hp wireless button changes airplane mode

Anonymous
2012-11-17T03:35:15+00:00

I just upgraded my 64 bit HP Pavilion g7 2010 nr to windows 8. now, whenever i try to use the wireless button (Fn + F12) it changes the airplane mode instead of wifi.

ive updated my wifi card drivers (Ralink RT5390) and and the HP wireless button driver as well

i can use ethernet, but im at school and its not always easy to find a ethernet port

theres no other way to get wifi on because the troubleshooter says to "make sure the switch is turned on"

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-01-04T07:19:12+00:00

    "...use the slider on Airplane mode to turn wireless back on. It's that simple." was what you said.  My slider turns Airplane Mode on and off.  Not wireless.  Wireless is not an option, it says "Wireless (off)"

    Do you understand what I have been saying?  The F12 button is amber.  Will not turn on.  No other place I have seen that will turn wireless on.  I have been using and building computers since 1985 ish and know how to plug in electrical appliances.  LOL

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-01-04T03:56:33+00:00

    You don't have a slider for airplane mode? That's odd. It's not an HP feature, it's s standard windows 8 feature. Sure you looking in the right place? Look here, this may help: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5355-airplane-mode-turn-off-windows-8-a.html

    I have a 3 year old Compaq with Win 7 also made by HP. They use an application that controls the Hp specific function key abilities, which can be uninstalled. Sadly, they didn't use that on the newer systems but bundled the functions in with the system somehow.

    Dont be too hard on HP just yet.. these configurations issues may be fixed yet.. I will keep looking and report what I find. Other than these issues I haven't had any major problems with my Compaq and Pavilion. They are budget systems and work well for the price. This HP Pavilion G7 laptop was 425.00 US dollars ( Best Buy) has an AMD A8 quad core, 8 gigabytes of Ram, 512 dedicated video ram but uses up to 4 gigabytes shared system ram for extra video power. 17.3 inch screen. It's my gaming laptop and plays Black Ops 2 and FarCry 3 ( the latest 3d games) on high settings with great frame rate. Other than that Windows 8 has some quirks due to the new user interface you need to get used to, but it works well if you can get past that.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-01-03T18:23:11+00:00

    If I open Windows Mobility Center, wireless does not appear.  I am convinced this is like you say, HP or Microsoft or combined blunder.  My F12 does not work other than Airplane mode switch.  There is no slider in Network Connections, etc.

    Could be BIOS, could be driver for F12.  In any case, I am weary after no HP solutions since October.  Trust me, NEVER will I buy HP products again.  Nothing.  Sick of it.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-01-03T18:00:19+00:00

    My wife reminded me sometimes it wont work if other network connections like Local Area Connections are active.. she says to disable all connections before you hit the troubleshooter.

    OR

    Try this.. I just found out its the best quick fix.. quicker than my post above.

    Go to the Network Connections icon in the task bar ( it's the icon with all the little bars)  and use the slider on Airplane mode to turn wireless back on. It's that simple.

    I still have a need to disable that button because I accidentally hit it now and then and it's annoying. Plus many games and apps that want to map to the F12 key can't do it because of this airplane mode function.  That's part of Windows 8 mobile features But many desktop users don't need or want a lot of the mobile features in a desktop OS.

    The first poster said, " I just upgraded my 64 bit HP Pavilion g7 2010 nr to windows 8. now, whenever i try to use the wireless button (Fn + F12) it changes the airplane mode instead of wifi."

    But this is really not the case. Airplane mode IS wifi.. and every other wifi connected device in your system.. it turns them all off quickly so you can be protected at airports and on the airplanes.. hence the name Airplane Mode. It makes sure Wifi and all other devices that are able to connect to any network absolutely cannot run. At least thats my understanding of this silly feature. Well, perhaps not silly if you need it but most desktop users don't.

    I have a HP Pavilion G7 laptop I use as a desktop machine. I don't know if this is a Microsoft blunder or HP or a combo of both but I wish they would give you the option to disable the functionality of F12 as it is now.

    From Control Panel, Windows Mobility Center does have a way to change the functionality of the F12 button but like me, this feature does not show up in Windows Mobility Center for some unknown reason. Look here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Using-Windows-Mobility-Center

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  5. Anonymous
    2013-01-03T14:33:40+00:00

    I followed your steps but mine comes up with "Troubleshooting couldn't identify the problem."  I did not get the "Turn on Wireless capability" prompt.

    Thanks for trying.  I agree HP needs to restore normal function to a huge group of product owners.  I am not happy with $1,000 invested in a laptop that does not perform normally.  I can spend a lot less to get a POS laptop.  LOL

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