Laptops AC 9650

tommy_vercetti

Well-Known Member
Skilled
Hi All,

I have a laptop Acer Nitro 5 AN5151-52 and facing issues with the inbuilt Intel AC 9650 network adaptor, it works sometimes, sometimes stop working, sometimes disappears from the device manager so was thinking of changing it, looking for recommendations like should I buy the same or if there is a better model for it.
 

enthusiast29

Active Member
Disciple
Did you try reseating it? Or completely uninstalling drivers and installing latest ones directly from intel?
 

tommy_vercetti

Well-Known Member
Skilled
enthusiast29 said:
Did you try reseating it? Or completely uninstalling drivers and installing latest ones directly from intel?
Click to expand...
Done, uninstalling, reinstalling OS, updating drivers and what not, I have not reseated it as it is a little difficult to open the laptop, but yes that is on my agenda to open the laptop and remove it, clean it and reseat it
 

blackhorn

Member
Recruit
it could just be that, changing network adapters is not that simple, some can have compatibility issues, and info on this subject is decidedly scarce. You'd be better off with a usb dongle, however if you're a bit of a tinkerer, it could be a good opportunity to experiment.
 

Titokhan

Well-Known Member
Disciple
@tommy_vercetti

Although @blackhorn's concerns are mostly justified, here are a few things:
  • Are you on the latest BIOS? Since Intel often bundles new Wireless Microcode (WCOD) updates with the ME firmware, updating the BIOS and/or the ME is worth a try.
  • In case you're determined to upgrade, try to locate a Wi-Fi 6(E)/Bluetooth 5 module like Intel AX200/AX210 or Killer AX1650/AX1675 from eBay to make your purchase future-proof. Fenvi is a very reputed OEM in this regard.
  • Acer doesn't impose any kind of whitelist on aftermarket WLAN modules, which means you can just pop out the existing M.2 card out and install the new one.
 
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tommy_vercetti

Well-Known Member
Skilled
Titokhan said:
@tommy_vercetti

Although @blackhorn's concerns are mostly justified, here are a few things:
  • Are you on the latest BIOS? Since Intel often bundles new Wireless Microcode (WCOD) updates with the ME firmware, updating the BIOS and/or the ME is worth a try.
  • In case you're determined to upgrade, try to locate a Wi-Fi 6(E)/Bluetooth 5 module like Intel AX200/AX210 or Killer AX1650/AX1675 from eBay to make your purchase future-proof. Fenvi is a very reputed OEM in this regard.
  • Acer doesn't impose any kind of whitelist on aftermarket WLAN modules, which means you can just pop out the existing M.2 card out and install the new one.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the detailed notes, BIOS is updated to the latest version 1.28 for Acer Nitro 5 AN5151-52, Acer has actually not updated the drivers or BIOS since 2018, I bought this in Jul 2019 from flipkart, in the next few days I will open it and remove the module to check it.
 

Titokhan

Well-Known Member
Disciple
@tommy_vercetti

Welcome!

Note that it is possible to manually update the ME firmware; you don't need to get the update package from the OEM (Acer, in this case). I can help you with that.
 

blackhorn

Member
Recruit
Titokhan said:
@tommy_vercetti

Although @blackhorn's concerns are mostly justified, here are a few things:
  • Are you on the latest BIOS? Since Intel often bundles new Wireless Microcode (WCOD) updates with the ME firmware, updating the BIOS and/or the ME is worth a try.
  • In case you're determined to upgrade, try to locate a Wi-Fi 6(E)/Bluetooth 5 module like Intel AX200/AX210 or Killer AX1650/AX1675 from eBay to make your purchase future-proof. Fenvi is a very reputed OEM in this regard.
  • Acer doesn't impose any kind of whitelist on aftermarket WLAN modules, which means you can just pop out the existing M.2 card out and install the new one.
Click to expand...

@Titokhan

I have a Asus r510jx dm230t, there is very little documentation on it, since its an India specific variant, I think in the international market it referred to as the Asus X550, I am wanting to upgrade the wifi module for the same, what needs to be paid head to, as of now, the latest driver is a qualcomm atheros wireless lan driver. Laptops was bought sometime in 2016
 

Titokhan

Well-Known Member
Disciple
@blackhorn

Hope @tommy_vercetti doesn't mind if we hijack his thread. :p

Yes, the Indian R510JX variant is based on the international X550JX series. The model usually ships with a half-mini PCIe Qualcomm Atheros or Realtek module. Since ASUS doesn't impose any whitelist, you can upgrade to any newer card. However, the half-mini PCIe interface has been phased out in favor of the M.2 interface, which means you have to use an adapter alongside a M.2 card (example) or pick a vendor that still manufactures half-mini PCIe cards based on modern chipsets (example).

IMO, you should choose the first option, but search eBay to find a suitable deal.
 
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tommy_vercetti

Well-Known Member
Skilled
:laughing::laughing::laughing: So I finally got time to open the laptop, and remove the card and reseat it, now Wifi is working, and Bluetooth is gone :laughing::laughing::laughing:, tried updating the drivers no luck, have this in my device manager

 

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