laptop wi fi enabled

[colinstain]

just bought the kids a new laptop wi fi enabled. on wanadoo wireless broadband which is very secure but the only way i can access the internet is with a network card swingin on a usb cable protruding from the laptop. it keeps prompting to switch on network card but how? i have disabled and enabled been through set up network with a fine toothcomb but always get back to "switch it on". in network settings it is active and fully installed with drivers but it wont connect. also tried wanadoo third party connections and that stops at switch it on too.frustrating isnt the word.....
any suggestions would be appreciated :curse:

[amphi66]

Many laptops have a mechanical hardware switch on the outside of the case that will "turn on" the wireless adapter. Probably has an LED next to it. Can't tell you exactly where it is located w/o manufacturer/model/etc.

Goodluck --LarryS

[z1p]

I'm not clear as to what is happening. Does it work at all?
Check the properties for the network device under power management and make sure that 'allow computer to turn off this device to save power' is NOT checked.