hp wireless button changes airplane mode

I called HP yesterday and an Indian guy told me in a very broken English that HP doesn't support Windows 8 on our notebooks and that the solution to this problem was reverting to Windows 7. Great solution! He also said I have to call Microsoft and that maybe they can help me... Even better solution!

I've been trying to get into the BIOS hitting the F10 or Escape with no luck. How do you get into the BIOS? Do you have to hit the Function key + F10 or only F10? I tried both and none of them works.

My notebook is a Pavilion DV7 and one of my questions to the HP guy was what driver from their website I had to download. He didnt know. I think I have to download the Broadcom but just in case I installed also the Realtek and the Intel PROset Wireless tools. Could those other wireless drivers affect the F12 button?

The battery has their own drivers. It looks like Microsoft provided those drivers or AC adapters. Maybe those drivers are conflicting with the wireless driver?

I will eagerly join a class action suit versus HP for that attitude.  They certified that my DV7 laptop was tested and compatible.  I checked it thoroughly before upgrading to Win 8.  Plus, we were give a $15 price for Win 8 via HP/Microsoft. If you call back again, insist you talk to a supervisor.  Eventually you will get someone in the USA to talk to up the ladder.

I am wondering if the battery might be it.  Gotta be involved because removing it, etc is the only way I have found to get intermittent function from F12.

It amazes me at the crappy support HP provides via their uninformed "tech support" agents.  When I called a few weeks ago, the second time, the agent was totally unaware there was a problem.  I gave him a link to a thread with 400+ posts about this wireless button fiasco.  He agreed that it was probably a BIOS issue.

Another day of stupidity in HP supportland... with many to come I fear.

BTW Herman, you should tap F10 several times when the computer is first booting.  That should take you to BIOS.  F9 should get you to Default Settings...

Hey guys.. Good news.. (perhaps) I just got both a wireless button update and a bios update from the HP Support Assistant and now, the wireless button functions as a wireless On/Off switch. If you guys get this update, ( assuming it's offered for your model computer) perhaps it will solve your problems.

Best of Luck.

Nothing for my DV7 yet.  But this proves the point... BIOS and driver are flawed.  Good news assuming they follow thru and do the same for the rest of us.  Thanks!