Wireless Radio Switches Toggles & Key Combinations
For 802.11(x) Equipped Computers
Compiled by Kevin M. Childers
kchilder<at>mail.win.org
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For Windows Based Computers
If the drivers for the wireless adapter contain a setting to toggle wireless radio, it can be located using the following path: Start > Settings > Control Panel > Right click Wireless Network Connection Icon > Properties > Configure > Advanced tab
Here you will find a text box with a list of selectable properties that are populated by the device driver. Once you select a property there will be a value field with a drop down box containing configuration options that apply to that specific property. The name of the wireless radio property may vary because the listed properties are dependent on each specific device driver. It should be fairly intuitive to determine the correct property if you simply have the user read all the listed properties to you.
Many Laptop manufacturers will place a physical switch on the outside casing of the Laptop, so that the user can easily toggle wireless radio. Sometimes these switches get accidentally turned off, or intentionally turned off and the end user forgets to switch it Back. The best practice in these situations is to ask the user to look for a physical switch on the case of the Laptop, possibly with a symbol of a radio tower next to it. After turning the wireless switch on, the user will probably need to refresh their network list.
Laptops built by certain manufacturers may have a specific keystroke set up to toggle the wireless radio on/off.
Below is a listing by manufacturer of wireless radio software and hardware toggles that we have been able to document:
ACER
Acer (General) - Fn+F5
Aspire 1000/1640Z/1690/2012 - Launch Keys above the keyboard
Aspire 16xx (General) the satellite-like launch button above the keyboard
Aspire 2000 Series (less Aspire 2012, See Above) - Button on the Front of the Laptop
Aspire 3005 on the lower right-hand side of your laptop
Aspire 3500 -
Aspire 4520 - top of keyboard right below the power button, the far left one is the wireless button.
Aspire 5612 sliding button on the side of the laptop
Aspire 9302 the blue button on the left-hand side of the laptop
Aspire 94xx (General) the key found below the Lock key
Aspire One, in the lower right corner of the palm rest is a small strip with a picture of an antenna on it. An LED to the right of the strip lights to indicate the wireless is turned on.
Aspire One Series ZG5 -
Extensa 2000/2500 Series - Far Right launch button above the keyboard
Ferrari 3000/3020/3400/4000 - Button on Front of Laptop
Travelmate C Series - Far Left hot key and then choose WLAN from menu that appears
ADVENT
7070 - Fn+F2 (Basiclly a rebadged Medion RAM 2000)
7086/7096 - Button next to the power button
7100 /7104 - Fn+F2
7105 -
7201 - Wireless key top Right and then Fn+F2
8117 - Small slide switch on the Front of Laptop
Alienware
M17x - Fn+F2
ASUS
ASUS (General) - Fn+F2 (some models may have a seperate switch)
F5R - Toggle switch located on the Left side of the notebook
G1S - This laptop supports multimodal switching of the wireless and Blue Tooth radios via the key command Fn+F2:
1st press: On both Blue Tooth & WiFi
2nd press: Off Blue Tooth / On WiFi
3rd press: On Blue Tooth / Off WiFi
4th press: Off both Blue Tooth & WiFi
BENQ
Joybook 5000u-d09 - Fn+F12
DELL *-D1
Dell QuickSet - Click on icon in systems tray, click on "radio Control Options", click to toggle radio on/off.
General - Fn+F2 or Fn+F8 or Fn+F12
600m - Fn+ F2
E6400 on the right above the headphone and microphone ports, (next to "Dell Wi-Fi Catcher" button.)
Inspiron series (Less 1100 & 5100, See Below) - Fn+F2
* Inspiron 1100 - Has no built-in wireless, but if it were installed, the BIOS supports Fn+F8
Inspiron 1505 - Wireless icon next to the time (lower right hand corner of screen) right-click & turn radio on.
Inspiron 1510/500M/600M/1150 - Fn+F2
Inspirion 1521 - Sliding switch (Wi-Fi Catcher) is on the left side of the laptop (with light).
Inspirion 1525 - Wireless icon next to the time (lower right hand corner of screen) right-click & turn radio on.
There may also be a little on/off switch on the side or front of the laptop that you need to check is on.
Inspiron 1720 - on/off switch on the left side of the laptop
* Inspiron 5100 - No Built-in Wireless for this model
Inspiron 6000/8600/9300 - Fn+F2
Latitude D400/D500/D600/D610/D400/D500/D600/D610/D620/D800 - Fn+F2
Latitude D630 (D640 and Newer???) - toggle switch on the Left side towards the Front by the PCMCIA slots and headphone jack
Latitude D820 Slide Switch on left side above the Express Card slot D2
Latitude E6400 - Fn+F2
Latitude X300 - Fn+F2
Vostro 1000 - Fn+F2
Vostro 1400 - Slide Switch on left side above the Express Card slot D2
Vostro 1500 - Big button on Left side at rear (No Fn+F# combo to toggle wireless on/off for this model.)
XPS1210 -
XPS M1530 - On the right side near the front under the express card slot
*WiFi activation on Dell D610*
WiFi on D610. You can also go to the BIOS by pressing F12 on boot,
In the WiFi section, choose 1 of the 3 options:
*(Off) (By Application) (By pressing Alt+F2)
D1- Dell Studio laptops ship with a wireless feature called "The wireless switch." It is located on the left side of the computer (Near the hinge pin). When used in combination with Dell QuickSet utilities, this switch enables or disables the wireless LAN, wireless WAN, and Bluetooth® cards in the system. It is also used to search for all wireless networks in range.
D2-The WiFi Catcher Network Locator has a light that operates as follows:
White Light Models:
* Flashing white: Searching for networks
* Solid white for 10 seconds and then turns off: Network found
* Off (flashing white turns off after 10 blinks): No signal found
Green/Yellow light Models
* Flashing green: Searching for networks
* Solid green: Strong network found
* Solid yellow: Weak network found
* Flashing yellow: Error
* Off: No signal found
The WiFi Catcher Network Locator is enabled and configured for use when the computer is shipped.
For more information on the WiFi Catcher Network Locator and to enable the feature through Dell QuickSet, right-click the QuickSet icon in the notification area, and then select Help.
E-MACHINES
E-machine (General) - Fn+F2
E-System
3115 - Slide switch on Front of Laptop (Also has Fn+F5 function)
FUJITSU/SIEMENS
Fujitsu (General) - Fn+F10
Fujitsu/Siemens (General) - Use either the sliding “Wireless” button on the right-hand side of the laptop or use the Fn+F2 key combo
Some models have the ON/OFF wireless button just below the touchpad.
Amilo A & D Series - Button above the keyboard on top Right
Amilo K Series - No Built-in Wireless for this model
Amilo L/EL Series - Fn+F1
Amilo La Series - Fn+F2
Amilo Li Series - Easy launch button (one of 3) on top of keyboard
GATEWAY
Gateway (General) - Switch on side and then Fn+F2
7805u FX - Wireless toggle is on front right. Software switch is Fn+F2. (General (above) applies as well)
Ml6732 - Start > All Programs > Accessories > Windows Mobility Center, Click "Turn Wireless On." (May work on other models as well)
MT6821 - Fn+F2
* Fn is not in normal position and is located on the bottom left of the keyboard where Ctrl is typically located.
SA1 - On right front, below the keyboard, slides to right to turn on radio.
TA6 - Fn+F2
Gericom
Cinema 16100 - Fn+F1
HP (HEWITT-PACKARD)/COMPAQ
HP/Compaq (General Older models) - Button on upper Left on keyboard deck
HP/Compaq (General Newer models) - Button on lower Left below keyboard
Compaq (General) Press and hold the antenna-button on the upper section of your keyboard
- Compaq Armada Services - No Built-in Wireless for this model
Compaq Pavilion ZX5190 - Wireless switch is on the keypad, slightly separate from the keys. It has a wireless symbol on it.
Compaq Presario - Button on the Back
Compaq - Presario C304NR - Button on upper right above keyboard deck, Blue is enabled
Compaq Presario CQ Series - Button above the keyboard (antenna icon on button) next to power.
**Compaq Presario CQ50-107NR Button above keyboard (antenna icon on button) next to power.
Compaq Presario M2000 - Button above the keyboard (antenna icon on button)
HP/Compaq 6910p Notebook PC above keyboard to left, 2 buttons to the right of the power button.
(Wireless on/off LED is on the lower left. left of power/standby light.)
HP 600 - Button on lower Left below keyboard
HP Elite Book 6930P - Button above the keyboard (antenna icon on button)
HP G60-445DX - Above keyboard deck next to the power button
HP NC4000/4010 - Button above Keyboard
HP NC4220 - Button on Left Side of Laptop Near USB Port
HP NC6000/6220 - Button above Keyboard
HP NX6125 - Button above Keyboard
HP NX9010 - Button on Front side of Laptop
HP Omnibook 6200 - Button on Left side of Laptop
* Any wireless connectivity for this model will be via a third part wireless adapter, that may require additional software/configuration
HP Pavilion 7124 - above the keyboard, next to power button (orange, not connected, blue connected)
HP Pavillion DV2-1030 - Wireless on/off button located next to the power button.
HP Pavilion dv4-1435dx - press lighted WiFi icon upper left above keyboard deck.
HP Pavilion dv6 -Above the keyboard to right of the the volume control.
HP Pavilion dv6000 - Front bottom of the laptop, slides to right to enable.
HP Pavilion dv9260nr - right front, labeled "Wireless"
Blue connected, Red not connected.
** Compaq Presario CQ50-107NR Has a lighted button below space bar that turns the touch pad on/off.
IBM/LENOVO
IBM General - Some models have the wireless slide button on the side of the laptop.
IBM DV series - use the antenna-like button found on the upper section of your keyboard.
IBM R40 - Use the Fn+F5 key-combo.
IBM Thinkpad (General) - Most have software switch or button on Left hand side.
IBM Thinkpad (model not further identified) wireless switch on Front edge of case.
IBM T43/X32 - Fn+F5 -Click "Turn On"
IBM ZD series use the antenna-like button just below the “Lock” key.
Lenovo - button on the front
On most models, Fn+F5 opens the menu to display the wireless radio status
Lenovo T-60/61 - Slide button on the front of the laptop
Lenovo T500 - Slide button on the front of the laptop
Lenovo X61 - Front edge on the bottom half of the clam shell, to the right of center and facing somewhat downward as the bezel is beveled there.
MEDION
General - Fn+F1 or Fn+F2
Medion RAM 2000 - Fn+F2
MSI
General - Antenna-like button close to the power switch
U100 - Fn+F11
PACKARD BELL
Easynote B3600 use the Fn+F1
EasyNote E2/MV46/008 - Fn+F1
Easynote W7730, Antenna-like wireless button on the side of the laptop.
MZ36-U024 - Fn+F2
PHILIPS
General - Fn+F2 key combo
X54 - Antenna-like button close to the power switch.
SAMSUNG
General - Blue button found in the middle section of the keyboard
SHARP
General - Fn+F2
SONY
General - Software Switch, "Wireless Device Switch icon" in systems tray (Gray square labeled LAN)
(Many models use both a physical and a software switch)
VAIO (General) - Switch on front left
VAIO (General, not further identified) - Button (or slide switch) on the Front Left or Right side
VAIO - VGW-AW125T - Button on Front Left, below keyboard
VAIO - VGN-AX570G - Button on Front Left
VAIO - VGN-B2560 - On top left of Keyboard (light say's wireless when on)
TARGA
Companion 811 - Fn+F2
TOSHIBA
General - Fn+F5 or Fn+F8 or physical switch
A100-078 - Sliding button on the right-hand side of the laptop
Eqium Series - Slide switch on Front of Laptop
L355D-S7825 - Wireless Radio switch on the front edge of the case. It is below keyboard deck just left of center
Libretto Series - Slide switch on Left hand side
M1 & M2 - Switch on Left side of Laptop, towards Front
M40 and M70 - ON/OFF antenna-like button.
Portege & Qosmio Series - Slide switch on the Left hand side
Quantium Series - Slide switch on the Left hand side
R100 - Switch on Right side of Laptop
Satego Series - Slide Switch on the Right hand side
Satellite (General) - Physical switch on front of case, below keyboard deck, to left of center.
Fn+F8 shows whether wireless communications is enabled or disabled.)
Satellite (Model Not further identified) - On the Front of case, below keyboard deck, to left of center, (may require Fn+F8 to turn on)
Satellite 1400/1405 - (may/maynot have wireless) For models w/wireless radios, right side of case, below Floppy Drive.
Satellite L355D-S7825 - switch is on the front edge of the case, below keyboard just left of center.
Satellite A60-S1662 - Slide switch on right side between USB Port and Mic & headphone jacks
Satellite Pro - On the Side or Front
TE2000 - Switch on Left side of Laptop, by volume control
Tecra 2100 - Switch on Left side of Laptop, by volume control
Fn+F8 shows whether wireless communications is enabled or disabled.
NOTE: For Intel Proset Wireless (all manufactures); some implementations of the Intel Proset Wireless application
require the wirelesss card to be enabled through Intel Proset Wireless, even though windows is
managing the wireless connection.
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For MAC/Apple Based Computers
MAC OS X 10.4.x (Tiger & Earlier)
Open MAC Hard Drive > Applications > Utilities folder > Set the Configure pull-down to Airport.
Make sure the "Airport Power:" says On. (This is the status or your Mac's Airport card.)
If not, click "Turn Airport On" button.
MAC OS X 10.5.x (Leopard)
Click on the: Apple Icon > System Preferences > Network > Airport > Airport Power - On/Off
Airport power can also be toggled off/on from the WiFi icon on the top bar menu.
MAC OS X 10.6.x (Snow Leopard)*
AirPort menu signal strength: The Airport item in the top bar menu now includes signal strength for all available wireless networks, so you can see which access point has the best signal before selecting it.
*More information as the OS is released.
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This list is a compilation of information gathered both internally and externally by numerous individuals from a wide variety of sources. It is not all inclusive and is subject to change as more information is gathered on both older/newer, makes & models of computers and wireless radio equipment
If you have additional/updated information on the afore described equipment, and wish to have it added to the list, please contact the author: kchilder<at>mail.win.org
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