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    Inspiron 1420 Wireless Issues

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by rogandaddy, Feb 18, 2012.

  1. rogandaddy

    rogandaddy Newbie

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    Hello - I have a Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop that started having issues (no wireless, no USB/CD capabilities...couldn't even format the HD for a reinstall). I put it in a closet for a couple years and now everything except the wireless works perfectly so I reinstalled windows Vista, loaded drivers, etc., and no wireless. Device manager does not even recognize it's existance.

    I replaced the mini-card under the keyboard and the same thing. It seems to me like the card fits loosely into the socket and if I wiggle it while the machine is on the wifi light on the front panel will flicker.

    Has anyone had this happen? Do I have to replace the motherboard to improve the socket? Can I use the WWAN slot instead?

    Thanks for the help!
     
    rogandaddy, Feb 18, 2012
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  2. rogandaddy

    rogandaddy Newbie

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    Appreciate any info anybody has!
     
    rogandaddy, Feb 20, 2012
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  3. smashly

    smashly Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,
    Maybe a faulty switch on the front left of the laptop?
    Check in the Bios settings for the wireless card in which way the wireless card is set as.
    I think you can set the wireless card to ignore the switch on the front of the laptop (there's a few modes the wireless card can be set).

    The only reason I suggest that is if Device manager doesn't even see the hardware, then then it could be the card is not being enabled.
     
    smashly, Feb 20, 2012
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