Due to government regulatory and cellular carrier considerations, portable computing devices are FCC approved only with certain model wireless adapters, cellular included. This is done by a BIOS whitelist that rejects all but approved adapters.



If you switch out the wireless or cellular adapter, the machine will refuse to power on. Then you must put the old adapter back in, remove the power and the battery, push the power switch 10 times, leave the machine for a 1/2 hour, put the battery back, reconnect power, and the machine will power on again, but with the wireless/cellular adapter you don't want.


The adapter and laptop manufacturers offer zero support in switching out the adapter, because they can't legally help users defeat regulatory compliance.



But if you take the machine to a dealer, many times they will switch out the adapter, if it is the same spec as the existing one. How do they do it?



The tech installs the firmware to the operating system, reboots to the BIOS setup program, hot swaps the adapter. chooses 'exit without saving', and allows the machine to boot. In the process, the new adapter is added to the whitelist. You must install the firmware before swapping out the adapter.



Every time I've tried this method it worked perfectly. It's a bit nerve racking to boot up a laptop with the covers off, and then hot swap components, because you could fry something.


And it's also a good argument to allow a skilled tech to do the job. I can't say it will work in every case, so use at your own risk. I've had good experiences with it.

Really? I had a Thinkpad > 10 years ago. The wireless adaptor was a swappable device, about 3cm x 2cm. I haven't taken my current one apart, but I know that it could come with 1 of 2 different wireless adaptors. I assume that the technology is so small by now that it's built into the board.

Hi Friends,
Very knowledgeable information.