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Released October 2008 / 2.4, 2.53, 2.66, 2.8 or 2.93 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor

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Assessing if Wireless card is dead after changing RAM+HDD?

Hi,

On A1286 I did a "regular" RAM+SSD + data doubler upgrade but upon reboot got a "WiFi: No Hardware installed" instead of the usual WiFi icon.

My #1 suspicion is on the WiFi+Camera connector located behind the optical drive. It's a bit loose on this particular MBP.

But I haven't been able to get it working again and I can't verify this. The camera is working fine and the connector looks good even though very easy to pull on.

#2 the Wireless adapter could simply have died during the upgrade process but I find it very unlikely.

Does anyone has experience with testing a wireless card? How can I test if it's really dead before buying a new one?

In my many years of opening up computers I've never witnessed a dead WiFi card. Have I been lucky or do you find it likely?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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In the end bought a new card and it wasn't useful of course.

The connector on the motherboard had a pin being pushed out by the plug.

So tiny it took me a very long to notice it.

I was lucky enough to be able to simply push it back in and get the whole thing to work again.

In the meantime, while removing the display to access the WiFi card I got a problem with the graphic connector :) That was bad: the golden very thin part that goes over and around the connector went out for some reason.

I was able to put it back with a bit of reasoning and a lots of luck I guess...

Never had so much trouble with a MBP before. I guess the fact that it was a first generation full alu body machine didn't help. Obviously connectors weren't very good at the beginning.

The lesson is: just be extra careful with connectors, even if they look pretty solid in general...

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Don't beat yourself up too much -DIY connector reassembly problems happen a lot (It was the first thing that crossed my mind).

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The card doesn't show up in System Profiler (Information)?

I agree that the card just up and dying is unlikely.

Go over the connector (connection) again. clean the contacts carefully with some contact cleaner (no power - remove the battery). Ensure the connector is in straight (if it's cocked that could be why the camera works and the wifi doesn't), and as far as it can go, perhaps you have to use a strip of tape to ensure the connection stays steady.

If this answer is acceptable please remember to return and mark it accepted.

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Hi Machead, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Card doesn't show up in System Profiler anymore.

I did put the connector in as carefully as I could, I'll try again with a contact cleaner.

One odd thing is that there was a small plastic piece glued on the board right behind the connector, obviously to keep it in place. Seems to indicate the builder, Apple or subsidiary, had a problem with the it right from the beginning... not a good sign.

I've ordered a spare WiFi card anyways, what can I do? It's a friend's computer I promised I would revive ... next time I'll think it over twice before claiming "your MBP is not old, you can still use it for years!" :)

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Tried an SMC and PRAM reset? If System Information doesn't detect it that only confirms that the connector or card is bad... no help about pointing out which it is... other than you recognize it's loose... which it really shouldn't be.

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coolnodje will be eternally grateful.
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