HP Compaq 6720s - List of compatible PCIe Mini Wifi Cards

[DS48]

Hello,

My laptop is a HP Compaq 6720s running Linux Distribution. 

I wanted to upgrade my HP Compaq 6720s Laptop's Wifi Card. The current wifi card is Broadcom BCM4311 Mini PCIe + Bluetooth 2.0 Card. I came across few articles where I find that the bios on hp machines has a whitelist and will not allow for other PCIe Wifi Cards. 

I looked at Intel 7260 half Mini Wireless-AC card + Bluetooth 4.0 on Amazon, Reason is wifi speed is very slow on Broadcom 4311 wifi card, however I am hesitant to order intel 7260 HMW card because of the references to whitelisting in HP Bios.

I looked at the user manual for my laptop here http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01293339.pdf

Quoting the Wifi compatibility section for your reference, on 4 Chapter 1 Product description,

Wireless Integrated WLAN options by way of wireless module:

2 WLAN antennae built into display assembly Yes Yes

Support for no-WLAN option Yes Yes

Support for the following WLAN formats:

● Intel 802.11a/b/g/n ● Broadcom 802.11a/b/g ● Broadcom 802.11b/g Yes Yes ● Intel 802.11a/b/g ● Intel 802.11b/g Yes Integrated personal area network (PAN) options by way of Bluetooth® module:

Support for no-WPAN option Yes Yes

Broadcom Bluetooth 2.0+EDR Yes Yes

My question is what is the best available PCIe Mini Wifi Card supported for the HP Compaq 6720s Laptop with Linux Driver support ? above reference shows that Intel 802.11a/b/g/n is supported. Can I install Intel 7260 HMW card ? here is the link reference to the same https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/docs/wireless-products/dual-band-wireless-ac-7260-b...

Kindly advise. I look forward to your guidance. 

Thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Your model has a BIOS whitelist.

The only wifi cards you can install are the ones listed in chapter 3 of the service manual.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01293339

The card you want to buy must also have the HP part number on it, or it will not work.

I usually buy used but tested and working wifi cards on eBay by searching by the HP part #, and I only buy a card where it shows the actual picture of the card in the listing with the white 'Replace with HP spare' label.

There is only one supported dual band N card, and that requires 3 antenna cables, and most likely yours only has two.

[DS48]

Thanks for your reply Paul. Is there a link where I can see the Bios Whitelist ?

You are correct, I searched for the part providing details as "HP Part 441086-001" on ebay and found Intel 4965 AGN PCIe Full card. But this might not entirely help because the card has 3 antennas and my laptop provides only two. Also Intel website says the product is discontinued. And I have not found linux support for this card yet. Few folks have suggested NDIS wrapper.

If possible would it be possible for me to use an external usb wifi adapter with N &/ AC capability with linux support ? Do you have any recommendations ? I am using Ubuntu 20.4 on my HP Compaq 6720s.

Kindly advise.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

HP never released any BIOS whitelist documentation to the public.

All you need to know is that no wifi card not listed in the service manual for the 6720s will work.

Unfortunately, I wouldn't know what if any, USB wifi adapters are compatible with Linux.

I suggest you do a general internet search like I just did.  This is one of many links you can find.

https://www.addictivetips.com/ubuntu-linux-tips/usb-wifi-adapter-linux/

[DS48]

Thanks Paul, greatly appreciate your guidance. This was helpful. 

Have a great evening !

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

You have a great evening too, and good luck with your search for a USB wifi adapter for Linux.