How to Disable WiFi on Dell Inspiron 660

[TDKMate]

Hi All.

First I need to mention I know Zero about networking.

The short version is How do I Disable WiFi on a years old Dell Inspiron 660?

Long version: Today I was doing some security updates on my Betterhalf's computer, I opened Task Manager for the first time on it. Under the Networking tab I saw the Local Area Connection like I see on my computer, but on top there was a second grid for WiFi!???

I didn't even know her system had WiFi.

Not knowing what to do, I looked at the "Network" icon on the lower left of the screen. Sure enough, I had my choice of four WiFi links.

I then looked at Device Manager under Network Adapters and found:
Dell Wireless 1506 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz, and
Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller.

I don't know what else to do, but I figure there has to be an easy way to simply turn it off without just uninstalling it in Device Manager.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[TDKMate]

Sorry, but after thinking about it for a minute, how is the computer even seeing WiFi? It's hard wired into my router. Recently I had to look at my router for my cable company and it's something like a Linksys WG54G or GL.

So is it supplying the WiFi links to the computer? Or is it just getting them from 'thin air'??

 

[oscer1]

Hi see if it has a separate wifi card if so you can take it out if you not going to use wifi. you could take a picture of the back of the case and we should be able to tell if it has a separate card.

 

[UsernameIssues]

I then looked at Device Manager under Network Adapters and found:
Dell Wireless 1506 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz, and
Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller.

You could just leave it alone. It won't hurt a thing.
If you wish, right click on that entry and select Disable from the context menu.

Hi see if it has a separate wifi card if so you can take it out if you not going to use wifi. you could take a picture of the back of the case and we should be able to tell if it has a separate card.

That is a good idea - but not for recent Dell models. These desktops do not have a card that can be seen from the back. They don't use a slot unless someone asked for external antennas. Dell often uses a mini card that you would expect to see in a laptop and the antennas stay inside of the desktop's case.

Here is the card:
Dell Inspiron 660 660s WiFi Wireless Card 802 11 B G N MXX0D DW1506 | eBay

Here is the card on a 660 desktop motherboard:
http://en.community.dell.com/resize...2_5F00_dell_5F00_inspiron_5F00_660_5F00_4.jpg

Here are the stock internal antennas:
http://saraniya.wxyz123.com/HTML%20for%20store/Dell/DELL%20Inspiron%20660s/Wireless%20Antenna/IMG_1337.JPG

 

[TDKMate]

Hi see if it has a separate wifi card if so you can take it out if you not going to use wifi. you could take a picture of the back of the case and we should be able to tell if it has a separate card.

Thanks for the idea, oscer1, but I really don't want to be pulling things out of her computer. I'll keep it in mind, though.

 

[TDKMate]

I then looked at Device Manager under Network Adapters and found:
Dell Wireless 1506 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz, and
Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller.

You could just leave it alone. It won't hurt a thing.
If you wish, right click on that entry and select Disable from the context menu.

Hi see if it has a separate wifi card if so you can take it out if you not going to use wifi. you could take a picture of the back of the case and we should be able to tell if it has a separate card.

That is a good idea - but not for recent Dell models. These desktops do not have a card that can be seen from the back. They don't use a slot unless someone asked for external antennas. Dell often uses a mini card that you would expect to see in a laptop and the antennas stay inside of the desktop's case.

Here is the card:
Dell Inspiron 660 660s WiFi Wireless Card 802 11 B G N MXX0D DW1506 | eBay

Here is the card on a 660 desktop motherboard:
http://en.community.dell.com/resize...2_5F00_dell_5F00_inspiron_5F00_660_5F00_4.jpg

Here are the stock internal antennas:
http://saraniya.wxyz123.com/HTML for store/Dell/DELL Inspiron 660s/Wireless Antenna/IMG_1337.JPG

If it's not hurting anything, I'll leave it alone. I'm assuming it's not taking up too many system resources.

I guess my real concern is if I can see other people's links, can they see mine? How do I block that? I don't use WiFi, so how do I make sure I'm not broadcasting my signal??

Thanks for the photos! I would have never thought that was a WiFi 'card.' Yeah, I'll leave that alone.
.

 

[AddRAM]

Laptop = Turn off the wifi switch

Desktop = Remove the card or disable it in Device Manager

What do you mean you can see other people`s links ? What are you talking about ?


Your wireless signal is broadcast from your wireless router, you can turn that off if you want to, but why ??

People can only use your signal if the know your WEP key and enter it.

Make sure you have it password protected.

I can see about 12 wireless routers around my house, but why would I want to use someone`s elses router ???

Wireless is only meant for laptops, phones, tablets, wireless printers etc.

Wireless sucks

When ever possible always use an ethernet cable.

 

[TDKMate]

Laptop = Turn off the wifi switch

Desktop = Remove the card or disable it in Device Manager …

Thanks for the reply and tips, AddRAM.

… What do you mean you can see other people`s links ? What are you talking about ? …

Just like you mention below: you can see 12 wireless routers.

… Your wireless signal is broadcast from your wireless router, you can turn that off if you want to, but why ?? …

My question is, since I don’t use WiFi, why have it on and risk someone ‘breaking’ into it. You or I wouldn’t use someone else’s signal, but not everyone is a scrupulous as us. I guess I’m a little worried about someone using my signal for nefarious deeds, like downloading pirated software or the like.

… People can only use your signal if the know your WEP key and enter it. …

I wasn’t joking when I say I know nothing about this. All I know about WEP is that it’s some kind of ‘password.’ I have no idea how to set it up or if I even have one.

… Make sure you have it password protected. …

I’d love to. How do I do it??

… I can see about 12 wireless routers around my house, but why would I want to use someone`s elses router ??? …

I don’t want to, either.

… Wireless is only meant for laptops, phones, tablets, wireless printers etc.

Wireless sucks …

Agreed

… When ever possible always use an ethernet cable.

That I actually know. And yes, I’m using a Ethernet cable. I’ve always heard that it is not only faster, but more secure, too.

.