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    Wi_Fi catcher

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by tonyguy2000, Oct 14, 2008.

  1. tonyguy2000

    tonyguy2000 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is there suppose to be lights on the Wi-Fi catcher button on the side of the laptop?

    Thanks in advance,

    Tony
     
    tonyguy2000, Oct 14, 2008
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  2. Jstn7477

    Jstn7477 Sam I Am

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    I would think that there would be a bi-color LED or something there to let you know if there are available wireless networks or not.

    -J.B.
     
    Jstn7477, Oct 14, 2008
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  3. RedBeardedDevil

    RedBeardedDevil Notebook Consultant

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    I think just about every notebook/laptop comes with lights at least acknowledging that you have wifi turned on.

    And Jstn, that 1st desktop rocks! I had a similar setup once. I am turning the chip into a keychain.
     
    RedBeardedDevil, Oct 14, 2008
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  4. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    Yes there is, keep in mind that you have to install Dell's Quickset application in order for the Wifi Catcher to wrok.
     
    Bog, Oct 14, 2008
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  5. Jstn7477

    Jstn7477 Sam I Am

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    lol thanks. Right now I am using it to move files from Jaz disks over an ISA SCSI controller to Zip disks on a Parallel port Zip drive. Takes like 10 minutes to move 100MB of data, since this machine probably doesn't have DMA capability on the parallel port, meaning that the 486 is basically completely used. This, of course, means that the processor runs extremely hot. I added another 4mb of ram to make the total now 52MB.

    (Sorry for derailing the thread)

    Anyway, since the main purpose of the WiFi catcher is to find available networks without turning the laptop on, it should have a status light next to it.

    -J.B.
     
    Jstn7477, Oct 14, 2008
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  6. tonyguy2000

    tonyguy2000 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have Quickset running---is there a led that is suppose to light next to or near the button on the side?
     
    tonyguy2000, Oct 14, 2008
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  7. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    When you press the Wifi Catcher button, the button itself should light up with either a white or green color, and then blink to indicate the signal strength. Also, if the computer is on, a small window will open, displaying a list that summarizes the findings of the network scan.

    If you have QuickSet installed and you're not getting anything, open the options for the WiFi Catcher and make sure that its turned on. Mine was not turned on by default, for whatever reason.
     
    Bog, Oct 14, 2008
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  8. tonyguy2000

    tonyguy2000 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yea, it's turned on all right(wifi catcher). The window pops up but the button does not light up or even change color. Well now thats two things not working on a brand new laptop. Tech support diagnosed with me that that the fingerprint reader is defective earlier today. They offered to send a new laptop or repair this one. I think I'll go for a new one. :(
     
    tonyguy2000, Oct 14, 2008
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  9. yasdaz

    yasdaz Notebook Evangelist

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    Wi-Fi catcher light will only light up if the laptop is off; that is it's purpose, to locate signals when the laptop is powered down. When the laptop is up, the wi fi catcher brings up the list of available networks like you describe it doing. It is working fine :).
     
    yasdaz, Oct 15, 2008
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  10. tonyguy2000

    tonyguy2000 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thank you!! That makes sense to me. That was the answer I was looking for. My XPS works fine like you explained. I was trying to get the LED to work when powered up!

    Thanks again,

    Tony
     
    tonyguy2000, Oct 15, 2008
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  11. billy_b0b

    billy_b0b Notebook Consultant

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    I have my WiFi catcher button disabled. I find it to be a useless feature.
     
    billy_b0b, Oct 15, 2008
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  12. eleron911

    eleron911 HighSpeedFreak

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    My wifi catcher lights up blue when looking for networks...
     
    eleron911, Oct 15, 2008
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  13. yasdaz

    yasdaz Notebook Evangelist

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    To op, glad to be of help :D!
     
    yasdaz, Oct 16, 2008
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