How To: Install the SIM and mPCI-e Connector

How To Install the SIM and mPCI-e Connectors

Im sure there are other guides out there, but I figured Id toss one together, since I kept a worklog as I installed my connectors. Id like to apologize in advance for the picture quality; I dont have a proper digicam so I used my iPhone. Here goes!

Parts Required:
- Soldering Iron
- Flux
- Solder
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Angled wire snippers, for cutting plastic
- A razor blade or sharp knife
- SIM holder and mPCI-e connector (I got mine from here)



Since there are other guides, I dont need to explain how to disassemble the laptop . Take it apart, all the way down to and including removing the motherboard.

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SIM Holder
1. Clip the tabs off of the SIM holder


2. Remove the black foam pad from the SIM footprint


3. Solder C43 to provide power to the SIM card


4. Solder on the holder, being careful to line it up straight


5. *Optional* You may want to glue the holder down, since the only thing holding it to the board are the soldered pins.

The SIM holder is now done!

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mPCI-e Connector
1. Solder L24 to provide power to the mPCI-e connector


2. Solder the connector in place


The mPCI-e connector is now done! Wasnt that easy

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Case Trimming
I found these steps necessary - they may or may not apply to you, depending on the parts you get (cutting the tabs in the opening, anyway), so use common sense

Clearing way for the SIM holder
1. Remove the plastic on the top plastic piece that covers the motherboard, to allow the SIM holder to stick through


2. Trim the plastic that touches the SIM holder to allow a bit more clearance


3. Peel off the plastic blocking the SIM card slot


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Time for the mPCI-e Connector
*OPTIONAL* You may or may not need to do this, depending on the height of your connector
1. Lay the motherboard back in the case, and mark where the connector hits the plastic. Remove the board and cut the plastic so the connector isnt obscured



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Enabling the 3G portion of the switch
1. Remove the side board and the slider part of the switch.

2. Widen the hole that the switch rests in



3. Put the slider back, making sure it slides all the way to the left


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If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them! I will try and explain/help/whatever as best I can. Thanks for taking the time to read my tutorial!

 

I'd seen that eBay stuff but the SIM card reader is a flipopen one in the picture but your one seems to be a proper push-push one. Did you just get it or ask for it specifically ?

 

I didnt make any requests during the order; the one I got was the one he sent. I noticed the same thing you did but when I saw it was titled specifically as for the AAO I figured Id give him the benefit of the doubt.

 

SpikedCola, Excellent job.

I see a problem with the Sim Reader. The Sim Reader pin outs do not match the board pin outs. See the fix here. viewtopic.php?f=43&t=13518&p=85007#p85018

 

Crap, I assumed that because it was meant for the AAO, they would have selected a SIM reader with the proper pinout. Ill double-check it tonight and post any modifications. Thanks!

EDIT Dang, you were right Update coming sometime this weekend

 

i see you have a different jumper than tnkgrl and it is easier i think
do they work the same?

Thanks

- Wing

 

Hi There,

I just bought the same connectors you did, and received them today.

How about the SIM connector pinout, were they wrong? Did you test/modify it yet?

I will install the mPCI-e connector and wait for your findings on the SIM connector.

Thanks.

 

This "How to" is known working for the AOA110 / 150, viewtopic.php?f=43&t=13518&p=85007#p85018
which requires rewiring the Sim reader because the motherboard pin outs are not standard.

No one has found a source of the original Sim reader used by acer (I have one) on the AOA 3G which has a pin out that matches the motherboard.

 

here is right jumpers and pinouts
tutorial from 1st post is WRONG for AAO110/150