Hi all,

My mum's laptop - a Lenovo G580 which she has not had for very long - has always run well with the internet until lunchtime today when she lost the connection. She waited utnil I got home to see if I could do anything about it but, despite trying various things, I have had no luck. If I use the Networking section of the Control Panel to try and take steps to establish a connection it simply comes back with "Cannot detect network hardware". The laptop is running Windows 8.

We have several other devices in the house on the same network and connected to the same hub: they are all working OK.

There is no external switch to turn the networking on or off (AFAIK). Any ideas as to what might be wrong here? My Mum needs the internet on that laptop as she is doing an O.U course and so doesn't really want to have to put the laptop in for fixing.

Thanks.

Dave

Edited 15 May, 201313 yr by DaveHarries

If there is no external switch, then there will be a software switch. Usually a combination of FN + another key, look for a key with a picture of a blue aerial and press FN + this key and see what happens.

Oddly enough it has now come back by itself! No idea what did that.

Dave

Sometimes the firmware falls over and takes a rest - or it might be as above - she accidentally hit a keyboard short-cut. There WILL be a way top switch the wireless device on/off as it is often used to extend battery life when you dont need a wifi connection.

It can also be a sign the wifi module is faulty or loose - assuming the module is plugged into an internal port, my Compaq's wifi module died after throwing similar wobblies several times (while in Paris); so keep that in mind if it happens again.

It's not been turned off in the power options?. The wi-fi can be set to turn off if the power levels are low to extend battery life.

Oddly enough it has now come back by itself! No idea what did that.

Dave

Fairy dust.