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of encouragement.

Looking at your picture, I think the connector has a good chance of working as is.

If not, you can probably use a thin strip of electrical tape to hold it in place after you push it down on the terminal.

Yes, for so small a thing, it caused a really big problem. 😊

Please let me know how things turned out.

Good luck.

[Skirata]

---

@Paul_Tikkanen wrote:

Looking at your picture, I think the connector has a good chance of working as is.

Glad you think so!

---

@Paul_Tikkanen wrote:

Please let me know how things turned out.

---

Yeah, will do for sure!

---

Good luck.

---

Thanks!!

😊

[Skirata]

So... it seems to have worked! 🙂

Not 100% sure if the antennas will hold, but I carefully pressed them in as far as possible.

Put my laptop backt together - the additional RAM has been successfully added in dual mode and the internet SEEMS to work.

At least 2,4GHz, gonna test 5 later. So... I guess I don't need to worry about installing drivers for the new wireless module or something? 

Here are some pictures of the re-installed wifi antennas on the new module.

Old and new:

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

That is great news!

From your screenshot it appears the antenna wires are secured properly.

You can install the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth drivers for your new card directly from Intel.

Wifi:

Windows® 10 and Windows 11* Wi-Fi Drivers for Intel® Wireless Adapters

Bluetooth:

Intel® Wireless Bluetooth® for Windows® 10 and Windows 11*

For the 7265AC, I believe you will get driver version 19.51.40.1

Bluetooth: 20.100.10.9

[Skirata]

Alright, thanks mate, again!!! 🙏

If they did not already update automatically, I will do that, thanks!

Take care!:)