Dropped laptop won't connect anymore

Hi folks,

My name is Mike Hannah. I just registered and have a problem I'd like to ask for some help with.

I bought a used Dell Latitude laptop a few weeks ago to use on a wireless network at my home. I just had major back surgery and wanted to have a way to access the internet from my bed (computer is downstairs in the den).

I bought a wireless router and used a wireless adapter in the cardbus slot and had it working fine for a few days. I accidently let it fall off of the bed one day and I haven't been able to connect to the network since. The system is not seeing the wireless adapter anymore.

Since it fell on the side where the adapter is installed into the cardbus slot I thought it might have damaged the adapter. I bought a new adapter but it had no effect- the system still doesn't see the adapter. I looked into the cardbus slot with a flashlight and can't see any damage. All the pins appear to be straight and the card slides in normally.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I might try to see if I can fix the problem. I've worked on the internal components of a desktop before adding memory, replacing cards or installing drives etc. I've never owned a laptop before so I've never seen the inside of one. I'm very mechanically adapt but not so much when it comes to electronics. Could it possibly just be that something has come unplugged or needs to be re-seated in its socket?

If I knew there was a chance I might be able to just replace a connection or wiggle a card in its socket to fix it I'd be willing to take it apart. If you experienced folks think it's more serious than that then I'll take it in for repair. I really don't have any extra money right now since I'm on sick leave and only get about 40% of my regular pay.

Any comments, tips or suggestions will be very much appreciated.

Thanks, Mike Hannah

 

Thanks for the suggestion Tony. I'm not familiar with the USB adapters at all. Would it work the same as the card adapter I have now? Does it use WPA security? Would it just plug in and stick out the back of the laptop from the USB port or do they have a wire & plug configuration?

I'd definitely consider a USB adapter. I would hope it works pretty much the same way and configures about the same. I had a tough time getting the wireless card and router configured correctly.

Thanks, Mike

 

A USB Wifi adapter will support WPA.

They plug directly into your USB port, but you can put them on the end of a USB cable if that suits you better