Wireless Zapped

Rodimus · 31 Mar 2010

The other day, my one year old began pounding on the keyboard of my wife's laptop whilst sitting in her lap, and now her laptop won't recognize the wireless I have in my home. The wireless adapter is turned on, but it continuously says that there are no wireless networks in range. I know the wireless is still working from other components in my home that are still receiving the signal. Prior to this incident, the wireless connected fine without issue.

Thanks in advance.

neo101 · 31 Mar 2010

Pull the card out.
Reboot.

Put card in reboot (add driver/disc - if needed)
See if it reinstalls everything goes back to normal

Laptop make/model/wireless card

Rodimus · 31 Mar 2010

Dell Inspiron 1545

Dell Wireless 1397 WLAN mini card Rev 5.00

neo101 · 31 Mar 2010

Tried any of these for dell products?

Dell - Support

After reinstalling drivers (I think some new Dell ones were released a few days ago) plug laptop straight into the router on a lead to test.

Check on Firefox plus Internet explorer for connection in case browser you were using got messed up eg firefox "auto detect proxy settings"

Is there a key combination that turns your wireless radio on & off? Like CTRL + R

CommonTater · 31 Mar 2010

Rodimus said:

Dell Inspiron 1545

Dell Wireless 1397 WLAN mini card Rev 5.00

If it's not detecting wireless in range, it's likely the pounding has damaged the wifi radio card in the laptop. It might simply be out of it's connector on the main board or, unfortunately, it may have to be replaced... In either case I'd recommend a trip to the service depot.

While you're at it, you might also want them to check the keyboard as well.