How to disable wifi switch on Sony vaio Laptop

manosspan

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Apr 2, 2013
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After 4 years of use my wifi switch isn't working properly. You must put in a very very very specific position in order to keep the wireless on. if you by mistake touch it(while writing :p) it turns off :(

My model is Sony vaio vgn-fe21m with win7.Is there a way to overdrive it and keep it always on?
 
My Sony vaio does not have a mechanical switch, it is activated on/off via their smart network app.
Perhaps this design is a fix for chronic switch problems.

Can the switch be replaced? Contact Sony support to see if you can order the part.
It is probably plugged in, not soldered.

Or, as a fix, do what you need to get the switch in a position that you want so that it is on.
Then, without moving anything drop a spot of epoxy on it to secure it in that position.
 

manosspan

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Apr 2, 2013
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Bios bypass was not an option. So I opened it and removed the switch cover and set the switch's black plastic to on(right).

Problem fixed!! the hard way. It was 3 minutes job :) I thought I could do it without opening my laptop but this was the easiest way.
 

jspires

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May 24, 2013
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I have been having the sae problem after using the laptop for several years now. The switch just does not work, occasionally it will flick on so think or though it must be a loose wire. I have done everything possible using the support groups. Checked Device Manager, looked for driver updates, conflicts etc. but it just makes no connection.

Manosspan, do you mean simply remove the front of the switch or go into the machine? Thanks
 

manosspan

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Apr 2, 2013
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First of all I am sorry for the delay.I haven't sing in and couldn't notice your new post to this thread.

Well yes. This is what I did.I removed the plastic cover of the switch carefully and then with a piece o parer I moved the inside switch to ON.
Since then it hasn't switched off again.

Hope I helped
 

JSavi

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Dec 22, 2009
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Okey guys. What if I broke this black plastic...? How does this switch work? Is it an optocoupler? Reflexive or transmitive? Any guess how to fix this?
I wish I made it somehow alwayson.
 

krm27

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Jul 28, 2014
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There's a fix on the internet for that involves taping over one prong of the wireless card on the motherboard, and thus blocking the "turn off" signal that comes from the wifi switch, so you get wifi always on (or at least it'll think the switch is always on). Here:

http://richarddouglasdenton.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/how-to-bypass-a-laptop-wireless-switch/

Ken