Problem with wireless connection: is my wireless switch on?

Question

I have a Dell Latitude D600. I purchased it with wireless capability, and it seemed to have worked originally (i.e., it would detect wireless networks), although I never used it. I now have wireless access at work, however, my computer cannot detect any wireless networks (i.e., people can). I have attempted to troubleshoot on my own, but I'm obviously not very computer savy. Anyway, when I try to detect wireless networks in range, it says "No wireless networks were found in range. Make sure the wireless switch on your computer is on." OK, here is the dumb question: how do I go about making sure that the wireless switch on my computer is on? Is this a hard switch? Or is it a virtual switch (i.e., something I have to change on the control panel)?

Thanks for any help (and sorry about the double post)

kdallmer · Answer

Hello,   If your company wireless is encrypted, you may not see the network, Make sure they install a WEP key (if your company uses WEP)  on your laptop so that the Network name will unencrypt and display as an available network..

Manh · Answer

Well, make sure first you have the drivers installed.  There should be a group called 'Dell Wireless LAN', something along those lines.  Also there are 2 cards that come with the D600.  One is the Intel Pro Mobile Wireless Card, and the other is a Dell Wireless card.  Both drivers are on the dell support site.  Next there should be an icon on your tray notification next to your clock.  It looks like a stair case going up.. If you go into the dell wirelss lan configuration, you may see a page, it has options on it, one is to enable the card, the other is to enable the radio on the card.    Before you do anything, go into device manager, see if you have any unknown devices (yellow question mark).  That will tell you if all your devices are there or not.  If they aren't one of them should be called 'network card'.  Chances are, you need the driver for it to function before you can use the wireless.   Then like the other user said, make sure they are not 'hiding' the SID.  Some companies, don't want to broadcast the SID because you may have visiting people in your office, and you dont' want them just surfing or getting on the network.   After all of this, be aware wireless range is limited.  I don't know how big your company is, but wireless typically can only travel 100' on a good day, line of sight.  So if you are in a big building, all those lights, wires, walls, cubes, metal shelfs, partitions..so on and so forth will affect the wireless signal.  A person next to you may get signal, because of their position, but you may not.   There are a ton of variables here, but it all starts with your machine.  You first have to make sure your machine is configured correctly, before you assume there is a problem with the wireless network.

frazwood · Answer

Thanks for the replies. I figured out how to turn on my wireless switch. It was a function F2. It also turns out that some other setting had been turned off. I am happily surfing wireless right now.

yucyuc · Answer

Frazwood,

I have a similar problem -- my wireless card was working until recently. I thought it is due to XP Service Pack 2.

Anyway, after seeing your post, I hit the function-F2 key to make sure wireless switch is on. But windows still gives the same complain.

-- you mentioned that are other settings that were off. Could you share what these setting are?

Thanks,

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Problem with wireless connection: is my wireless switch on?

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