switch off laptop wireless antenna (windows xp pro)

[Loane Sharp]

Hi there

I use Windows XP to manage my wireless LAN connections (View available
wireless connections > Change advanced settings > Wireless networks > Use
Windows to configure my wireless network settings (checked)).

My wireless antenna is always on and I notice that I can get an extra 25
minutes out of my laptop battery if I disable the wireless antenna.

Is there an easy way to switch the antenna on/off, ie. without having to
disable it each time?

Best regards
Loane

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP, IE/OE]

That depends on the laptop. I had a Toshiba with a physical switch.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP, IE/OE
Please respond in Newsgroup. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

 

[Tom Porterfield]

I use Windows XP to manage my wireless LAN connections (View available
wireless connections > Change advanced settings > Wireless networks > Use
Windows to configure my wireless network settings (checked)).

My wireless antenna is always on and I notice that I can get an extra 25
minutes out of my laptop battery if I disable the wireless antenna.

Is there an easy way to switch the antenna on/off, ie. without having to
disable it each time?

What type of laptop? What type of wireless antenna? My Dell laptop
includes a small utility application that can toggle the wireless
antenna easily. I can also configure it to turn the antenna on/off
based by clicking a certain key sequence on the keyboard. You would
need to consult the manual that came with your laptop and/or wireless
card. If you post details on exactly what you have, someone here may be
familiar with the brand you own and can provide the info if you do not
have the manual.
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP Windows
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.

 

[pcbutts1]

From the control panel Select network connections. Right click on your
wireless connection and choose create shortcut. Use the shortcut on your
desktop to Enable or disable the wireless by right clicking on it.

--


The best live web video on the internet http://www.seedsv.com/webdemo.htm
NEW Embedded system W/Linux. We now sell DVR cards.
See it all at http://www.seedsv.com/products.htm
Sharpvision simply the best http://www.seedsv.com

 

[Guest]

From the control panel Select network connections. Right click on your
wireless connection and choose create shortcut. Use the shortcut on your
desktop to Enable or disable the wireless by right clicking on it.

Does that turn off power to the wireless adapter though, or just tell XP not to
use the connection...

Bill

 

[Test User]

Does that turn off power to the wireless adapter though, or just tell XP not to
use the connection...

Bill

It disables the adapter, which should prevent it from drawing excessive
power. It'll be pretty quick for you to test how much difference it maks
to the battery life.

HTH
-pk

 

[pcbutts1]

It disables it, prevents it from seeking a signal from access points.

--


The best live web video on the internet http://www.seedsv.com/webdemo.htm
NEW Embedded system W/Linux. We now sell DVR cards.
See it all at http://www.seedsv.com/products.htm
Sharpvision simply the best http://www.seedsv.com