Replacing Mini PCIe (Second wireless slot) question

[forch]

Hi all, a question for the hardcore hardware folks

 

While I was replacing my Broadcom 4313 (4727) with a Broadcom 4312 (4315), both half size (or half length), I noticed a second Mini PCIe slot.

Which has the full length, see picture below right marked with a red line.

 

 

High quality of the image is here

 

I know of this 'thing' that most manufacturers attach the second Mini PCIe slot to a USB interface, not a PCIe interface. I can't really follow this fact, but it seems to be real enough (at least I've read it in some posts, for example here).

 

Anyone has any knowledge about it? Is the left white plug which I marked with a red line a USB plug for the second Min PCIe slot? Has nothing to do with a white plug, it's just the bus where it connects itself to.

 

As you can also see on the picture, I can't do an instant try-out by just swapping the cards, because the w/b cables aren't long enough. I could extend them, maybe. Anyhow or ho, I'm going to do this thing anyway. I already measured the full length PCIe cards and how they could fit, and I could modify the chassis so it fits. Of course I'm going to try it out first before doing un-doable damage

 

As i said, I'm going to upgrade it anyway, was hoping someone with know-how could give some feedback.

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Untill then, I'll just keep talking to myself in this thread ..

 

Cheers

[forch]

Well, just did the test, swapped the Wireless .... no signal

--edit

Really don't know if the 'no-signal' thing has anything to do with the interface being USB or whatever. The thing is that I can't really tell if the wireless is on or off. Maybe I should try blocking the 7th pin, but who knows, someone might read this post and know what the heck I'm takling about

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Card is recognized, Linux drivers install well, but no scans can be made.

 

 

Also, the fans start to blow harder then normal, bit strange. Anyway, the search goes on.