Wireless Switch My laptop is a Presario2100 (not a 2100T). I have had it for just over three years. Naturally, 2 months after the warranty ran out, something stopped working on my computer. My wireless switch will not turn on. It probably isn't a card problem, because it will not even turn on enough to tell me whether or not it senses wireless networks. Instead, the switch itself seems to be broken because I push the button on the front right corner, and absolutely nothing happens. Is there a way to turn on wireless without the hard switch? Or is there something I can do to fix the switch? I have an HP pavilion zx5000. The wireless switch does not work.

So, what is your question?

There is nobody on FIXYA that "officially" speaks for either HP or their COMPAQ subsidiary.

Buy the "three-year-extended-warranty" from HP before the "standard" warranty expires.

Review your "backup" strategy, to eliminate/minimize any "data" loss that you might experience when each laptop fails.

Plug in a usb keyboard into it till you resolve the issue.

Jitendra, If the warranty of the motherboard is three years and it was bought a little over two years back then the warranty still stands. You must insist on the dealer replacing the MB or repair it at least. Do not take his word and come to Fixya. We will help you but, then the warranty may become null and void. Think about it. The dealer will always want to not see you again for this motherboard. But, please remind him of three yrs warranty. If it does not work the you are welcome to ask us for solutions and we will be glad to help you.

Instead of "Save" files, use the "Save As" option.

Whenever that happens to me, at least to the mouse pad I restart my laptop and it fixes it...
If not then perhaps it's a hardware or software problem, maybe you could reinstall XP over again, or you could, as a last resort crack it open and see what's goin' on inside or have someone check it out for you (I wouldn't go that far though).

This may be a battery power monitor issue. Try disabling the "Mircosoft ACPI- Compliant Control Method Battery" device. This is located in Control Panel-->System-->Hardware Tab-->Device Manager-->Batteries. Had similar problem with 2 Acer Aspire series laptops (diff models). 2 and 3 year old. Original batteries (both still hold charges for 1.5 hrs of normal usage). Running WinXP, one with SP2 and other had SP3. Both came in the last month with slow jerky TPAD function and nearly non responsive keyboard access. Checked the usual; virus, spyware, hijacking, driver conflict etc. Cloned drive and factory installed..still same problem with kb & mouse. However an external USB keyboard and mouse functioned normally (no lag). Noticed with Battery removed kb & mouse was normal. Finally found disabling ACPI control battery device resolved this issue while allowing laptop to run on either battery or AC.

the cmos battery is faulty....use your warranty to get it fixed since it is only 3 months old

If you have the 3 red lights of death issue or something like it, Microsoft is covering repairs for 3 years from purchase date

Did you try turning the Radio Button on. I had the same problem for awhile until I realized the 1st Silver button on the Keyboard that turns on the Radio signal. Thats how you get the wireless capatability to work. Try that.

From your description I agree, its probably a damaged switch. I never recommend anyone taking apart a laptop unless they are a mechanical whiz, have experience with laptop disassembly or can afford to break it beyond using. As far as turning the built-in wireless card on without the switch there might be a way. I don?t have a Compaq laptop to experiment with, however, my Dell Latitude BIOS settings has a setting to automatically turn on the wireless card at boot-up. Perhaps yours does too, during your laptops initial boot process get into your BIOS setup menu (press F2 or if that doesn?t work F10 keys). Look for an option relating to your built-in devices or wireless device. My Dell setting is fairly ovious: "Turn on wireless device". If you find a simliar option turn it on, reboot and look for the wireless adaptor. Another option may be to buy an inexpensive UPS wireless adaptor. You can pick them up on Ebay for around $30, not as spiffy as the built-in but probably a lot cheaper than paying a repair shop to fix a three year old laptop. Good luck.