Wireless Laptop Help

[Seraphim]

So my friends laptop keeps trying to connect wireless but it is plug in to a ethernet cable already. I went into the control panel and the wireless network setting was already disabled. I have no clue what else to do.

[CruddyLeper]

What make is it?

Many laptops have a hotkey combination to turn the wireless function on or off - if you press it by mistake, that can cause it.

Turning wireless off saves on battery use, so it's there for a reason.

If you want to disable hardware from Windows, use Device Manager - right click My Computer, select Properties/Hardware/Device Manager. Click the + next to Network adaptors, right click on the wireless card entry, and select "Disable".

If you right click on Properties instead, you can change whether the network hardware uses half or full duplex. Full is recommded, helps the old game ping times a little bit.

[Greek soldier]

See if you have an "enable-disable" button near the IEEE 1394 and microphone ports.

If the problem persists, then there may be a problem with the wireless network. Doubt the Ethernet has to do with it.

[Seraphim]

Its a Toshiba running on XP pro.

I've already done this part


If you want to disable hardware from Windows, use Device Manager - right click My Computer, select Properties/Hardware/Device Manager. Click the + next to Network adaptors, right click on the wireless card entry, and select "Disable".

[daily666]

Maybe there's a hotkey (Fn+ something) to turn the Wi-Fi on. Can you tell what kind of Toshiba laptop is it?

[CruddyLeper]

Usually FN + F8 on Toshiba laptops.

EDIT: Suggest you brose the exact family and model number at;-

http://www.toshibadirect.com/ (US)

http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.com (Europe)

Families/model numbers differ slightly between the markets. Should be a download... Click Technical Support first for US, or Support & Downloads/Toshiba KnowledgeBase for Europe. It may be that your particular model needs a BIOS update before it reliably switches the wireless card on or off.

[Seraphim]

I'll check out the exact model tonight, its pretty new...duo centrino processor.

[winchester_down]

ive got a toshiba satellite, there is a wireless switch at the very front below the touchpad,

maybe try the settings in your web browser?

[EvanL]

I've got a cellphone.. Way to go techmology!

[CruddyLeper]

ive got a toshiba satellite, there is a wireless switch at the very front below the touchpad,

maybe try the settings in your web browser?

Most Toshiba's don't have the switch... and disabling the card in Device Manager should override it anyway.

I suspect the BIOS routine that shuts down and resets the hardware is at fault. It's not unknown, although without the family and model number I couldn't be sure.

Post 'em if you get stuck Seraphim.

[Seraphim]

I didnt get the model number but it does have a on/off switch and it was switched off. Im definitely not going to flash the bios...I dont want to make a brand new laptop into a paperweight.

[CruddyLeper]

OK then. If it's really getting on your ****, just take the wireless card out. Keep it in a box inside a bit of bubblewrap.

[Seraphim]

Its built in wireless.

[CruddyLeper]

"Built in" means usually means there's a panel on the back for upgrading or changing it.

Take out the battery. Take off the power. Hold down the power button to discharge it.

Unscrew the panel, whip out the card.

It's that or getting the model number (look on the back for a silver Toshiba sticker with a bar code - model number should be listed there) and going to Toshiba for the "official" fix.

Your call.

[saigonsmuggler]

have you tried to look in the BIOS to see if there is a wireless enable/disable function?