Looking for some computer help

[CptnBlues63]

I'm not familiar with that model (my laptop cert's were IBM and Toshiba) but things I would check aside from the obvious (the wireless switch is in the On position - providing it actually has one):

1) Open Device Manager (Windows Key + Pause/Break key to open System Applet >> click on "Hardware Tab" ->>click on Device Manager) and check to ensure the wireless interface is working properly in there. If it has an exclamation mark, there's a problem and at this point you should go to Step 4 and try it.

2) If it shows the interface is working properly according to DM, I would next ensure the wired interface (or interfaces if it has more than one) are disabled. Go to: Start >> Settings >> Network Connections and right click on the wired interface (usually "Local Area Connection") and select "Disable" from the menu that comes up. If it starts working properly, you're done.

3) If that didn't fix it, check on HP's site for updated drivers for the device. You'll need the model number off the bottom for sure for this. If there are updated drivers, download and install them.

4) If updated drivers don't fix it (or there aren't any newer drivers) you may want to try uninstalling the device itself in Device Manager. To do so, open DM and find your wireless network interface again and this time right click on it and select "Uninstall" and reboot. Windows should "find" the device upon bootup and reload it.

5) If none of the above get it working properly the last thing I can think of trying is to unistall, then reinstall the TCP/IP stack on the device itself. To do this, go back to Network Connections (Start >> Settings >>Network Connections) and on the wireless connection right click and select "Properties" from the menu that comes up. In the window that opens scroll down to "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" and click on it to highlight it and select uninstall. Reboot, go back into the properties for the wireless interface and then reinstall the same TCP/IP Stack. Reboot again and see if it doesn't start working.

If none of the above works, the interface itself is either broken, or you'll need to take the unit in to HP to be fixed. If it's not under warranty, it's likely not worth it. It would probably be cheaper to buy a PCMCIA wireless ethernet adapter for the unit (providing it has a PCMCIA slot or two).

[mail man]

Capt, thanks for the info, I am going to check it out tomorrow, and I will let you know what, if anything, I find out.

Cinda, just to let you know, I tried the coathanger and hand in neighbors drink, and all I got from it was a free ride with a backwards sweater. the sweater was real nice, but it kind of hindered my typing.

And, I agree, I am trying to get this going so I can smoke while on a e-herf.

[Mangyrat]

If you cant get the wireless to work you can always get one of the cheap USB wifi cards.

[Shelby07]

I haven't seen anyone suggest this yet. Take a look at your function keys (top row) and look for an icon that looks like a triangular tower with a dot on top and radio signals emanating from the dot. If you have one, hold the function key down (fn) and press it. It will toggle your network connection on and off. Look for a network light somewhere on your laptop. It should be lit.

Good luck.

[cinda]

hummmmm never new that was there mine is on f8 kewl!