Contribute
Register

HP Probook 4540s - Replacement WIFI Guide with AR9280 Atheros

Status
Not open for further replies.
I have tried both Atheros AR9280 AR5BHB92 and Broadcom BCM94322HM8L (504664-001). Based on my experiences (5GHz band) I would recommend BCM94322HM8L.
Atheros AR9280 in addition to "unknown locale: 69" errors in console (unpatched EEPROM), it is very slow during boot and may fail to connect initially. I have to Toggle WiFi On/Off to get it to connect very first time (it seems ok on 2.4GHz). After this it seems to work ok until next reboot. Broadcom works flawlessly. It is also 1/2 price vs. Atheros AR9280 and it is available locally.

I have both 4540s and 4440s. I would recommend 4540s over 4440s as it seem to have better (quiet) DVD drive and web cam works in Photo Booth and Face Time. Both are using the same web cam hardware, but 4440s requires 3rd party App to "wake" web cam for Apple Apps. Otherwise, both are good, stable machines. I am not sure about why web cam on 4440s acts differently, but it might be because of I changed web cam settings to HD in Windows Web Cam App. Maybe it had some residual effect. But the video quality seems way better on 4440s. May be I found a way to fix the video quality issue, but the price to pay is the need to "wake" camera before Apple app could use it. The discrepancy is in version of the web cam: 4540s has version: 57.70 and 4440s has version: 57.51
 
I have tried both Atheros AR9280 AR5BHB92 and Broadcom BCM94322HM8L (504664-001). Based on my experiences (5GHz band) I would recommend BCM94322HM8L.
Atheros AR9280 in addition to "unknown locale: 69" errors in console (unpatched EEPROM), it is very slow during boot and may fail to connect initially. I have to Toggle WiFi On/Off to get it to connect very first time (it seems ok on 2.4GHz). After this it seems to work ok until next reboot. Broadcom works flawlessly. It is also 1/2 price vs. Atheros AR9280 and it is available locally.

I have both 4540s and 4440s. I would recommend 4540s over 4440s as it seem to have better (quiet) DVD drive and web cam works in Photo Booth and Face Time. 4440s requires 3rd party App to "wake" web cam for Apple Apps. Otherwise, both are good, stable machines. I am not sure about why web cam on 4440s acts differently, but it might be because of I changed web cam settings to HD in Windows Web Cam App. Maybe it had some residual effect. But the video quality seems way better on 4440s. May be I found a way to fix the video quality issue, but the price to pay is the need to "wake" camera before Apple app could use it.

hi, i am trying to catchup on newest updates reading about wifi cards, specifically combo wifi /bluetooth. I might re-order the same wifi combo card recommended by rehabman, that is currently powering the 4x30s. at least it should work out of the box.

else, what combo wifi bluetooth cards to look for with regards to 4x40s? thanks

i've been looking for a 802.11ac lci-e half card, but it looks like apple macbook air is the only laptop with it, will have to wait longer.

Corrections and extra info for:
Can I use one of the above laptops with a different wifi card then the Atheros 9285?


broken link, if needed:
http://www.tonymacx86.com/hp-proboo...ifi-combo-card-solution-hp-probook-4530s.html

Part number for AR9285+AR3011 combo card 593127-001

If someone wants to use 300Mbps WiFi only card BCM94322HM8L which is supported natively by OSX and don't mind "702 error" and extra steps, part number is 504664-001 more details here:
http://www.tonymacx86.com/hp-proboo...eneral-our-wifi-whitelisting-days-0v3r-6.html
 
hi, i am trying to catchup on newest updates reading about wifi cards, specifically combo wifi /bluetooth. I might re-order the same wifi combo card recommended by rehabman, that is currently powering the 4x30s. at least it should work out of the box.

else, what combo wifi bluetooth cards to look for with regards to 4x40s? thanks

i've been looking for a 802.11ac lci-e half card, but it looks like apple macbook air is the only laptop with it, will have to wait longer.

If you looking for the combo card - the recommended solution is Atheros (593127-001). But you may not be pleased with bluetooth reliability, it is kind of glitchy after wake (for sure on 4x30s, but I never bothered with trying this adapter on 4x40s). Do not bother with another atheros with 300Mb on 2.4GHz - Apple is actually prohibits this option in drivers or their adapter's firmware, as it considered to be unfriendly for neighbors (consumes 2 non-overlapped channels (40MHz= 2 x 20MHz) out of total of 3 non-overlapped ones).

Im my view, dual band broadcom WiFi + little bluetooth mini dongle is better solution.
 
If you looking for the combo card - the recommended solution is Atheros (593127-001). But you may not be pleased with bluetooth reliability, it is kind of glitchy after wake (for sure on 4x30s, but I never bothered with trying this adapter on 4x40s). Do not bother with another atheros with 300Mb on 2.4GHz - Apple is actually prohibits this option in drivers or their adapter's firmware, as it considered to be unfriendly for neighbors (consumes 2 non-overlapped channels (40MHz= 2 x 20MHz) out of total of 3 non-overlapped ones).

Im my view, dual band broadcom WiFi + little bluetooth mini dongle is better solution.
I'll might just get the combo. I was looking at the stuff copied below too, bit outdated.

update - saw this at hp, maybe those combo wifi/bt cards from atheros and bcm could work?
I got the awesome intel one.



Code:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&taskId=125&prodSeriesId=5229480&prodTypeId=321957&prodSeriesId=5229480&objectID=c03385150

[TR="class: theme"] [TR="bgcolor: #FFFFFF"] [TR="bgcolor: #E7E7E7"] [TR="bgcolor: #FFFFFF"] [TR="bgcolor: #E7E7E7"] [TR="bgcolor: #FFFFFF"] [TR="bgcolor: #E7E7E7"]
Description Part Number Requires Return
Atheros 9485GN 802.11b/g/n 1 x 1 WiFi and 3012 Bluetooth 4.0 Combo Adapter 655795-001 (Modified) Yes
Broadcom 4313GN 802.11b/g/n 1 x 1 WiFi and 20702 Bluetooth 4.0 Combo Adapter 657325-001 (Modified) Yes
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2230 670290-001 (Modified) Yes
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235 670292-001 (Modified) Yes
Ralink WLAN Ralink Ripple3 RT5390F_802.11 b/g/n 1 x 1 PCIe HMC 670691-001 (Modified) Yes
Atheros AR9485 802.11b/g/n 1 x 1 WiFi Adapter 675794-001 (Modified) Yes




[Guide] Airport - Half Mini PCIe

Airport working OOB on Lion with the Atheros AR9280 and AR9380. Lion reports as Airport Extreme. Wake on Wireless and AirDrop supported. AR9280, AR9285 and AR9287 Half Mini PCIe versions tested. Mini PCIe versions and Mini PCIe to PCIe versions expected to work.



Details
1. Atheros AR9280 and AR9380
a. AR9280 - 2.4/5 GHz 802.11n, 2 Stream, 300 Mbs
b. AR9380 - 2.4/5 GHz 802.11n, 3 Stream, 450 Mbs
2. Half Mini PCIe



Alternatives (require dsdt injection or kext editing)
1. AR9285 - 2.4 GHz, 802.11n, 1 stream, 150 Mbs
2. AR9287 - 2.4 GHz, 802.11n, 2 stream, 300 Mbs
3. Combo - AR928x + Bluetooth (no OS X support for Atheros bluetooth)


Credit
THe KiNG Atheros Ar9285 - Project OS X Forums
Andy Vandijck Atheros AR9285 fix for Snow Leopard - InsanelyMac Forum
 
Screws are extremely hard. Is there any trick to remove them?
 
Screws are extremely hard. Is there any trick to remove them?

Use a good screwdriver that fits the head of the screw well. Turn it the correct way (counter-clockwise). Some manufacturers use a bit of glue to secure the screws, so a bit of force is necessary.
 
I recently had great success with Craigrox guide for the Probook 4540s. Everything except Bluetooth and Wifi works, and I'm not even concerned about Bluetooth, so I decided to get just Wifi working. I looked around and poked around a bit and with Craigrox help I decide to go with this one:

[h=1]Atheros AR5BHB92 802.11 b/g/n Wireless PCIe Half Size Mini Card AR9280 [/h]http://www.ebay.com/itm/230798036698?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

View attachment 51773

Here's my guide to installing on the 4540s.

Here's what the card looked like right off Ebay.
View attachment 51776

1) Push the two clips outwards on the back cover to remove the battery first.
View attachment 51771View attachment 51772

2) After the battery is removed, slide the two clips further to remove the back cover.
View attachment 51774

3) The stock WIFI card is located down at the bottom, it installs just like a memory module.
View attachment 51775

4) Remove the two antenna clips with a small screwdriver. They pop right off the board.
View attachment 51777


5) Using a small phillips head, remove the two black screws for the wifi card. Be CAREFUL not to lose them.
View attachment 51779

6) The module will pop up and out like a SO-DIMM.
View attachment 51780

7) Push the new card in like an SO-DIMM

View attachment 51781

8) Replace the screws and antenna clips antenna clips, and be patient, it can be annoying. I used the screwdriver to replace the clips, just put them over the holes and push down gently.

9) I had to do nothing else. When I booted up to OSX, it detected my new WIFI card and I went into Networks and configured the new Wifi connection.

I bought also a replacement for my 4540S the AR9283 it worked perfectly as you said just swapped the new card and it was recognized!! NOTE: make sure in bios you have checked LAN/Wan Switchable!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top