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Add Internal USB Bluetooth module in AV1050 without sacrificing existing USB ports.

Add Internal USB Bluetooth module in AV1050 without sacrificing existing USB ports.

On the AV1050 only 2 USB connectors are available to the user, but 3 USB ports are reported in the Device Manager. Like many other notebooks the AV1050 uses the Intel Centrino chipset with integrated 852/855 graphics. Here is a description (including pictures) on how I did it and what I did.
So I added an internal USB Bluetooth module to my AV1050 without sacrificing the existing 2 USB ports! Other people have modded notebooks by adding internal USB Bluetooth modules, but have generally lost the functionality of a USB connector (see http://www3.telus.net/thewitt/BT/ ).

Below is a description (including pictures) on how I did it and what I did. I’m keeping the instructions generic so that other people can try this on other notebooks similar to the AV1050…

Here I assume that you know how to take apart your AV1050 (see http://www.notegear.com/Content/cont…tring=&Search= ), including how to remove the motherboard. I also assume that you know how to perform precision soldering with a fine-tipped low-power iron and that you have access to magnifiers.

DISCLAIMER: If you don’t feel confident with taking apart your notebook or with performing precision soldering, then I suggest you don’t try this mod. I’m not responsible if you damage anything.

On the AV1050 only 2 USB connectors are available to the user, but 3 USB ports are reported in the Device Manager. Like many other notebooks the AV1050 uses the Intel Centrino chipset with integrated 852/855 graphics. This chipset features an embedded USB controller with 3 ports (see ftp://download.intel.com/design/mobi…e/25261604.pdf ).

So where is that missing 3rd port? What can it be used for? One of the missing features of the AV1050 is built-in Bluetooth. I use Bluetooth a lot and I don’t like having an external USB dongle sticking out from one of the USB ports.

I looked at the Intel chipset data sheets (see ftp://download.intel.com/design/chip…s/25261505.pdf ) and located the pins used for the 3 USB ports. After taking apart my AV1050 I disconnected the hard drive and removed the motherboard and looked with a magnifier for traces originating from the appropriate pins on the Intel chipset (which is located underneath the track pad). I noticed 3 pairs of traces running parallel to each other and originating near pin A20 (see picture 1).

Picture 1: http://static.flickr.com/29/54252964_721fb82033_o.jpg



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One of the trace pairs ends after a couple inches, while the other 2 trace pairs continue along the motherboard towards the 2 USB connectors… Tada! I asserted that the trace pair that ends was the missing 3rd port. Luckily the trace pair ends on 2 test points. One is located underneath the track pad (labelled USB Data 1 in picture 2 & 3) and the other is located on the other side of the motherboard underneath the hard drive (labelled USB Data 2, see picture 4 & 5).

Picture 2: http://static.flickr.com/27/54252966_07f0ea5cd4_o.jpg
Picture 3: http://static.flickr.com/24/54252971_602eae630b_o.jpg
Picture 4: http://static.flickr.com/33/54252973_99ada53c5d_o.jpg
Picture 5: http://static.flickr.com/30/54252975_ad384ff95e_o.jpg (note that that’s a green wire soldered to USB Data 2, not a trace on the motherboard)

I used a multimeter to find +5V and ground points on the motherboard. Conveniently I located both very close to USB Data 1 test point (see pictures 2 & 3). Note that the translucent yellow areas are Kapton isulating tape used to hold everything in place.

The next step was to find a suitable USB dongle to take apart. I settled on the Zonet ZUB6111C (see http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc…82E16833130024 ) for its small size. low cost, and widely supported Broadcom Bluetooth module (AFAIK, it is identical to the D-Link DBT-120). After taking it apart, I removed the USB connector from the Bluetooth module (see picture 6).

Picture 6: http://static.flickr.com/26/54252977_e016e1d3c0_o.jpg

I then soldered wires from the USB Data 1, +5V and ground points as well as from the USB Data 2 point (on the other side of the motherboard underneath the hard drive) to the Bluetooth module. After reconnecting the hard drive, I connected the motherboard to an external monitor and to the AC adapter and pushed the power button… Success! Everything is working just fine.

The tricky part was to package the Bluetooth Module inside my AV1050 without physically interfering with anything else. I wrapped the Bluetooth module in Kapton tape and wedged it on the motherboard underneath the track pad between the Intel chipset and the MiniPCI slot (see picture 7).

Picture 7: http://static.flickr.com/30/54252980_8bc6932a2c_o.jpg

I reassembled my AV1050 and Bluetooth reception is good. Both USB connectors are also working fine. So there you have it I’d originally snapped more pictures but I accidentally deleted them. FYI, I used my Sony Ericsson W800i 2 megapixel camera phone (with auto-focus, macro and flash) to take the pictures and then scaled them down to 640×480 and annotated them.

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