Wireless adapter not working on Sony laptop

[zylander]

The laptop is a Sony Vaio, not sure on the exact model number, I can get that later, its about a year old. The laptop has a switch on the side to turn the wireless adapter on and off. The switch is on but the computer still thinks the adapter is off. It does not see any wireless networks and if I click diagnose, it says that wireless capability is turned off.

The router works and the computer will work if I plug it directly into the router, but i cant get the wireless adapter to work. Any ideas?

 

[montag451]

Go to Control panel, administrative tools, services.

See if 'Wireless Zero Configuration' is set to disabled. If it is, then right click it and turn it to automatic.
Likewise, if it is set to automatic, then disable it.
Some internal wifi gadgets prefer to not use WZC.

 

[robisbell]

in the bios check to see which option controls the wifi adapter.

 

[zylander]

Ok Ill try out both tonight when I get a chance to see the laptop again. I forgot to mention; the laptop was working just fine on sunday and then all of the sudden the wireless cut out in the middle of use.

 

[Fardringle]

Also, check the properties of the wireless adapter in the Device Manager. Many wireless drivers have an option there (usually on the Advanced tab) to enable or disable the radio function of the adapter. Make sure it is enabled. In some systems, the switch/button on the case will toggle this setting automatically, but I've seen quite a few that don't.

 

[zylander]

I figured it out. Sony has some stupid network admin software that has to enable the wireless adapter. It normally enables it automatically but this time it didnt.