Why can't we replace the WLAN card on Satellite L670?

Question

Hi,
I'm using a Sattelite L670-143 PSK3EE which comes with a default Atheros AR9285 wireless network adapter.
I've tried replacing this one with the 5Ghz Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230, which has a 2pin connection too.
Unfortunatelly, the card is being properly recognised by Windows7 but for some reason it has no signal.
Running inSSIDer, there is no single surrounding device found, while even my own router is advertising at the 5GHz band, and the taskbar icon tells me the Intel is the Wifi network but it always states that Wifi is switched off.
Trying to turn on/off thhe wireless network by using the special FN+F8 key combination, I am unable to switch it on.
Please has anyone succesfully installed a third party network adapter in a Sattelite ? Is Toshiba blocking any but the default wireless adapters ? and/or how can we make them to operate next to only being properly detected by Windows but unable to switch the signal on ?
Thank you for any help.

Answer 1

ok, i hope you know how yo get to your wifi card inside your laptop, i try to explain as best as possible to show which pin in your new wifi card has to be taped off, so it cannot get signal (Hardware Radio Off) from the bios.
Pin layout can be different for other wifi cards, so i can only show the pin the tape off for this specific card.
My laptop = Satellite L670-140 (in this model the wifi card is underneath the keyboard, follow steps 5,6,7 from this site to unscrew it.
Wifi Card used = Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 (2pin antenna like the default Atheros one)
* Before replacing, make sure laptop is properly shut off, disconnected from mains, and battery removed.
* Also make sure you have your proper driver for your card downloaded beforehand, since you most probably will need it before being able to connect to the internet.
* Also, write down the new card's MAC address. (most probably you'll find it on a little sticker on the wifi card)
Here are 2 screenshots showing which pin to tape off for disallowing the BIOS from Hardware Blocking the radio signal.
Front & Back of the wifi card : http://i.imgur.com/96D5q.jpg
Screenshot show which pin to tape off : http://imgur.com/TZiQv
So, as you position your wifi as seen on the last screenshot, it's the 2nd pin from the right, on the largest pin row.
make sure only this specific pin is taped off, and no others, and make sure the tape strip does not come loose once you put the new wifi inside its slot.
- After replacing, it's only a matter of starting up, letting the new card get properly recognized by windows.
- I installed the wifi driver from Intel just in case, don't know if it's actually needed, most probably Windows will install all you need by default once the card is being detected.
- After that, i had to power down the laptop, switch off the router for 1 minute, switch back on router & switch on laptop. (doing the correct software steps to set up an internet connection with the card may be needed.)
If your router is configured to only allow specific MAC addresses from connecting, then simply configure your router to allow this card's mac address.
BTW: If your laptop has a "software way" of switching ON/OFF the radio signal ( FN+F8 keycombination in my case), you can still switch ON/OFF the card as you which, as long as the card does not get "Hardware Blocked" which should be corrected if you properly taped of the pin shown.
I'm sorry if i'm not sounding that clear, i'll try helping as best as i know/can.