On Wed, November 21, 2007 9:50 pm, Chris Mauricio wrote: > > Going out on a limb here- how about hardware issue?
I have long suspected exactly that. > > Having repaired any number of laptops, the built in wireless antennas are > located behind the display. you remove the rubber bumpers from the bezel > surrounding the screen, remove the exposed screws and pop off the bezel to > reveal the metal frame supporting the LCD display underneath. There are > usually 6 or 8 screws on the sides of the metal frame, 3 to 4 per side - > removing these allows you to tilt out the LCD display. Behind that is 2 > thin > wires taped( !! ) to the backside of the lid's plastic case. Usually, they > are separated at 45 degree angles, starting from the bottom center > pointing > out towards the top corners of the display, alternately there is only one > going from bottom corner to opposite top corner or forming a figure "S". > If > one or both wires have become unstuck and fallen down behind the display, > this would seriously impact the ability of the laptop to pick up a signal. > Another place to check is at the card itself. Different brands have > different > locations, but some still use the mini-pci wireless that has a cover over > it > on the botom of the laptop. If so, remove the cover, unseat the card and > check the connection of the wire antenna. It's usually a simple pop in > connection relying on friction to keep it in place. Poor design but there > you > go. If it came loose, that could be your problem. If you don't have the > access panel to the min-PCI card, you may have to go deeper, usually > removing > the keyboard. google or check the manufacturers home page for a blow-up > parts > diagram for that model. There is a wrinkle here. The machine is under 3-yr P&L repair contract w/ Fry's. Because it can do line of sight w/ no obstructions, they think it works just fine. I can check the PCI card connection, but if I disassemble the screen and leave any traces, I'll void that contract. Too big a risk for me. So I can check on the low end at the card connection, but if that isn't it, I have to get Fry's to check behind the screen ... to which I tell myself, "fat chance." > > hth > > It helps more than you can know. -- Lan Barnes SCM Analyst Linux Guy Tcl/Tk Enthusiast Biodiesel Brewer -- [email protected] http://www.kernel-panic.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/kplug-list
