[strider_mt2k]

After toying around with some ideas for an internal modification to my Inspiron Mini 9 I decided to keep it fairly simple.

I'd like to start out by sincerely thanking fellow member acabtp for posting his "Internal USB GPS" modification and for being so helpful and encouraging.
It really showed the way and is part of the foundation of my mod.

Second I'd like to repeat what the kind folks at Dell have said and be perfectly clear that modifying the hardware of your Inspiron Mini 9 WILL void your warranty, so don't do it if you're expecting any support in the future for your Mini 9.

What I wanted to do was mount the Nano Receiver for my Logitech VX Nano laser notebook mouse within my Mini 9 without breaking down the receiver or soldering it in. That way it can be removed or replaced easily in the future.
(It's not like it sticks out very far, but now it doesn't stick out at all and I've freed up the external port!)

This strikes me as an ideal way for someone without Bluetooth to add that capability as well.


I tried to condense the photos to reduce the number of posts I have to make. I hope it's not too annoying.

Part 1 starts by showing the receiver as it looks in the side of the Mini.
First I cut out the female end of an inexpensive USB extension cable, preparing it by de-soldering the original wires and applying some 3M Very High Bond double-sided tape.

[strider_mt2k]

Part 2 shows the 24 gauge wires I scavenged from an old network cable that I'm using for +5volt power and the 30 gauge Kynar wire-wrap wire I'm using for the USB data lines.

The USB data lines are soldered to pins 36 and 38 of the unused mini PCI-e connector.

I used blue for DATA - and white for DATA + not knowing the USB wiring standard has white for the DATA - line until I looked up the pinout for the USB female connector. By then I had soldered them on and didn't want to mess the job up over it.
I then secured the wires using a small adhesive decal left over from my Micro RC modding days and got ready for the "fun" part, as we'll see in Part 3.

[strider_mt2k]

Part 3 reveals how I diverged from acabtp's method of tapping the touchpad power wires.
Where he disassembled the case to install his GPS receiver,soldering to the connections at the touchpad, I soldered my power connections at the motherboard connections where the touchpad ribbon cable plugs in.

This area is exposed when the keyboard is removed and is also shown in the service manual.
The triangle mark denotes the positive connection. Far opposite connection is ground.

I opened up the connector and removed the small ribbon cable in preparation for one of the tighter soldering jobs I've done in the last few years or so. :|
A few minutes and some teeth grinding later I was ready to route the power wires to the underside of the motherboard.

[strider_mt2k]

After routing the power wires through the motherboard I proceeded to cut back my wires and solder them onto the female USB A connector, attaching the connector to the motherboard with the VHB tape afterward.
[attachment=1:3mchvfow]Part 4.jpg[/attachment:3mchvfow]

The nano receiver installs (and removes) easily, and fits within the access area without the cover contacting it at all.
I'm happy I didn't blow up my new toy modifying it, and am really happy with the results.
[attachment=0:3mchvfow]Part 5.jpg[/attachment:3mchvfow]


Only now do I realize i didn't have to post this in parts, but what's done is done.
:mrgreen:

[acabtp]

see, told you you'd feel better once the warranty was gone 8-)

[UnaClocker]

Very nice mod. Was just thinking I needed some kind of mouse along those lines. I may do the same thing to mine in the future. Thanks for blazing the trail.

[strider_mt2k]

Originally Posted by acabtp

see, told you you'd feel better once the warranty was gone 8-)

Thanks man!
I sure do! :P

[veritas]

So the Logitech Nano does not work with the BT that Dell provides with the Mini? :?:

[PM5K]

Originally Posted by veritas

So the Logitech Nano does not work with the BT that Dell provides with the Mini? :?:

No only Bluetooth devices work with Bluetooth receivers.

[strider_mt2k]

Part of the reason for me doing my mod the way I did was that it leaves me with the option to remove the Nano receiver if I get a BT mouse in the future.