Motherboard switch questions

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Colbymh98

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Jul 19, 2014
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I recently decided to switch my stock Dell PC into a mobile gaming rig. I've replaced my PSU (Corsair 750m) and my GPU (EVGA 750 Ti FTW Edition). I still have the stock HDD, Motherboard, RAM, CPU, Optical Drive, and Case. Now I was just educated on the fact that the mini ITX board that I was looking at did not have on-board WiFi. With that being said, would I be able to use the WiFi card that is in my PC now, with my new Mini ITX board? I'm actually on vacation right now, but I found a similar picture online. Would I need to buy a new WiFi card? Possibly a different motherboard with on-board WiFi? Also, what would I expect upon launch with my parts switched out? Would I need to re-install my OS? How would I re-install my drivers for everything? Again this was a pre-built Dell PC at first. Pictures and motherboard I am looking at are below.

Any answers are appreciated.

Mini ITX motherboard I'm looking at: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131878&cm_re=1155_mini_itx-_-13-131-878-_-Product

Stock Dell 660 Inspiron motherboard with stock WiFi card (One of the pics is the Micro ATX, but same WiFi card) : http://en.community.dell.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/3514/7870.0XR1GT-with-front-I_5F00_O-panel-connector-edit-1.JPG

http://en.community.dell.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/3324/3343.201212_5F00_dell_5F00_inspiron_5F00_660_5F00_4.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/2144k5i.jpg
 
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That is a PCI Express x1 minicard socket not a PCI slot. The card uses Dell Wireless 1506 WLAN Driver. The two wires connecting to the card are for the antenna.
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Thelps

Thelps

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Feb 20, 2013
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For WiFi purposes, you can either install your Dell's WiFi card on your new Motherboard or you can purchase a WiFi USB Dongle which will act as a broadcast/receiver aerial to any WiFi networks in range.

With different parts you can expect your computer should boot straight in to Windows, assuming the new hardware is somewhat compatible.

If it doesn't, consider removing the Graphics Card and booting with Integrated Graphics in use.

As soon as you get in to Windows install all the drivers for your new equipment. That would be Motherboard and Graphics Card (assuming you installed the new MoBo).

You may also need to enter your Motherboard's BIOS before you can access Windows. If you're using a new Motherboard you might have to specify a boot order of your CD / DVD Drive first, followed by the HDD you installed Windows on second. This will cause your PC to always check your CD / DVD drive for a Windows System Disc on boot up and, if it doesn't find one, proceed to boot your copy of Windows installed on your primary Hard Disk Drive.
 
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Colbymh98

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Ok, so upon boot, I shouldn't have any boot issues? Someone was telling me that I needed to re install Windows after formatting my hard drive since it's a new motherboard. Also, where would that WiFi card go on the motherboard? I want to try and prevent using a dongle or some type of external device. I'm on a budget, and little stuff keep adding up that I didn't think I would need, thermal paste, fans, etc.

Great answer, just still have a little confusion.



 
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Thelps

Thelps

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Your Network Card (WiFi card) will connect to the PCI slot on your Motherboard. That's the shortest slot.

When you first boot your computer it's possible the MoBo will auto-detect all devices correctly and everything should boot fine.

However...

It's equally possible you'll need to enter your Motherboard's BIOS and specify a Boot Sequence. You'll need to reference your Motherboard's Manual to find out exactly how to specify the Boot Sequence but the sequence you specify should be...

CD / DVD Drive first > Followed by your main Hard Disk Drive (the one with Windows installed on it).
 
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Colbymh98

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With the WiFi card, that I linked, it doesn't look to be a PCI slot compatible, it instead has 2 wires, a white wire, and a black wire. Now, I'm on vacation so I can't tell you where the wires lead to, but I believe it wouldn't be compatible for PCI.
 
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Colbymh98

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Jul 19, 2014
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I looked it up, and that seems about right. Thanks for correcting me, I'm still learning (age 15) and appreciate it. Would I be able to use that PCI-E Mini Card with my new mini-itx board?

The case I plan on using: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811345017&cm_re=bitfenix_prodigy-_-11-345-017-_-Product

The MoBo I plan on using: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131878&cm_re=asus_1155_itx-_-13-131-878-_-Product
 
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