Wireless connection problem - help!!

[Freckle]

DS1 has a laptop which has inbuilt wireless connection capability. There is a switch on the front of the laptop to turn this on and off. I have set up the laptop so that he can connect to the internet via my broadband service. All well and good.

However, yesterday his laptop stopped connecting and when we checked why we got a message saying that his wireless connection capability was switched off and to either switch this on using the switch mentioned above or by using a function key combination. Now the switch has not been turned off, although I have tried turning it off and on again, just in case, with no joy.

Does anyone know what keys I need to use to turn this on again?? The laptop is less than a month old so I'm not very happy about this and really don't want to have to start chasing around getting it fixed. TIA

Has it been disabled?

Try Start - Connect to - Show Connections (this is XP but I think Vista is the same if that's what you have) Does it show Wireless Network Connection? What does it say underneath?

Try right clicking and enable if it says disabled.

We have Vista and, when I click on Connect To, it comes up with a screen saying Windows cannot find any networks.

There is apparently a function key combination I can use, but I can't find the instruction book - and the online version doesn't give this information. It's a Sony Vaio if that's any help.

ds1 has Vista - I'll go look at his

have you checked that your router is working (is your computer wired or wireless?).

If you cannot connect wirelessly with your computer, or if you don't know, then reboot the router (there should be a little button on the back of the router that you push with an unfurled paperclip or pin- you need to hold it down for at least 10 secs)

The router is working as the boys managed to connect via their Wii yesterday. Would connecting the Wii through the same router have somehow disconnected or disabled the laptop? I can't see how but am willing to believe anything at the moment!

OK - on that screen where it shows no connections, is there 'Open Network and Sharing Center' at the bottom. Click on it and then on Manage Network Connections on the right of the pane.

reboot anyway, if it was working yesterday, it doesn't mean it's working today.

(I have found this out through bitter experience having got through 4 different routers in the space of 3 months. Top tip don't buy Netgear- they're great when they work, but the customer support is a JOKE.)

Are you connected through the router now on the computer you're using?

OK I've done that and it shows my network connection (i.e. my wireless connection), but I think the wireless capability must have been disabled somehow. How do I enable it again?

If it's showing disabled right click and there should be an enable option.

That's just it, it isn't showing disabled on the network connection, but I keep being told that I don't have any wireless connection capability. It's so frustrating as it was working fine yesterday.

Is the laptop in power saving mode? Sometimes that switches off the wireless card?

IF you right click what options do you get.

No, it's not in power saving mode. I'm wondering if DS1 accidentally hit the function key combination thereby switching off the wireless card. If I could find what that combination is, I could see if I could switch it back on again.

I've left a message on the Club Vaio site, but so far no answers.

Thanks for your help anyway.

I should add that the light which comes on when the wireless connection is working is flashing intermittently.

What make is the router? Have you got a number for the helpdesk?

I'm not clear if you are wired or wireless at the moment....your internet connection is clearly working, but if you are using a wired computer, then the wireless bit of your router could be up the spout. I'm not much of a geek but this has happened to me in the last couple of weeks- could connect wired, but not wirelessly, problem was solved by buying a new router!

The router is fine as the Wii is still connecting through it. It is clearly the laptop's connectivity which is the problem.

If you go into 'Tools' then 'internet options' then 'connections' is the 'never dial a connection' thingy checked? If not it will be trying to use dial up and over riding the wireless thingy. (apologies for all the 'things', am not very technical )

I think the function key thingy is FN and F2

That should bring up a tool bar that shows the wireless connection.

I don't have an FN key. Only F1 through to F12.

The FN key is down by the 'cntrl' key, bottom left, blue lettering, you should have one.

Yes, sorry, found it now. Was looking at the top row. Will give it a go. Thanks.

No, didn't work. Any other suggestions???

Is it just the laptop on the wireless?

Who is the broadband supplier?

Can you still get internet access using the cable?

Yes, just the laptop, although the boys did manage to connect up their Wii too, but that's not on all the time. I've tried connecting during the day when the boys are at school and the Wii is turned off and it's the same message - wireless connection capability turned off.