HP 2540p + Intel 7260HMW AC

[Old_2540_user]

Hi!

My Elitebook 2540p Service manual contains references to several Broadcom modules with different SPS only.
Is Intel module SPS 710661-001 (recommended here) really compatible with 2540p / BIOS v. F.60?

And second question:

System BIOS Update F.61page (https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c05137945) has brocked links.
Can You tell me correct data for F.61 or later?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Your notebook has a BIOS whitelist which blocks the installation of any other model Wi-Fi card other than the ones listed in chapter 3 of the service manual from working.

c02664684.pdf (hp.com)

The Intel 7260AC Wi-Fi card, SPS 710661-001 has no chance of working in your notebook.

[Old_2540_user]

Thank You, Paul.

Yes, I know about whitelist.

But... 

Publication date  of manual on your link is December 2010.

It was no coincidence that I indicated the BIOS version used - F.60.
This is the end of 2015.

Are you absolutely sure that nothing has been added to the whitelist in these 5 years?

What about  this document (September 2012) ?

Despite the fact that in the your given service manual, besides Broadcom, only the one Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 WLAN module is mentioned?

And, yes, I saw a report about the successful replacement of the Intel AGN-6205, mentioned in the document at the link above, with the 7260HMW AC (SPS 710661-001) in an HP 2570p “with the latest BIOS version.”
Unfortunately, the author never answered me the question of which version is relevant for him...

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

No BIOS updates added support for the Intel 7260 N or AC Wi-Fi adapters.

The best one available was the Intel 6200

[Old_2540_user]

Paul, big thanks again for the answer and a reminder where to look carefully...

Unfortunately, You are absolutely right...

Intel part of the whitelist in F.60A BIOS of 2540p  looks like this

Hex code

After converting to VID\PID we get:

86 80 39 42 86 80 11 13
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_4239&SUBSYS_13118086 = Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6200 AGN

86 80 39 42 86 80 16 13
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_4239&SUBSYS_13168086 = INTEL(R) CENTRINO(R) ADVANCED-N 6200 ABG

86 80 2C 42 86 80 01 13
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_422C&SUBSYS_13018086 = INTEL(R) CENTRINO(R) ADVANCED-N 6200 AGN

86 80 2C 42 86 80 06 13
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_422C&SUBSYS_13068086 = INTEL(R) CENTRINO(R) ADVANCED-N 6200 ABG

86 80 38 42 86 80 11 11
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_4238&SUBSYS_11118086 = INTEL(R) CENTRINO(R) ULTIMATE-N 6300 AGN

86 80 2B 42 86 80 01 11
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_422B&SUBSYS_11018086 = INTEL(R) CENTRINO(R) ULTIMATE-N 6300 AGN

Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6200 AGN already installed but I don’t like how it works with WiFi6 (802.11ax) router.

PID of I want to install (Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260) looks completely different...
It remains to decide what would be easier - to seal the pins (not sure if this will help in this case), or to change of whitelist by correcting unused Broadcom strings...

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

I doubt that messing with the pins would matter, but if you know how to manipulate the BIOS, I can give you the hardware ID for the Intel 7260 AC SPS 710661-001 because I have the same card that I installed in my HP 350 G1 notebook which does not have a BIOS whitelist. 

I removed the Broadcom card the notebook originally came with, and it has worked fine for years now.

This is the hardware ID:  PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_08B1&SUBSYS_40708086 = INTEL(R) DUAL BAND WIRELESS-AC 7260

[Old_2540_user]

Wow, Paul, You are excellent!

I was just thinking about how to see these values.

The ordered module is still on the way.
For now, I'll try to write down these values into whitelist.
If this doesn't help, for example in reality the values in the new module to be different, I will have to turn off this whitelist completely.
But this is a more long and complicated procedure and I may need the help of my friend there.

Thank You very much again!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

Please post back and let us know how things went.

[Old_2540_user]

So, module in hands now.
The laptop is busy enough on weekdays, I'll take care of the process on the weekend.
I’ll tell you about the result and method after finishing.

[Old_2540_user]

Well, Paul, as promised - latest news...

1) My module is working, tested on an even older (Core2Duo) one DELL.
2) It differs slightly from yours: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_08B1&SUBSYS_44708086&REV_BB
3) It is impossible to remove the whitelist as total or simply substitute these values instead of unused ones in the case specifically of 2540p laptop.

To be absolutely precise, it is possible, but the cost of the necessary actions, taking into account their estimated duration and the cost of working for a programmer with the required qualifications, will be many times higher than buying another laptop.

Unfortunately, I found the relevant information too late (look at dates of messages):

First

Last

I know well enough of what is RSA sign and what is needed to implement bypass it in the BIOS binary file to try to do it yourself or order such work for an over ten years age laptop...

Nevertheless, thank You again for your responsiveness and help during this research process!