Upgrading intel wireless card

rgoo001

New Member
Messages
11
I have a refurbished Lenovo Y40 and I am happy with everything except the wireless card. It is an intel ac-3160 card but right out of the box it had many problems. Internet signal drops off significantly when I am more than 5 feet away from the router.

I know this is normal but my computer's internet speeds die down significantly faster than other computers with the same wireless card. For example, at around 15-20 feet away, this computer will have 0.5-1 mb speeds while a different lenovo (same card) will have around 8-9 mb.

I want to try buying a new wireless card such as the intel-7260 or a new intel-3160. Does anyone know how to make sure my computer is compatible with the 7260? I have read an article about checking the "BIOS whitelist" to see if it's compatible (Page Not Found (404) - CNET

Anyone have suggestions or tips?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 64-bit
What router do you have? Upgrading the card or going with a USB adapter is not necessarily going to change something or improve signal if you are using a public hot spot at say a College or University dorm.

The antenna is usually on the upper left side of the lid. My son swaps between his Intel Wireless-ac dual-band 7260 and a Netgear A6200 USB adapter, depending on where he is at on his school campus.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Thanks for responding!

I have only tested my computer on two connections, both in homes. For example, one home is using the motorola SBG6580. It is a 3 bedroom one story house with the three rooms being adjacent to each other. The router is in the farthest room and I cannot keep a stable internet connection from my room. I had to resort to buying a 50 ft ethernet cable and use that whenever I am in that house. What is the antenna you are referring to? Is that the slot where the wireless cards go?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 64-bit
download the service or owners manual for your laptop..

find the wireless card access and verify the antenna cable is attached... Although it could just be the card is failing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
I rarely own laptops with Intel Wireless on it. Being a Lenovo, just buy the Lenovo version of Intel 7260 so you don't run into the unauthorized wireless card detected. My guess you get a 50% chance of getting improvement from 3160 since they both use the same drivers, PCB and architecture. I never had problems with WiFi though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 with Media Center
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Pro 3
    CPU
    Core i5 4300U @ 1.9 GHz
    Motherboard
    Surface Pro 3
    Memory
    8092 MB DDR3-L 1.35 V SDRAM @ 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4400 @ 200 MHz
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in 3:2 display
    Screen Resolution
    2160 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    256 GB SSD + 128 GB micro SD
    PSU
    36 Watt power brick
    Cooling
    Active
    Keyboard
    On Screen Keyboard
    Mouse
    Surface pen
    Internet Speed
    300 / 20 TWC
    Browser
    IE 11 Metro, IE 11 Desktop
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Since the Access Point is far away from where you use the computer, your setup can be solved by using a Power Wifi adapter, vs. running a 50' Ethernet across the house, unless you placed it inside the wall.

I keep a set of Ethernet over Power adapters, when I have to go out to my garage and work out there, due to my wifi signal does not reach inside the garage.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
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