[Q] Anyone converted a Wifi only to a GSM model - Nexus 7 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So im thinkning of moding my WIFI only device to add the GSM capabilitys Any one attempt this yet. Anyone know the parts needed to do this?
Thanks in advance

deadred said:
Anyone know the parts needed to do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, a complete 3G Nexus 7 should do the trick. To install it is easy. Put down the Wifi model, pick up the 3G one, and sign into your existing Google account.
Job Done.
You will have some leftover parts (a complete Nexus 7 Wifi), you can sell this on ebay.

ok, this really made me lol.
he's right though, its easier to get a gsm one...

deadred said:
So im thinkning of moding my WIFI only device to add the GSM capabilitys Any one attempt this yet. Anyone know the parts needed to do this?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, get a 3g n7 board off ebay, also a 3g back cover with it, I believe thats all you need.
I'll try and install next week, will let you know how it goes.
Wejgomi

Wow, really? This thread is not a joke attempt?

Fatal1ty_18_RUS said:
Wow, really? This thread is not a joke attempt?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh, it's a legitimate question if OP has never opened him N7. I just fixed my little brothers tablet (not an N7) and it was the same board as the 3G version, just without the sim card slot, antennas, etc. The solder points for everything were still there and ready to go. 3G tablets are ripoffs anyway, just tether your phone and you're good everywhere.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

I thought about doing this as well but I read in a earlier forum whom was trying to fix their 3g with parts from the WiFi and was not having much success can anyone confirm that the points are the same or roughly the same?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

Anyone know how I can make my laptop into a netbook? I need something easier to carry around. Will throwing it in the washing machine shrink it? Please help.

I read that the screws are in different places, the LCD and motherboards of the 3g are not compatible with the WiFi only there's a thread about it somewhere
Sent from my Nexus 4 @1.72 GHz on Stock 4.2.2

Thank you for the response I saw sometime ask earlier and I had not done due diligence to see if this was possible again thank you
Sent from my SGH-T879 using XDA Premium HD app

Flippy125 said:
Eh, it's a legitimate question if OP has never opened him N7. I just fixed my little brothers tablet (not an N7) and it was the same board as the 3G version, just without the sim card slot, antennas, etc. The solder points for everything were still there and ready to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't able to find N7 3G teardown photos with a cursory google search, but I'd assume the wifi model is also missing the XMM6260 3G modem chip.
Procuring this chip and finding a way to solder it down (it looks like a 17x17 BGA package) will probably cost a fair amount more than the $50-100 price difference.

Flippy125 said:
Eh, it's a legitimate question if OP has never opened him N7. I just fixed my little brothers tablet (not an N7) and it was the same board as the 3G version, just without the sim card slot, antennas, etc. The solder points for everything were still there and ready to go. 3G tablets are ripoffs anyway, just tether your phone and you're good everywhere.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^This^ is how all XDA posts should be. Polite,informative, and all the info is correct.
To add,I'll say that I have a Grouper,and I tether it to a zte avid 4g on metro pcs. The $60 unlimited data LTE plan. Have a good signal where I live so it works great. Any other wireless provider,even a mifi hotspot,would kill me on data overages. So if you can get a good signal where you live its a good idea to check it out.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

I will concur with that statement about how to respond to posts, moving on. If I had read these posts correctly in theory if one has acquired the motherboard of a 3g with the back to match then one could use the funny half of the wifi model then. Expounding on that let's say if one was able to do that then they could in a sense "upgrade" from a wifi to a 3g. If what I had postulated is in fact the then when the price drops due to the next gen being avaliable then one could get themselves a 3g at Semi decent price..... In theory...
Sent from my SGH-T879 using xda app-developers app

Related

iFixit XOOM Teardown

Looks really easy to take apart. That's good to know.
Also, it has the same Qualcomm MDM6600 3G radio that the iPhone 4 has. That means it's possibly HSPA+ capable?
LINK Enjoy!
Hardware will support up to 15 touch points! That means if Moto capped it to 8 in software, someone can uncap it back to 15!
XDA members with polydactyly syndrome rejoice!
I guess they didn't think anyone would be using both hands and a foot on the screen.
Does the sim card slot take only 4G? Where do I put the sim for 3G network?
Polarfuchs said:
Does the sim card slot take only 4G? Where do I put the sim for 3G network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is no sim for 3g. cdma networks dont use sim cards. The sim card spot is only for lte when the upgrade is ready
So it that xoom differs from the european version and can't be used when imported to germany?!
Polarfuchs said:
So it that xoom differs from the european version and can't be used when imported to germany?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
correct, verizon has de cdma, as apposed to GMS that is the norm in most of Europe.
I'm curious as to the quality of the camera builds. And also if there is anything indicating the LTE hardware is already present? Meaning we'll just have to update the radio which can be done without sending in.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
d.scardino said:
I'm curious as to the quality of the camera builds. And also if there is anything indicating the LTE hardware is already present? Meaning we'll just have to update the radio which can be done without sending in.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to ship it to get the 4G upgrade. See:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20036491-64.html?tag=cnetRiver
Camera is good for me although some others are complaining about blurriness. Not sure what that is about as I think mine works fine. See:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=970108
I understand that rooting or even installing a custom ROM could void your warranty; if so, will they still do the upgrade to 4G? Or they will send it back to you untouched claiming that you voided your warranty.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App
I was trying to figure out where the 4G radio goes, too. They don't point it out on the board, and I don't see it. I'm guessing they're just going to take out the 3G and slap a Qualcomm 4G in there.
And, yes, rooting and unlocking the bootloader will void the warranty. When we finally get SD support, there will no doubt be a way to restore everything, and since the bootloader is relockable, you should be good if you put everything back where it was.
arrtoodeetoo said:
I was trying to figure out where the 4G radio goes, too. They don't point it out on the board, and I don't see it. I'm guessing they're just going to take out the 3G and slap a Qualcomm 4G in there.
And, yes, rooting and unlocking the bootloader will void the warranty. When we finally get SD support, there will no doubt be a way to restore everything, and since the bootloader is relockable, you should be good if you put everything back where it was.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? You mean you didn't see the card with no chips on it with the antennas plugged into it? That is exactly where the 4g modem will go.
arrtoodeetoo said:
I guess they didn't think anyone would be using both hands and a foot on the screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL!
10charactersblablabla
Look at step 8 photos, is it me or could you slap a mini pcie ssd card in for that dummy antenna card? Do you think it would work?
I wonder if motorola would let me trade in my 4G LTE upgrade for a working GSM 3G radio?
Seeing as how I travel, that would be 1000x more meaningful to me. I dont expect much though... as it turns out big companies just so happen to wake up on the "we're blood sucking heartless monster from hell" side of the bed every single day.
I mean for ****s sake an 800$ tablet should already be considered a purchase of an "unlocked device" to begin with, and all the hardware you paid for (i.e a world capable data chip) should be fully your property and thus fully enabled without you having to beg.
I read the article the day it was written, and they make a valid point about the radio being simple to upgrade. I don't understand why they couldn't just have some VZW personnel pop in the LTE chip.
Some of them are bright, while others... not so much. You all remember the .002cent video from a while ago?
keitht said:
Camera is good for me although some others are complaining about blurriness. Not sure what that is about as I think mine works fine. See:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This might sound silly but maybe they forgot to remove the protective plastic film from the lens before using it? Happened to me in the past!
IndivisibleP said:
I wonder if motorola would let me trade in my 4G LTE upgrade for a working GSM 3G radio?
Seeing as how I travel, that would be 1000x more meaningful to me. I dont expect much though... as it turns out big companies just so happen to wake up on the "we're blood sucking heartless monster from hell" side of the bed every single day.
I mean for ****s sake an 800$ tablet should already be considered a purchase of an "unlocked device" to begin with, and all the hardware you paid for (i.e a world capable data chip) should be fully your property and thus fully enabled without you having to beg.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It already has a GSM radio in it, the chip can handle both CDMA and GSM. However the antenna design is totally different to get those frequencies, so it's not a simple swap in like you assume.
Bauxite said:
It already has a GSM radio in it, the chip can handle both CDMA and GSM. However the antenna design is totally different to get those frequencies, so it's not a simple swap in like you assume.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what does this mean essentially? I am a laymen so i have to ask, is the different antenna design you are speaking about ultimately a hardware issue or is it a firmware/software issue that can, at least in theory, be hacked?
Thank you for your response by the way. I look forward to any info, even if it is bad news.

Sim card slot...

Well, I'll admit that I haven't done any research on this, and it's a rumor I heard today.. that the wifi xoom is going to have the sim card slot activated in a future update.. meaning those of us who have the wifi version will be able to drop in a sim card and get 3G data.. anyone able to disprove this? I'm not counting on this, but it would be sweet if it was true.. lol
Cyric78 said:
Well, I'll admit that I haven't done any research on this, and it's a rumor I heard today.. that the wifi xoom is going to have the sim card slot activated in a future update.. meaning those of us who have the wifi version will be able to drop in a sim card and get 3G data.. anyone able to disprove this? I'm not counting on this, but it would be sweet if it was true.. lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. There would be a lot of pissed off people who paid the extra buck.
2. The hardware isn't there so it'll never happen.
3. Proof? Search for XOOM WIFI tear down.
Macbots drool as I XOOM through the Galaxy to my hearts Desire.
Just because the it has a slot doesn't mean it has the hardware.
alias_neo said:
1. There would be a lot of pissed off people who paid the extra buck.
2. The hardware isn't there so it'll never happen.
3. Proof? Search for XOOM WIFI tear down.
Macbots drool as I XOOM through the Galaxy to my hearts Desire.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe someone on this forum found the sim card is functional? just no drivers to use it.
I've never held a doom before but I plan on getting one.
They have similar card slots? And if this is really true... wow Verizon customers got ripped off badly.
Hopefully the sim card slot won't be restricted to any carrier
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
I never said I had proof or anything.. It was just a thought.. plus when I look in the slot, I can see contacts in there.. so atleast the socket is there...
Look at the tear down and you will see what we are talking about. There is no connectors on the motherboard for the 4g module, if you are really good you could solder something in and figure out where to get the hardware to connect.
Might as well by the 3g version!
ceo4eva said:
They have similar card slots? And if this is really true... wow Verizon customers got ripped off badly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Christ, the misinformation in this thread ...!
LTE requires a SIM for authentication (whose socket is installed on the board but otherwise unused), and is UNRELATED to the CDMA that the Verizon 3G versions use, which authenticate via the MEID of the 3G radio, which is NOT installed on the WiFi versions.
i read somewhere (maybe here) that whats missing is the radio so without it there is no use
theres a mini pci-e slot maybe we can install 3g radio just like laptops
False info.... do some research before you post a whole thread dedicated to a rumour.
Sent from my Xoom

Buy the 3G version or use a dongle?

Im contemplating whether i should get the 32GB WIFI and use it with a dongle or get the 3G version.
What is more preferred considering price and effectiveness?
mazinya said:
Im contemplating whether i should get the 32GB WIFI and use it with a dongle or get the 3G version.
What is more preferred considering price and effectiveness?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Price: Dongle + USB host cable = less than $50
Effectiveness: They'll both get you online; a dongle may be capable of 4g data (mine is)
Product that exists: The 3g nexus hasn't been released yet.
^^^^ The flip-side is that the 3g version WILL be out in about a week and its more convenient not to have to carry a separate dongle.
Personally I have just ordered the Wifi version and will set it to automatically bluetooth tether to my phone when out and about. With the right set-up its as simple as knocking the Wifi off on the Nexus 7 for the tether to take place so its not an issue, never even have to touch or unlock the phone.
You could use wifi hotspot on your phone too. I currently do that with my HTC One S and 16 GB Nexus 7.
baileyjr said:
With the right set-up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
care to elaborate on that a bit? i have trouble bt-tethering, only works for a few minutes. i would expect it to be less battery consuming on the phone (gnex for me) than the wifi.
PcFish said:
You could use wifi hotspot on your phone too. I currently do that with my HTC One S and 16 GB Nexus 7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do this too.
It's a case of 2 taps on my phone, and my Nexus will detect and connect automatically.
But if I had to choose dongle or built in, built in for convenience, dongle if I wanted 4g.
I was indeed thinking about tethering to my Sensation, though im a bit afraid it might eat up the phone's battery too quickly when im outside and i will be left without or little battery.
You can use OpenGarden app to tether via bluetooth..
mazinya said:
I was indeed thinking about tethering to my Sensation, though im a bit afraid it might eat up the phone's battery too quickly when im outside and i will be left without or little battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
aLPaSLaN07 said:
You can use OpenGarden app to tether via bluetooth..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bluetooth uses a lot less power, I will do a test tonight with my one X.
I tend to find 5 hours of WiFi hotspotting on my phone will drain about 50% of the battery.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
Hopefully I'm not intruding but how do you get a 3G dongle working? just an interesting thought.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
ÜBER™ said:
Hopefully I'm not intruding but how do you get a 3G dongle working? just an interesting thought.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download an app called PPP Widget. Most 3G dongles require little more than that, although there are a few that require some extra footwork.
rratalia said:
Download an app called PPP Widget. Most 3G dongles require little more than that, although there are a few that require some extra footwork.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow that simple. I may look into buying one.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
kendong2 said:
care to elaborate on that a bit? i have trouble bt-tethering, only works for a few minutes. i would expect it to be less battery consuming on the phone (gnex for me) than the wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the late reply, only just saw the reply.
I use these two free apps from the play store, Bluetooth Auto Connect/Bluetooth Auto Tether. :good:
if N7 only has 3g and a dongle gets you 4g, to me its a no brainer..
i am new about this and still lil bit fuzzy::
what about the carriers different bands, is that all setup in the dongle?
so, a dongle is carrier specific?
i do realize that it has to accept a sim card
thanx
Wifi Tether FTW. 80gbps on Verizon LTE. Boom.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
player911 said:
Wifi Tether FTW. 80gbps on Verizon LTE. Boom.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
80Gbps? LOL not even possible.
More like 40Mbps.
Sent from my Nexus 7
mazinya said:
Im contemplating whether i should get the 32GB WIFI and use it with a dongle or get the 3G version.
What is more preferred considering price and effectiveness?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the 32gb WiFi one and got a mifi portable 3g HSDPA+ hotspot from three. As long as I turn on the mifi the nexus just connects to it when I'm not in range of my home network.

Any aussies on XT905 and Optus 4G?

Any Aussies here with a Telstra XT905 but on Optus and with 4G active?
I'm finding with 4G active I get intermittent signal dropouts - it will go from even 5 bars to none then re-connect shortly. This is intermittent and random, I don't know how often its really happening unless I just happen to see it when I've got the screen on. I started noticing it as it seems to drop voice calls when it happens, normally doesn't kick in on a voice call until >5 minutes.
If I turn off 4G all is fine.
I tried freezing modem fast dormancy and modem stats service as it seemed to be triggering lots of wakelocks, but that didn't affect it.
I'm feeling dumb now signing up for another year and enabling 4G, could have kept trucking on my cheaper non 4G plan lol (and be coming out of contract around now!).
Note I'm on Optus, i have no idea if this happens if I am Telstra. The problem is too intermittent for me to pop in a temporary Telstra SIM and notice it (as I don't want my 'real' number to be offline for more than a short duration). I'm hoping it is indeed carrier related (i.e. so problem is fixed if I go back to Telstra, as opposed to hardware issue). Its intermittent enough so that its impossible to demonstrate in a store, and further I've unlocked/rooted so there goes my warranty anyway!
I'm the only one? Even if you don't have any issues w/ Optus 4G pls let me know so I can distinguish between a phone issue and a general Optus 4G compatibility issue.
3G appears rock solid, switched back to it (battery life FTW) and no issues again.
wintermute000 said:
I'm the only one? Even if you don't have any issues w/ Optus 4G pls let me know so I can distinguish between a phone issue and a general Optus 4G compatibility issue.
3G appears rock solid, switched back to it (battery life FTW) and no issues again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I swear not many aussie users on here...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
pjcons said:
I swear not many aussie users on here...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Telstra marketing and exclusive really hurt this phone. Nobody knows it exists but when they see it they want one as it's got all the high end goodies just not gigantic sized
Sent from my XT905 using Tapatalk 2
wintermute000 said:
Telstra marketing and exclusive really hurt this phone. Nobody knows it exists but when they see it they want one as it's got all the high end goodies just not gigantic sized
Sent from my XT905 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True that, all we need is a ready to run rom to really open this baby up!
Sent from my XT905 using Tapatalk 2
wintermute000 said:
Telstra marketing and exclusive really hurt this phone. Nobody knows it exists but when they see it they want one as it's got all the high end goodies just not gigantic sized
Sent from my XT905 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if I agree. We've all purchased this "niche" phone so it has a market, but Motorola phones are generally not anywhere near as popular as say SG3 or the like.
Personally I've always used Moto phones since I had the Moto Z6, what a beast! Best sound on a phone ever (ok may of that generation!).
A lot of ppl got put off by the allegedly crappy screen and price.

[Q] wifi booster/ and or repeater suggestions?

So here's the deal, just moved into a new house and I get really poor data signal in my bathroom and wifi doesn't reach. How am I supposed to read stuff?? Lmao...
Anyways I'm wondering if anyone could help me out with some suggestions on a wifi repeater or booster. I get good signal in my room, but as soon as I go in my bathroom I'm lucky to get one bar. I don't think my router has support for additional antennas, it's from att u-verse. So I'm thinking more along the lines of a repeater. Doesn't have to be crazy fast or anything. Just looking for something I can use to read forums and news articles.
Just thought I would see what kind of suggestions I could get and what other people are using.
Thanks in advance!
Sent from my Galaxy Note 2 powered by the force
Try buying a wireless access point same thing as a repeater and simple setup.
Sent from my LG-P769 using xda app-developers app
will0899 said:
Try buying a wireless access point same thing as a repeater and simple setup.
Sent from my LG-P769 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was kinda thinking about doing that.
Sent from my Galaxy Note 2 powered by the force
You could run a wireless bridge/repeater and see if your router is supported with DD-WRT perhaps, or just move the router to more center in the house.
MrObvious said:
You could run a wireless bridge/repeater and see if your router is supported with DD-WRT perhaps, or just move the router to more center in the house.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't move the router. It has to stay in the living room because it runs the TV box lol.
Ya I'm thinking about finding a router I can flash to turn into a bridge. I've heard linksys are pretty good for that.
Sent from my Galaxy Note 2 powered by the force
I've been looking at all options for my home ( I get 95dBm to 110dBm) I found a nice set up, the Wilson 841263 but it's not capable of boosting 4g. After contacting Wilson electronics (who were quick to respond and very helpful) I was informed that they have a new product coming out soon..the tri-band 4G-C model # 802770 that will boost 2/3/4G signals. With this model you can move about freely in your home and not be anchored to anything. The only bad part is I don't know what the cost will be.
sent from my N7 :smokin:
Gigabitex2 said:
I've been looking at all options for my home ( I get 95dBm to 110dBm) I found a nice set up, the Wilson 841263 but it's not capable of boosting 4g. After contacting Wilson electronics (who were quick to respond and very helpful) I was informed that they have a new product coming out soon..the tri-band 4G-C model # 802770 that will boost 2/3/4G signals. With this model you can move about freely in your home and not be anchored to anything. The only bad part is I don't know what the cost will be.
sent from my N7 :smokin:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That does sound nice. I ended up getting a belkin extender. Not exactly the most seamless solution but it works.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using xda premium
one of my dilemnas to. i ended up buying another a/p. great tho, one for the family and the other for visitors.
Sent from my Burst S280 using xda premium
If you have an old android phone you may use fqrouter2 for rooted Android devices and you have a perfectly working WiFi Repeater (available free in Google Play Store)
You can buy a 30 dollar reapeater at Walmart. It is very low profile and just plugs into the wall.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA-FORUM, powered by appyet.com
jfsjfy said:
You can buy a 30 dollar reapeater at Walmart. It is very low profile and just plugs into the wall.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA-FORUM, powered by appyet.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend myamplifiers.com Online store of wi-fi signal boosters.
Take a look at this site.

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