How do I disable wireless on my laptop? 1

[Mike Lewis]

Not sure if this is the best forum for my question. Apologies if not.

I have a laptop (IBM Thinkpad) running XP Pro SP2, with a built-in wireless adapter. It works fine when I am in my office, where it lets me connect to the wireless router.

My problem is that, when I am travelling, the machine seems to be constantly looking for wireless connections, and is forever popping up a message saying that a connection is available. This is very irritating.

It is a particular problem when I am on the train. Every time we pass through a station or past a group of buildings, it pops up that message.

As well as being distracting, I suspect that the constant polling for a wireless network is draining the battery (am I right about that?)

So my question is: Is there any way to temporarily disable the wireless adapter? I don't want to do without permanently, as I do use the wireless network in the office. I'd just like a simple way of toggling it on and off.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

My Visual FoxPro site: www.ml-consult.co.uk

 

[HughLerwill]

1. There may be a key on your keyboard (with a little blue radio mast on it if it's a Dell) which will toggle WiFi on and off. Or ...

2. Create a Desktop Shortcut with Target C:\Windows\System32\ncpa.cpl . Double click the Shortcut and rightclick/ disable the Wireless Connection in the Network Connections window.

 

[Mike Lewis]

HughLerwill,

That's exactly what I was looking for. My laptop doesn't have a button like the one you mentioned, but creating the desktop shortcut was the work of a moment. I can now toggle the setting in just a couple of clicks.

Many thanks. Deserves a star.

Mike


__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

My Visual FoxPro site: www.ml-consult.co.uk