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F77d34b1474321009db4b5b08b9a71c5

Summary
Number:	KB0000023	Workflow:	draft
Knowledge Base:	IT	Published:
Category:	Suppliers / Dell
Author:	Wayne Webb
Valid to:	2100-01-01
Short description:	Enable/Disable Wireless Laptop Connections\n\t\t

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Enable/Disable Wireless Laptop Connections

Dell Quickset Utility
On a Dell laptop running the latest versions of Quickset and the Intel drivers (downloadable from support.dell.com), perform the following steps:

• Launch the Quickset utility by double-clicking the Quickset icon in the system tray.
• Click on Location Profiler in the upper left.
• Click Modify Settings on the left side in the Quickset Location Profiler window
• Select the box Disable Wi-Fi until the Wired connection is terminated
• Click Save at the bottom of the window.

This can be very useful to those who plug into an Ethernet port so they don't have to manually disable wireless. It also fixes a few problems where Windows might try to use both network interfaces simultaneously. Note: Sometimes it appears that the "Location Profiler" menu option is not present. If this is the case, reinstall Quickset, reboot, then re-install the Dell drivers for wireless and reboot again. This seems to correct the issue.

Windows Computers; Manual Method

• Right-click your wireless icon in the system tray and select View Available Wireless Networks
• Double-click on the company's wireless connection to disconnect
• Click Yes when prompted to disconnect

--OR-- (if you do not see the wireless icon in your system tray)

• Click on the Start button
• Pull up to Connect To --> Show All Connections (in Windows 2000 or XP using the classic interface, pull up toSettings and select Network Connections)
• Right-click on the Wireless Network Connection and select View Available Wireless Networks. Double-click on the company's wireless connection to disconnect
• Click Yes when prompted to disconnect

These procedures leave the wireless device active, and the wireless icon viewable in the system tray with a red X on it, to easily connect when desired.

Mac OS X Computers; Manual Method
If you Macintosh does not automatically detect the wired network when you plug in an Ethernet cable:

• From the Apple menu select System Preferences
• Click the Network icon
• From the drop down menu select Built-in Ethernet (wired), or Airport (wireless), as needed

--OR--
Click on the signal strength indicator in the upper right corner of your screen and select nostrings from the menu.

How to turn off network bridging and Internet connection sharing
Network instability can also be caused if either Network Bridging or Internet Connection Sharing are turned on within your system preferences. When your computer is configured for network bridging or Internet Connection Sharing, it can cause looping of network traffic.

Windows Vista

• Click on the Start button
• Click on Control Panel and choose Network and Sharing Center
• On the left hand side of the page select Manage network connections from the Tasks list
• In the Network Connections window, right-click on an active Ethernet connection (Local Area Connection). Make sure Bridge Connections is not selected.

Windows XP Pro

• Click on the Start button
• Pull up to Connect To --> Show All Connections (if using the classic interface, pull up to Settings and selectNetwork Connections)
• In the Network Connections window, right-click on an active Ethernet connection (Local Area Connection). Make sure Bridge Connections is not selected.

Windows 2000

• Click on the Start button
• Pull up to Settings and select Network Connections
• Right-click on an active Ethernet connection (Local Area Connection). On the Connection Properties screen, select the Sharing tab.
• Under Shared Access, make sure Enable Internet Connection Sharing for this connection is not selected, then click OK.

Mac OS X

• From the Apple menu, select to System Preference
• Under Internet & Network, click Sharing, then click the Internet tab.
• Internet Sharing Off must be displayed at the top of the tab. If you see Internet Sharing On, click Stop to disable it.