Replace Ralink RT3290 802.11bgn

[kiko62]

Hi everyone,

I saw a solution placed by Paul_Tikkanen  concerning an upgrade of the old Ralink RT 3290 Wifi/BT card by a newer Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 7260 card. But he underlined that two antennas are required, and my HP250G3 has only one antenna installed. Can I still use the new card only connecting the main antenna port (maybe 5GHz wouldn't work), or could I possibly add a second antenna to the aux port (some cards come with an spare cable included)?

Thanks in advance for anyone advising me.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

If your notebook has an Intel core processor, attaching the single antenna to the 7260's Main antenna terminal will work, but you may not have Bluetooth.

The second antenna is needed for better wifi reception (antenna diversity).

It would take a lot of work to properly run a second antenna wire and transceiver.

The transceiver is located under the top of the display bezel and the antenna snakes down the side of the bezel, under the motherboard and out.

I recommend that you get this model Intel wifi card for best results.

Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 802.11 ac 2x2 WiFi + BT 4.0    HP Part # 710661-001

If your notebook has a Pentium or Celeron processor, I am pretty sure the Intel card will not work.

Use this Broadcom equivalent...

Broadcom BCM4352 802.11ac 2x2 Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 4.0   HP part #  724935-001

[kiko62]

Dear Paul,

I am speechless about the quick reply, thank you so much.

Indeed I have an Intel Core i3-4005U, and I saw the antenna cable going up behind the bezel.

Actually my main problem is that especially the Bluetooth driver is not working well, the wifi/bt coverage is ok.

So I will give it a try and replace the actual card with the AC 7260 you recommended. As the price is similar to a BT dongle, I think it is worth a try.

As I imagine there are more users with the same problem as I saw in earlier posts, I will post here the result when I have finished the replacement.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

I'm hoping that on the HMC form factor cards like the Ralink one, the Intel 7260's main antenna terminal will work both the wifi and bluetooth and the second antenna wire is just for better reception.

Looking forward to reading about your notebook's wifi card upgrade project.

[kiko62]

Dear Paul,

Finally I have the results:

I replaced the old RT 3290 card with the Intel AC 7260 HMW, and....... Bluetooth and 5G didn't work 😞

Obviously the Intel card does separate main and aux antenna for the protocols, so i ordered another antenna and connected it to aux. There was enough place to puzzle the cable along the main antenna cable beside the screen bezel, and I fixed it between back cover and the lcd screen. At least I have 5m covered for bluetooth, I don't have a 5G access point, but now I can see the networks from my neighbours, soI guess 5G will work fine.

So if anyone runs into the same problem, and a BT dongle is no option, here is the solution, which cost me final some 10 bucks.

Again, thank you for your help.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance, and thanks for letting us know the results of your notebook's wifi card upgrade project.