I recently ordered Dell XPS M1330 from the Dell Malaysia website, the notebook came in nicely, great.

When I took out the batteries, I found a SIM Card slot behind. I looked up the net apparently it's more US-Centric, supports EVDO and HSDPA from US carriers like Sprint, Verizon & AT&T.

So that's good, at least there's HSDPA.

Here's what I find strange, none of you XPS M1330 Owners from Malaysia are talking about the SIM Card slot behind?

XPS M1330 Malaysia Owners! Does yours come with a SIM Card slot too? Does it work? Can I use Celcom Broadband with it?

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Added on November 25, 2007, 7:04 amHere's an interesting read-up I found from http://whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-arch...cfm/668054.html

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Added on November 25, 2007, 7:06 amTherefore, by replacing the WWAN Mini PCI Card inside the XPS laptop with other mini-pci cards like Sierra Wireless MC8775, you can actually use Celcom Broadband / Maxis Broadband with it??

Wouldn't that be cool???

@Comfortsurf - got minipci cards?

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Added on November 25, 2007, 7:07 amLink here: http://www.sierrawireless.com/product/mc8775.aspx

This post has been edited by ColeXE: Nov 25 2007, 07:07 AM

Have you try it and really work? Previously I've been in some discussion about this feature, also the slot found in current Inspiron series. I assume Dell only covers its own "Dell Wireless" type module in Malaysia. So anybody with experience in this please clarify. If it works, how awesome.

It won't work without the mini PCI-e WWAN card. It is hard to source this type of 3G network card locally. Dell US optionally bundled this XPS model (together with the card) with US based carriers subscription.

i was thinking of ebaying one of the evdo modules for my lappie. there are a few there to be found/

i just realized the existence of the slot! damn...

we're aware of this but none of us really use it! for me personally, wifi connection alone is good enough

been digging around the net, need a 3rd party card to be install right under ur touch pad.... *sigh*

what type of card? saja la sibuk nak tau...

anyone mod with external 3G module?

I've tried to slot in the SIM card, nth happen/show out. i cant even detect the card.

m'sia gov allow such mini-pci cards like Sierra Wireless MC8775 ?

yea i saw that slot also.. anyone know what function it does?

go through xps m1330 fan's club #2. someone bought the card from HK and got it running on celcom 3G

pls post more details..

waahh............ i just know about that................

I bought the WWAN module from HK and got it running on Maxis3G and Celcom Broadband.

pls refer this this thread.
http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/681984/+140

Here are the steps on how to get the 'SIM CARD' works on your Dell XPS M1330. You will have to BUY a WWAN card to make it work for you. The slot is just a DUMMY for now.

What will you need to have?
1. Buy Dell 5530 WWAN card. I bought 1 for MYR240.00. This is HSxPA card with GPS!. Yes, GPS. Where to buy? Try http://www.lelong.com.my/Auc/List/2009-10D...bs-3G-MODEM.htm
2. Download Latest Driver & Wireless Manager Application from Dell support website. There are some tricks on how to get the GPS working later on.
3. Philips Screw Driver

Hardware Installation Steps:-
1. Remove the battery and check the SIM CARD slot. Slot in your CELCOM, DIGI or Maxis Broadband SIM Card.
2. See beneath your M1330. Look for the SLOT with C label. Unscrew it. You will see an empty slot beside the Wifi Card with WWAN label.
3. Unscrew one available screw there. This is to fix the 5530 card on the mainboard.
4. Slot in your 5530 card and screw it back.
5. Carefully connect the 2 antennas to the 5530 card, MAIN & AUX. The antennas are already inside the mainboard. There are 3 antennas. Ignore the BLUE one. Use your common sense to determine which antenna to which connector. There are a long and short antennas.
6. Put back the cover and screw it.
7. Boot your M1330 and enter the BIOS. It will auto update. Pls set [THOROUGH] at POST Behaviour. Save and reboot. It is IMPORTANT to select THOROUGH. Otherwise you card will become like YOYO or NOW-U-SEE-IT-NOW-U-DON'T.

Required Drivers & Applications:-
1. Driver1. Dell Wireless 5530 HSPA Mini-Card Driver, Version : A07, OEM Version: Driver: v4.50.6.0 Co-installer: v1.0.12.1, Created : Monday, August 24, 2009, OS : XP & VISTA . DELL Driver No. R220893
2. Driver2 for USB Minicard Version : 4.48.1.9001, Created August 20, 2008. This will overwrite newer driver in order to get your GPS working.
3. Driver3 for GPS. Version 1.0.0.25 Created : August 5, 2008. This will overwrite the newer driver in order to get your GPS working.
4. Application1. Dell Wireless 5530 HSPA Mini-Card Application, Version A02, OEM Version: 5.2.1045.60, Created : Monday, August 24, 2009, OS : XP & VISTA

FOR Driver1, get it from ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/comm/DELL_WIRELESS-...A07_R220893.exe
FOR Driver2 and Driver3, get it from http://usapilot.com/tmp/Dell_5530_GPS.zip . Driver2 is inside the d553bus, Driver3 is inside the d553gps. Ignore the rest of the folders.
FOR Application1, get it from ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/comm/R207067.exe

Drivers & Application Installation Steps:-
1. Install Driver1. When you finished installing this, reinstall the driver again. YES, just do it.
2. Go to Device Manager. Under the Universal Serial Bus Controllers, update 5530 HSPA with Driver2.
3. Go to Device Manager, Port (COM & LPT), update 5530 HSPA GPS Port with Driver3.
4. Install Application1, Dell Wireless Manager.

NOW, have fun. Run the Wireless Manager and check the MENU BAR. Under the VIEW, you will see SETTINGS, PHONEBOOKS ....GPS. If you don't see GPS. Have fun again, try to find a solution. Just google [Dell 5530 GPS].

This 5530 Card will work with all BIOSes. Don't BUY Sierra Wireless MC8775. MC8775 will not work with BIOS other than A02. Latest M1330 BIOS is A15.

What is my machine configuration?
I have installed the 5530 successfully. Here is my machine config:-
1. XPS M1330 bought on April 2008
2. Windows XP Pro, Version 2002, Service Pack 3. Originally comes with Vista Home and I 'upgraded' to XP. Vista SUCKS!
3. 5530 WWAN Card KM266 Rev. A00

I know that my reply is too late but hopefully it will benefit the others.

Is this guide valuable to you?
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This post has been edited by ahmad104: Sep 25 2009, 12:32 PM