Dell E1505 Bluetooth Upgrade

by bjepson

23K169

Intro: Dell E1505 Bluetooth Upgrade

It turns out, that even if you didn't order Bluetooth in the Build-To-Order configuration, you can add it after the fact. Here's how.

STEP 1: Get a Bluetooth Module

Purchase the $60 (ouch) Dell Wireless 350 Bluetooth module (you can also find these on eBay for a bit cheaper.

STEP 2: Open the Bluetooth Module Compartment

Now, shut down the computer, unplug it, take the battery out, and open the Bluetooth module compartment.

STEP 3: Connect the Module

Gently pull the cable out of the compartment and connect it to the Bluetooth module.

STEP 4: Seat the Module

Seat the module in the compartment cover.

STEP 5: Close It Up

Put the compartment cover on, making sure to not crush the cabling inside.

STEP 6: Final Touches

Now you're ready to put the Bluetooth sticker on, put the battery back in, plug the E1505 in, and turn it on. If you're running XP or Vista, it should install the drivers automatically.

9 Comments

BurgersBytes 9 years ago

Get a Bluetooth USB dongle for less than $10 and it upgrades that worthless BT version to something that works today. BTW it is no longer available at Dell and doesn't work on new devices anyhow. I have it installed and have to use the dongle anyhow!

Link Depot and Utech(better on Win 7) have a USB 2.0 that support BT 4.0

i make shooting things 16 years ago

sweet i was about to buy a blue tooth dongle for my e1505

ccfromnj 16 years ago

This also works in the Ubuntu version of the e1505 they sold in 2007, the e1505n. Without real metering to back it up, I find little to no extra battery drain from the Bluetooth Radio.

josh92176 16 years ago

cool, I have an e1505 BTW probably worth noting that its called the inspiron 6400 in th UK.

computer_gui 16 years ago

They didn't just change in the UK, they changed model name here in the US too. Their identical computers the only difference is the name.

moopet 16 years ago

You can add these modules to all the inspirons, the xps and latitude D-range.

Mr.Devious 17 years ago

Nice, same thing can be done with ibooks, but require a bit more dissembely and grief.

jeffreyf 17 years ago

Word of warning for a e1505 owner. Make sure you're using the most current BT drivers. The older ones (May 2006 or so) were highly buggy.