Faulty WLAN Switch. Bypass?

I own a vaio vgn fe770g and the wlan switch at the front of the computer is faulty. This is a physical fault and it seems that there is a minute flaw in the connection by which i have to very carefully (and often for a very long time) move the switch so that it sits in a certain spot to get the wlan light to switch on. If i bump or even slightly move my laptop it's enough to knock it off and my connection is lost. You can imagine how frustrating this gets!

Is there a way to bypass the switch via the software/hardware so that it stays on permanently? (this would be my preferred option).

If not, then is there a way to physically bypass the switch through the circuitry? I do have basic soldering skills (mainly on electric guitar electronics) and have opened my laptop before so know how to put it back together, so if it's a simple procedure then I think I should be able to do it.

Looking forward to your help, this is driving me nuts!

 

A simple solder bridge across the switch contacts on the motherboard will suffice. The trick will be to determine which pads to bridge. But a little probing with an ohmmeter WHILE THE SWITCH STILL WORKS, should help figure that out.

Gary

 

Thanks mate. I don't have a potentiometer but i'll try and track one down. Cheers

 

An ohmmeter, not a potentiometer. The two are VERY different. Not sure where you are but Radio Shack sells them REALLY cheap. You could easily rig up a substitute with a AA battery, an LED and a couple of pieces of wire.

Gary