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Dell Inspiron wireless problem

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  • 30-10-2019 3:02am
    #1
    sligojoek
    Registered Users Posts: 25,420 ✭✭✭✭


    I'm running a Dell Inspiron 1545 Windows 7 made about 2009.

    I normally use it hardwired to the router but today I plugged out the network cable and tried to turn on wireless to set up a wifi extender. Normally this is done by pressing the F2 key and the aerial icon comes up and I'm on wifi. Today when I pressed F2 nothing happened. I added an external keyboard and it won't work with that either. I also tried Shift, CTRL and Fn with F2 but nothing.

    Is there a backdoor route I can take to turn it on or would the wifi workings be giving trouble otherwise?

    PS I got the extender sorted with a phone but I'd still like to get the wifi working on the laptop anyway.


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    #2
    FanadMan
    Registered Users Posts: 3,820 ✭✭✭FanadMan


    Isn't wireless Fn+F2 on most Dells? Writing this on a Dell Inspiron N5110 with Windows 7.....and a USB keyboard.

    Only way I can switch wifi on/off is with Fn+F2, so need to use the main keyboard.


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    #3
    sligojoek
    Registered Users Posts: 25,420 ✭✭✭✭sligojoek


    FanadMan wrote: »
    Isn't wireless Fn+F2 on most Dells? Writing this on a Dell Inspiron N5110 with Windows 7.....and a USB keyboard.

    Only way I can switch wifi on/off is with Fn+F2, so need to use the main keyboard.

    Thanks FM. up to two weeks ago It was just the F2 button and no Fn.


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    #4
    FanadMan
    Registered Users Posts: 3,820 ✭✭✭FanadMan


    sligojoek wrote: »
    Thanks FM. up to two weeks ago It was just the F2 button and no Fn.

    Never known a laptop to not use Fn for things like wifi (or volume or brightness etc) when combined with Fkeys. Maybe you had a stuck Fn before :D

    Drunk question.....did Fn+F2 work?


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    #5
    johnnybmac
    Closed Accounts Posts: 226 ✭✭johnnybmac


    You can actually change the function key behaviour setting in a lot of BIOSs which would mean only having to press the "F" keys to access their function without the need for pressing Fn
    ximg_565e2852b61b6.jpg.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.9ut75zGc2e.jpg


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    #6
    sligojoek
    Registered Users Posts: 25,420 ✭✭✭✭sligojoek


    Just getting back on this laptop now. Still no luck. I've tried it with and without the Fn key.


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    #7
    coylemj
    Registered Users Posts: 25,445 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    OP, I have a 2010 Lenovo laptop, there is a switch on the side of the machine which disables all radio communication in case you're in a hostile (hacker) environment. The onboard Wi-Fi periodically switches itself off as if I had manually flipped that switch so I bought a wi-fi USB stick for about €20 in Tesco. It's not worth going to a repair shop if your machine is that old.

    This is the type of gadget you need .....

    https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/adapter/archer-t2u/


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