Is the cavity in the bottom of my laptop for a wireless card?

relztrah · May 2, 2020

In my last chapter I was asking about the speed of a USB network adapter because I was unable to go online using the internal network card in a Toshiba Satellite A205-S4707 that I'm working/playing with. Now, Windows thinks that the adapter is missing.

And in fact maybe it is. Although some online research leads me to believe that it may be a driver issue. None of the drivers I've downloaded and installed work. I continue to get an error message. I've uninstalled the device itself, rebooted, lather, rinse, repeat many times. No luck. Which is why I'm considering the external USB network adapter.

Now there is a cavity on the left side at the front of the laptop that is covered by a panel. It’s on the right side when turned upside-down. This cavity looks like where a wifi card might connect, but I don’t see anywhere for the pins to plug in.

Is this where a wifi card fits in? It doesn't really look like there's anything to plug it into. By the way, I looked at all the User Guides and documentation about this machine on the Toshiba website and nowhere does it described what is under this panel. If it's not for a wifi card, what's it for? The hard drive is under a panel on the opposite side. Any ideas?

satrow · May 3, 2020

That looks like the area a(nother) 2.5" HDD/SSD would fit, though it looks like an adapter plate along the left side is missing.

Have you tried flipping the WiFi on/off switch under the front leading edge of the notebook, ~halfway along the bottom of the photo? Have you checked that switch is still connected correctly?

xrobwx71 · May 3, 2020

If it doesn't appear to have any input plugs of any kind, Toshiba probably uses this case template for other models that have extra options in which this models does not have.
It appears you'll have to pull the bottom off to get to the wifi card.
Toshiba Satellite A205-S5812 WiFi Card Replacement

relztrah · May 4, 2020

satrow said:
That looks like the area a(nother) 2.5" HDD/SSD would fit, though it looks like an adapter plate along the left side is missing.

Have you tried flipping the WiFi on/off switch under the front leading edge of the notebook, ~halfway along the bottom of the photo? Have you checked that switch is still connected correctly?

Yes, I saw that switch and it does nothing. I think it's a driver issue due to the fact that I ran DBAN on this machine and then installed Windows 10. I've read elsewhere that there is a problem with Windows 10 and the Intel Pro Wireless 3945ABG Network card. There are some workarounds, but not what I want to invest my time in. By the same token I am reluctant to pop the hood on this jalopy and put another internal network card in there because ... well, it's a jalopy and really not worth investing in another wireless card. I'll just use the USB network adapter and leave well enough alone.

I'll use that empty cavity for hiding my wife's diamond tennis bracelet.

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Is the cavity in the bottom of my laptop for a wireless card?

relztrah

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satrow

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xrobwx71

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relztrah

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