Turn on/off wireless card problem

drunkenhopfrog · 30th June 2009

My wife has a Gateway Laptop with Marvell Topdog wireless card.

Gateway M1617
AMD 64x2
2 G
2 RAM
32 Bit

My wife dropped the laptop and the wireless stopped working.

I tried the key stroke activation and the switch on the side of the computer. Neither work to turn it on, though device manger recognizes the card as being installed correctly.

My guess is the impact of the drop loosened the already badly designed switch and knocked it to the off position.

If there an easy way to test if my guess is correct?

It's unlikely, but is there any software that will force wireless on?

If it is a repair situation, does anyone know of a good visual guide for the repair? I'm fair with these things, but I've never dealt with laptop hardware repair before.

Thanks in advance.

DarthOdor · 1st July 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by drunkenhopfrog

My wife has a Gateway Laptop with Marvell Topdog wireless card.

.... USB wireless adapter - Priceless.

drunkenhopfrog · 1st July 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by drunkenhopfrog

My wife has a Gateway Laptop with Marvell Topdog wireless card.

.... USB wireless adapter - Priceless.

Yah, have one, that's what we're using now. having the little bugger sticking out 2.5 inches is just begging for it to get knocked to heck. Kinda a shame when there is a fine internal card that just needs to be turned back on.

Thanks for your help though!

**mattman** · 1st July 2009

Look through the downloads for your model at the Gateway website. There might be a service manual available.

There might be some instructions at enthusiasts' websites.

Try uninstalling (all) the network controllers in Device Manager.

My Lenovo has an on/off switch, but also a function key and the wireless can also be turned on or off by software. So check those possibilities.

Matt

**TonyT** · 2nd July 2009

You should be able to access the card from a panel on bottom of the laptop. It's possible the antenna connecters popped off.