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Latitude E5400 wifi switch.
I'm using a refurbished Latitude E5400 and for the most parts it's serving me well. I have just two issues with it. One is that it has a nasty habit of spontaneously switching off and then when I restart it the monitor comes on with extremely low brightness requiring me to restart it again at least once more in order to be able to see a normal display.
I'm not too worried about that for now because it's under warranty and as soon as I've finished a big piece of work I have to do over the next few weeks I'll be able to send it for repair and manage without it for a bit.
But the more immediate issue is that there is some sort of mechanical issue with the wifi switch. It tends towards keeping the wifi off unless I squeeze it really hard into the on position and make several attempts to let go such that wifi remains switched on. Wifi will go off again at less than a drop of a hat and it can be a real nuisance.
So my question is how much control that switch actually has. Does it control just one specific wifi adapter, or does it control whether or not the computer will use wifi at all? In other words, if I buy a USB wifi adapter without fixing the switch will the computer be able to access wifi through the USB adapter even when the switch is off?
Thanks for your help!
Dell-Brad L
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May 1st, 2017 15:00
Hi there, sorry to hear about the issues, it sounds like you will definitely need service like you mentioned (when you're done with your projects etc.).
Fortunately there is easier fix than buying an external wireless adapter (which would work, but this fix is a lot better), you can actually just go into the BIOS by pressing F2 at the Dell screen (at the initial system power on) and disable what the the switch controls entirely. When you enter the BIOS there should be an option to select Wireless and disable the devices the switch actually controls. It should be something like Wireless > Wireless Switch > And then uncheck WWAN (if equipped), WLAN, and Bluetooth. Make sure to save the settings you just changed when you exit the BIOS.
Once Windows loads you should be all set and the system will allow you use wireless without issues regarding the Wireless Switch.
Best regards,
Brad
saxbend
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May 1st, 2017 16:00
Thanks for this. I was in fact given the exact same suggestion only a few hours earlier and it works exactly as you describe. I had also ordered a USB adapter as well, but it wasn't expensive and will probably be handy in the future the next time a wifi card dies either with this machine or another. Cheers!
Dell-Brad L
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May 3rd, 2017 15:00
Awesome, glad to hear you got it working! I definiely understand having an extra WiFi adapter on hand, especially with it being USB, you can use it on multiple machines like you mention.
Take care,
Brad