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    WiFi switch

    Discussion in 'Other Manufacturers' started by barspi, Oct 8, 2006.

  1. barspi

    barspi Notebook Consultant

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    I've been meaning to ask this for some time.
    The HEL80 supposedly has a WiFi switch on the front, next to the media card reader.
    Well, it doesn't work on mine... I mean, the WiFi is always on... maybe I have a loose wire or something inside? I'm using Linux, but I'm almost sure that the only time I booted Windows, like 10 days ago, it also did not work. There's also a Fn-F2 key combination that, according to the icon on the F2 would accomplish the same function but I guess I need drivers for that?
    Anyway, the switch on the front should be a HARDWARE switch if this world hasn't gone crazy enough so it should work in any O.S. Am I missing something?
    I still haven't opened my virignal new machine more than enough to check the hard drive, memory, etc... so I want to ask first :)
     
    barspi, Oct 8, 2006
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  2. chrisyano

    chrisyano Hall Monitor NBR Reviewer

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    The switch has an orange LED that indicates whether the WiFi is on or off. It is possible that if you're using Linux though, that it's not supported. But it should work like a power switch in Windows.

    Contact your reseller and see what they have to say about this.
     
    chrisyano, Oct 8, 2006
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  3. Donald@Paladin44

    Donald@Paladin44 Retired

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    The only way to test it properly is in Windows. Please boot in to Windows again and if the hardware switch does not work, call our 24/7 Tech Support or email [email protected]
     
    Donald@Paladin44, Oct 8, 2006
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  4. barspi

    barspi Notebook Consultant

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    ok now i'm in windows. same behavior.
    The switch (and Fn-F2) don't work.
    It's not extremely important... but sometimes it may be useful to suddenly disconnect in a hard way.. like you discover someone is trying to hack you through wifi.
     
    barspi, Oct 9, 2006
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  5. chrisyano

    chrisyano Hall Monitor NBR Reviewer

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    I suggest you call PowerNotebooks Tech support. They can help you diagnose the problem and are available 24/7 to all of their customers.
     
    chrisyano, Oct 9, 2006
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  6. barspi

    barspi Notebook Consultant

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    I will, I will... as soon as I finish this project and find time to do it :)
    Plus, I'm in South America so I have to install my VoIP ATA to call to the US.
    And GMT-2 so there's like 7 hour difference hahaha..
    I've talked to Donald a few times in the past, this is my second computer from them!
    I know they will try their best to help me.
     
    barspi, Oct 9, 2006
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  7. djtecha

    djtecha Notebook Enthusiast

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    can i ASK what wireless card you jave, because it might have something to do with it not being intel.
     
    djtecha, Oct 12, 2006
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  8. barspi

    barspi Notebook Consultant

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    It's the standard Intel 3945 that comes standard with this notebook. Nothing fancy.
    I think it probably a loose wire or the inner piece of the switch that it's loose.
    I'll call PowerNotebooks as soon as I find the time.
    It's not a terribly urgent matter, and I have the 3-year warranty :)
     
    barspi, Oct 12, 2006
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  9. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    with the HEL-80 I had for a few minutes, the front hardware switch only controlled the bluetooth as far as I could tell.
     
    Pitabred, Oct 12, 2006
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  10. pyro9219

    pyro9219 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    It controls both if you have both the wireless card (intel atleast) and the bluetooth...

    Also works in linux..
     
    pyro9219, Oct 12, 2006
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  11. chrisyano

    chrisyano Hall Monitor NBR Reviewer

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    Does it control both? I thought it was only for WiFi. Don't have any BT devices and haven't used it yet either, so I haven't used my BT adapter yet.
     
    chrisyano, Oct 12, 2006
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  12. pyro9219

    pyro9219 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    I was under the impression that it does... the point of the device is power conservation..
     
    pyro9219, Oct 13, 2006
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  13. chrisyano

    chrisyano Hall Monitor NBR Reviewer

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    That would be kind of a bummer if it is true. Imagine if you wanted to use the notebook on battery and turned off WiFi to save battery but also wanted to use your BT mouse.
     
    chrisyano, Oct 13, 2006
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  14. Donald@Paladin44

    Donald@Paladin44 Retired

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    Ok, I hate too but I will say it again...terrible concept I know but...please read the manual.
     
    Donald@Paladin44, Oct 13, 2006
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  15. pyro9219

    pyro9219 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    1.1.11 Wireless Communication Switch
    Turns the wireless communication function on or off. The wireless communication LED on the front panel lights when the function is activated.

    Bluetooth is infact wireless communication... but this doesn't say definitively...

    Your going to make me order a bluetooth card just so I can prove it one way or another =P

    Could always be less lazy and just rightclick the device and "disable" =P
     
    pyro9219, Oct 14, 2006
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  16. Atook

    Atook Notebook Evangelist

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    And of course if you wanted to use BT and disable wireless, you could just disable the wireless from the task panel (red W).
     
    Atook, Oct 14, 2006
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  17. Donald@Paladin44

    Donald@Paladin44 Retired

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    The hardware switch turns off/on but the software (Wireless Select Switch) allows you to choose which device is off or on. When you hold FN+F2, the Wireless Select Switch application pops up where you can use the arrow key to select which device you want on or off.

    So, with the hardware switch on, open the software and uncheck the WiFi while leaving the Bluetooth checked and you will be able to use your Bluetooth device(s) with the WiFi card off.
     
    Donald@Paladin44, Oct 16, 2006
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