Computing.Net - Wireless Disabled on IBM Laptop

Subject: Wireless Disabled on IBM Laptop

Original Message

Name: nightfawl (by ari33)
Date: January 28, 2008 at 05:38:37 Pacific
Subject: Wireless Disabled on IBM Laptop
OS: Windows 2000
CPU/Ram: Pentium
Model/Manufacturer: R52

Comment:

Got an IBM R52 laptop with what seems to be disabled wireless. Only hardware that is detected is the normal (wired) network card. Tried to detect new hardware and wireless adapter was not found. I think it has somehow been disabled. Please advise how to enable this device.
Thanks!

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Response Number 1

Name: Justin (by jck472002)
Date: January 28, 2008 at 05:55:39 Pacific
Subject: Wireless Disabled on IBM Laptop

Reply: (edit)

Are you sure it has a wireless NIC? If so some new laptops have a switch which disables the wireless card. This can be usually be found on front or sides. You could also check device manager and make sure the NIC is enabled.

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Response Number 2

Name: Jennifer SUMN
Date: January 28, 2008 at 05:56:54 Pacific
Subject: Wireless Disabled on IBM Laptop

Reply: (edit)

Have you checked the BIOS? Or confirmed that the computer you bought actually does have a wireless adapter? I would think there would be a spec sheet included in the packaging.
You could try installing the drivers:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/s...
Life's more painless for the brainless.

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Response Number 3

Name: Justin (by jck472002)
Date: January 28, 2008 at 06:04:54 Pacific
Subject: Wireless Disabled on IBM Laptop

Reply: (edit)

You should check the BIOS. Although it is extremely unlikely that the BIOS has it disabled.

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Response Number 4

Name: nightfawl (by ari33)
Date: January 28, 2008 at 06:18:34 Pacific
Subject: Wireless Disabled on IBM Laptop

Reply: (edit)

Thanks for the quick responses guys! This is a great site for support.
This laptop was originally a company owned and I think when it was imaged the wireless was disabled somehow. This model doesn't seem to have a switch. Device manager only has the normal NIC. I was thinking maybe its disabled in the BIOS as well, but wasn't sure which option to change in there.

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Response Number 5

Name: mattek
Date: January 28, 2008 at 14:20:25 Pacific
Subject: Wireless Disabled on IBM Laptop

Reply: (edit)

Not all r52's have the bluetooth-wireless option. If u got it, you will have a light for it located somewhere around the keyboard, looking up at you
toggle wireless press Fn+F5 key combo, the corresponding led should illuminate.
If there any "unknown devices?" in device manager it might be worth getting these downloaded and running:
ThinkPad Power Management driver
OnScreen Display utility
Wireless device drivers
it would be good to know if it was used docked, as it may been setup to use the lan devices in the dock station.
It would probably be worth rebuilding this 1 anyway...company's strip down the software & o.s. or do a minimum effort rebuild(xppro+office ).
install the drivers from the web site Jennifer mentioned above and see what happens i guess,
have a good 1 fella..
Pea.Ce.
tekmat

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Response Number 6

Name: mattek
Date: January 28, 2008 at 14:33:13 Pacific
Subject: Wireless Disabled on IBM Laptop

Reply: (edit)

Scrap all that about xp stuff i blabbed on about b4... win2000? win2k doesnt have wireless manager. you will have to install the wireless win2k driver and app from ibm to use the device on wireless networks......
w2k doesnt plug&play very well....
tekmat

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