Question on Intel PRO/wireless 2200BG

I've been having trouble for the past 6 months with my Microtel laptop with 2200BG installed. No matter what I try, it will not allow me to turn the radio to on. I've tried different drivers, and still nothing. As soon as I throw my Linksys card in, it detects my wireless network and I'm good to go (using my linksys card)

I just recently sent the card back to Microtel thinking it was defective, but the new one is doing the same thing. I noticed when I installed the new card, it had 2 dimples on the back for wires to connect too. One is labeled main, and the other is aux. Should there be a wire going to both of these? There is only wire, and I'm wondering if this is the problem. I've tried connecting to both of them, and still can't get it to turn on. I'm just wondering if maybe this is a defect from the manufacturer and I'm not going crazy afterall.

 

I hear usually its some sorta hardware switch at the back or combination of keyboard keys...

 

intel has a brief blurb on the HW switch at http://support.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/cs-020275.htm

i believe I have no hw sw to worry about, but my Rx radio signal is less than -71dbm. I have no ext. wires connected to the "main & aux" Greg refers to. Greg, did you mean to write: "There is only ONE wire, and I'm wondering if this is the problem."? if so is the one wire part of or connected directly to your mini-pci cover plate?

thanks for any feedback. cheers and good luck all. tori

 

I talked to a tech person, and he said there should only be 1 wire, and it should be connected to the main terminal on the card. I've tried this, and still no dice. They have offered for me to return the laptop to them seeing this may be internal problem and not something I would able to fix by myself.

I'm debating if it's even worth the hassle to be sent it. It would be nice to not have to deal with inserting a network card when going online, but at what cost? The vost of mailing it back, time it will take to get it back, plus I assume the HD will probably be reformatted, etc... I'm thinking of just leaving as is, and ensure I do not purchase another laptop from them in the future, hahaha.

 

I have got exactly the same problem. I'm sure it's something to do with the laptop. Mine I bought from Tiny. My brother in law just bought one from Toshiba - both have the same shell though. Both have 2 different wireless cards (mine a Intel 2200bg, him a prism something or other).

Neither can see my wireless network. When I put in a belkin dongle into either laptop they both can see it.

There's gotta be some way we can turn the cards on.

 

Just answered my own question. Noticed a antenna type symbol above the F1 key on the laptop. Holding Fn and F1 key down turns it on. Hope yours is something similar.