Sony VAIO K315Z 802.11g Wireless Problem Resolution

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

This is just a note to anyone trying to get Sony VAIO K315Z wireless
network connection going. After many frustrated hours, I discovered
that there is a switch on the front of the laptop, labelled "Wireless
LAN". If this is set to "Off", the the Wireless network is disabled.
Of course Windows XP does not tell you this!

Sounds basic and obvious I know, but the simplest things are the most
frustrating.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

On 13 Jan 2005 01:42:56 -0800, "neilgg" <neil.gg@secureness.co.uk>
wrote:

>Sounds basic and obvious I know, but the simplest things are the most
>frustrating.


U youngsters are just spoiled by the pretty Windows interface that
hides all the complexities, when we were using DOS... (wait, I sweared
I was never going to say that).

Can't blame XP, the switch is not a Microsoft invention, it's more of
a Sony's thing, I bet u a pairs of titanium racing roller blades that
it's mention on the Sony's manual.

Some of us would just have looked at the Device Manager and noted that
the WiFi card is not there and asked why not?

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Unfortunately it's not true on this laptop. Windows still showed the
"Wireless LAN" icon in the system tray. Clicking on this just reported
"No wireless networks found in range". I think the switch on the Sony
laptop must just take the power off of the radio circuitry, without
telling Windows.

The "idiot light" on this model is a very tiny, inconspicuous LED on
the switch itself. Even if you notice the LED, it doesn't help you
realise what the switch is for. The Sony manuals are useless. The
only mention of this switch is on a diagram and describes it as a
"Wireless LAN Switch" - without any further desciption!

Anyway, all's OK now. Works perfectly with a Netgear WGR614v4 router
so far. Range seems pretty good too - reports the fully bandwidth
throughout my house (although I haven't tested in in anger yet).

C.Joseph Drayton wrote:
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
>
> Hi Neil,
>
> I am not flaming or being a smart aleck. I just wanted to let you
> know that when the wireless lan is turned off, it doesn't exist as
> far as Windows is concerned so it doesn't KNOW it's there to tell
> you to turn it on.
>
> The hardware manufacturer should have put an idiot light where it
> can be EASILY seen on your computer. In my case, the idiot light is
> right above my numeric keypad (and to be honest I still forget to
> look at it sometimes when the wireless doesn't seem to be working
> <LOL> ).
>
> Ciao . . . C.Joseph
>
> That which a man buys too cheaply . . .
> He esteems too lightly
>
>
> neilgg wrote:
> > This is just a note to anyone trying to get Sony VAIO K315Z
wireless
> > network connection going. After many frustrated hours, I
discovered
> > that there is a switch on the front of the laptop, labelled
"Wireless
> > LAN". If this is set to "Off", the the Wireless network is
disabled.
> > Of course Windows XP does not tell you this!
> >
> > Sounds basic and obvious I know, but the simplest things are the
most
> > frustrating.
> >
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