Group: Hardware/Restrictions/Mini PCIe slot restrictions on wireless cards
From LibrePlanet
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== Possible solutions == | == Possible solutions == | ||
| − | * Free boot software | + | * Free boot software typically do not implement such restrictions. Here are some more information on the topic: |
| + | ** The [https://libreboot.org/ Libreboot project] | ||
| + | ** The [https://www.fsf.org/resources/hw/single-board-computers article on single board computers] has some information on boot software for single board computers | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 19:33, 22 January 2019
Description of the issue
Some manufacturers restrict which wireless cards can be used in the Mini PCI Express slot. At least Dell, HP, Lenovo (IBM) and Toshiba have been implicated. When a non-whitelisted card is installed the systems will show an error message (e.g. 'Unauthorized') or otherwise refuse to boot. The whitelist is located in the proprietary BIOS. The given reasoning for this behavior is the regulation of the wireless spectrum by FCC and other national organizations. There are ways around this by modifying either the Wifi card or the BIOS. This is something that has to be taken into consideration when trying to assemble a computer system which would require as little proprietary software/firmware to operate as possible.
Possible solutions
- Free boot software typically do not implement such restrictions. Here are some more information on the topic:
- The Libreboot project
- The article on single board computers has some information on boot software for single board computers
External links
- Description and solutions on Lenovo hardware
- What the error looks like on an HP
