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Laptop on screen indication of WiFi enabled/disabled
Is it me, or did Dell laptops which only allow WiFi to be enabled/disabled via FN+ (for example as used on Latitude 3570 and Precision M3800) used to display something on screen briefly (something like an antennae tower with/without the radio waves), independent of the OS, to indicate that you had enabled/disabled the WiFi?
I have a suspicion that they did.
If they did, any ideas as to why they might stop displaying that indication?
The Latitude 3570 isn't really an issue as your can set the Broadcom WiFi to automatically disable itself when a wired network connection is detected. The M3800's Intel WiFi however, has no such option. Users with these frequently end up going unintentionally multi-homed with two IP addresses on the same network simultaneously (Windows 7 Pro 64 bit) -one via wired and a second via WiFi.
If they didn't any utilities for Windows 7 to provide that sort of indication (even though not OS independent)?
Dell-Brad L
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June 7th, 2017 13:00
Hi george.h,
Can you send me a Private Message with the Service Tags attached to these systems, and also what Operating systems are currently installed (for example Win 7/8/10 etc). I want to say on the Intel cards there should be an advanced settings menu to disable the WiFi automatically when the system has been docked/ethernet cable has been attached.
As for your other question, I know in Windows 8 and 10 it willl typically show an Airplane Mode icon/tower icon when the wireless is turned off since this key actually disables both the WiFi and Bluetooth on the card. I believe in Windows 7 there might be some additional software required but I can look into this further once I have the Service Tags and system configurations. Also, depending on system configurations sometimes the icon might not show, but you should be able to see if the card is enabled in network settings or in the Device Manager.
Best regards,
Brad
george.h
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June 8th, 2017 02:00
Hi Brad,
Private message sent.
In summary (for everyone else reading who has an interest), the Latitude 3570's are fitted with Dell Wireless adaptors, are running Windows 7 Pro 64 bit, and NEVER show any form of on-screen display/icon to indicate wireless enabled/disabled via keyboard key combination.
The Precision M3800 has an Intel Dual Band AC-7260, is also running Windows 7 Pro 64 bit, and SOMETIMES shows it. Typically only if a user is already logged on. If there is no user logged on it doesn't.
Having said that I really hate the stupidity, especially with Intel, of it NOT establishing a default network connection over WiFi if no user is logged on, without having to go through the hassle of manually setting one up.