Turning on wireless card makes laptop run slow

I'm trying to help a guy with a newish Dell laptop. The machine works fine most of the time, and can use wired internet okay. But if the wireless card it turned on (whether or not he's using it) the machine suddenly slows to an unbearable crawl. It seems to slow down just about all aspects of the computer, too--startup, shut down, opening applications (even non-internet ones), opening folders.

Sorry I don't have the exact model/type of Dell. It's running XP (service pack 1, I believe). The machine has a built-in switch on the case for turning the wireless card on and off. It used to work okay, but recently has been having this problem.

Anybody ever run across something like this before? Any ideas?

thanks,
Ross

 

Not a problem I'm familiar with but if you can provide specifics on PC/OS/card we can certainly do some searching.

One thought - XP SP2 is supposed to offer much better wireless support. It was a major enhancement area for the SP. I can't say first hand since I'm wired at work and at home but it would certainly be worth a try.