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Saturday, September 20, 2008

Problems with wireless connectivity

I have a Dell Latitude D620 laptop and use it to connect to the internet frequently using my WI-FI/wireless network. I was able to connect to the internet without any problem until recently, when all of a sudden, I could no longer connect to the internet. I was getting the following error:

Wireless Network Connection Not Connected. Right-click here for more options.

Searches on the net recommended that I check my router as well as my wireless network adapter.

My router and other wireless networks were working fine but I could no longer view the available networks – neither my own wireless network nor anyone else's in the vicinity. Using the Device Manager functionality (to access it, go to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Systems Tools > Device Manager in Windows XP), I troubleshot the Dell Wireless network adapter but it indicated that the device was working correctly. I then updated the Dell driver. While I still couldn’t connect to the internet, I started getting the following error:

The Dell Wireless WLAN Card is still disabled. Slide the Wireless ON/OFF Switch to enable it.

I wasn’t aware of any Wireless ON/OFF Switch and initially had problems finding it. Finally, I found that it was located on the side of my laptop, next to the slots for the microphone and speaker. Sliding the switch restored my wireless internet connectivity and finally, life appeared to be good again! Seems while cleaning my laptop, I must have accidentally turned off the switch which led to all these problems.

As always, it was a good learning experience - all problems in life provide a valuable lesson. I should have been more careful while cleaning my laptop. However, fixing the problem was a bit of confidence booster as I'm a novice when it comes to computers but just by doing searches on the internet and playing around with various computer settings helped me resolve the issue, while saving me a trip to the repair shop as well as some money.

posted by Ruby @ 8:25 AM

7 Comments:

At 4:21 AM, Anonymous said…

I love you !!!!! Really :)

I had exactly the same problem... same error message and same laptop. The only diffrence between us is that I know how it happened : wrong choice of USB device stopped when I wanted to remove my external Hard Drive.

Sarah
At 8:59 AM, Ruby said…

Sarah,

Am glad you found the post useful.

Cheers,
Ruby
At 7:10 PM, geoffrobinson said…

I would have never have figured this out without you. Thank you.
At 12:27 PM, Anonymous said…

We has the exact same problem on a DELL Latitude E6400, and now we found the switch, thanks to you! One wonders why there is such a switch...

Anyway, thank you so much!

MJ
At 9:02 PM, Anonymous said…

I had same problem with my Dell Latitude E64000.Thanks for the post, it solved my problem

--Sesh
At 9:20 PM, Ruby said…

Welcome! Am glad the post helped you.

Cheers
At 11:52 PM, Anonymous said…

thanks for taking the time for posting this - I lost an hour of my life looking for this ! hug!

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