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lost wireless connectivity - please help

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  lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-14 07:53 -0700
    Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help Roy <rd@bj.com> - 2011-06-14 15:58 +0000
      Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-14 12:22 -0700
        Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help Roy Strachan <rd@bj.com> - 2011-06-15 16:00 +0000
          Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-15 09:12 -0700
    Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help Tazz <dmswaine@gmail.com> - 2011-06-14 15:19 -0300
      Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help BillW50 <BillW50@aol.kom> - 2011-06-14 13:28 -0500
      Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-14 13:40 -0700
        Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help *Hemidactylus* <ecphoric@hotmail.com> - 2011-06-14 21:51 -0400
          Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-14 20:23 -0700
            Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help Wolf K <wekirch@sympatico.ca> - 2011-06-15 08:40 -0400
              Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help *Hemidactylus* <ecphoric@hotmail.com> - 2011-06-15 09:58 -0400
              Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-15 09:39 -0700
            Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help Mark Lloyd <mlloyd@notroachstupid.usant.invalid> - 2011-06-15 10:41 -0500
              Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "BillW50" <BillW50@aol.kom> - 2011-06-15 11:28 -0500
                Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-15 10:07 -0700
                  Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "BillW50" <BillW50@aol.kom> - 2011-06-15 14:56 -0500
                    Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-15 14:11 -0700
              Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-15 09:48 -0700
              Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help Simon Jones <simon@iinet.net.au> - 2011-06-16 01:55 -0500
                Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-16 09:15 -0700
                  Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help Simon Jones <simon@iinet.net.au> - 2011-06-17 01:57 -0500
                Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-16 12:02 -0700
                  Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help Simon Jones <simon@iinet.net.au> - 2011-06-17 02:00 -0500
                    Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-20 13:51 -0700
                      Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help Andy <nospam@> - 2011-06-21 08:25 +1000
                      Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help Simon Jones <simon@iinet.net.au> - 2011-06-21 01:13 -0500
                        Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help Andy <nospam@> - 2011-06-21 17:35 +1000
                        Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-21 10:39 -0700
                          Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-21 11:55 -0700
                            Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Dirk T. Verbeek" <dverbeek@xs4all.nl> - 2011-06-22 20:19 +0200
                              Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-22 11:35 -0700
                          Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help Simon Jones <simon@iinet.net.au> - 2011-06-22 01:07 -0500
                            Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-22 00:22 -0700
                              Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help Simon Jones <simon@iinet.net.au> - 2011-06-22 04:30 -0500
                                Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-22 10:16 -0700
          Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help Mark Lloyd <mlloyd@notroachstupid.usant.invalid> - 2011-06-15 10:38 -0500
    Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "RnR" <rnrtexas@gmail.com> - 2011-06-20 05:11 -0500
      Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> - 2011-06-20 08:30 -0700
        Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "RnR" <rnrtexas@gmail.com> - 2011-06-20 12:18 -0500
          Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help "RnR" <rnrtexas@gmail.com> - 2011-06-20 12:22 -0500
            Re: lost wireless connectivity - please help Simon Jones <simon@iinet.net.au> - 2011-06-21 01:12 -0500

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#263 — lost wireless connectivity - please help

Host OS:    Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
Guest OS:    Windows XP Pro SP3 (via VirtualBox)
Base Memory:    4096 MB
Video Memory:    256 MB
System:    ASUS N61JQ (laptop)
RAM:    8 GB
Graphics:    ATI Radeon Mobility 5730 (1 GB DDR3 VRAM)


I don't know how but I've lost wireless connectivity within the last week or so.
It was working last Monday evening but not last night.  I use wireless for
class.
I ran Update Manager yesterday.  Could that be the reason?

[toc] | [next] | [standalone]

#264

On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 07:53:11 -0700, Adam wrote:

> Host OS:    Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
> Guest OS:    Windows XP Pro SP3 (via VirtualBox) Base Memory:    4096 MB
> Video Memory:    256 MB
> System:    ASUS N61JQ (laptop)
> RAM:    8 GB
> Graphics:    ATI Radeon Mobility 5730 (1 GB DDR3 VRAM)
> 
> 
> I don't know how but I've lost wireless connectivity within the last
> week or so. It was working last Monday evening but not last night.  I
> use wireless for class.
> I ran Update Manager yesterday.  Could that be the reason?

Right click the networking icon. make sure enable wireless is checked, un-
check enable networking, recheck enable networking.  That usually does it 
for me, though occasionally only a reboot will work, and sometimes a 
second reboot, but that is rare.  There seems to be an occasional quirk 
in wireless connection.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#267

"Roy" <rd@bj.com> wrote in message news:oyLJp.53341$5f.31232@newsfe19.iad...
> On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 07:53:11 -0700, Adam wrote:
>
> > Host OS:    Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
> > Guest OS:    Windows XP Pro SP3 (via VirtualBox) Base Memory:    4096 MB
> > Video Memory:    256 MB
> > System:    ASUS N61JQ (laptop)
> > RAM:    8 GB
> > Graphics:    ATI Radeon Mobility 5730 (1 GB DDR3 VRAM)
> >
> >
> > I don't know how but I've lost wireless connectivity within the last
> > week or so. It was working last Monday evening but not last night.  I
> > use wireless for class.
> > I ran Update Manager yesterday.  Could that be the reason?
>
> Right click the networking icon. make sure enable wireless is checked, un-
> check enable networking, recheck enable networking.  That usually does it
> for me, though occasionally only a reboot will work, and sometimes a
> second reboot, but that is rare.  There seems to be an occasional quirk
> in wireless connection.

Thanks, but right-clicking the networking icon shows ...
    1)    Enable Networking is checked and
    2)    Enable Wireless is grayed out & not checked

And, I can't click to check Enable Wireless since it is grayed out.

But, your post hinted me to search for ...
"ubuntu lucid how to enable wireless \"wireless is disabled\""
which led me to the following link ...
http://askubuntu.com/questions/9816/wireless-shows-up-as-disabled-how-can-i-get-
it-working
where I found ...
==================================================================
It is likely that the network-manager state got corrupted.
Open the file /var/lib/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.state.
It should look something like this:

[main]
NetworkingEnabled=true
WirelessEnabled=true
WWANEnabled=true

Change any from 'false' to 'true' to re-enable networking.
It may work better if you first stop NetworkManager:

sudo stop network-manager

And start it again once done. Or reboot

This happened occasionally after wakeup in Lucid. In Maverick this should be
fixed.
==================================================================

My "/var/lib/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.state" [Read-Only] file contains
the same settings except ...

WirelessEnabled=false

In there another way to change this setting?

Also, I recently found out about Ctrl+Alt+Backspace and
started using it just before shutdown to prevent system freeze.
Could using Ctrl+Alt+Backspace cause the network-manager state to be corrupted?
Trying to find out what is disabling wireless to prevent it from happening
again.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#275

On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:22:33 -0700, Adam wrote:

> "Roy" <rd@bj.com> wrote in message
> news:oyLJp.53341$5f.31232@newsfe19.iad...
>> On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 07:53:11 -0700, Adam wrote:
>>
>> > Host OS:    Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
>> > Guest OS:    Windows XP Pro SP3 (via VirtualBox) Base Memory:    4096
>> > MB Video Memory:    256 MB
>> > System:    ASUS N61JQ (laptop)
>> > RAM:    8 GB
>> > Graphics:    ATI Radeon Mobility 5730 (1 GB DDR3 VRAM)
>> >
>> >
>> > I don't know how but I've lost wireless connectivity within the last
>> > week or so. It was working last Monday evening but not last night.  I
>> > use wireless for class.
>> > I ran Update Manager yesterday.  Could that be the reason?
>>
>> Right click the networking icon. make sure enable wireless is checked,
>> un-check enable networking, recheck enable networking.  That usually
>> does it for me, though occasionally only a reboot will work, and
>> sometimes a second reboot, but that is rare.  There seems to be an
>> occasional quirk in wireless connection.
> 
> Thanks, but right-clicking the networking icon shows ...
>     1)    Enable Networking is checked and 2)    Enable Wireless is
>     grayed out & not checked
> 
> And, I can't click to check Enable Wireless since it is grayed out.
> 
> But, your post hinted me to search for ... "ubuntu lucid how to enable
> wireless \"wireless is disabled\"" which led me to the following link
> ...
> http://askubuntu.com/questions/9816/wireless-shows-up-as-disabled-how-
can-i-get-
> it-working
> where I found ...
> ================================================================== It is
> likely that the network-manager state got corrupted. Open the file
> /var/lib/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.state. It should look something
> like this:
> 
> [main]
> NetworkingEnabled=true
> WirelessEnabled=true
> WWANEnabled=true
> 
> Change any from 'false' to 'true' to re-enable networking. It may work
> better if you first stop NetworkManager:
> 
> sudo stop network-manager
> 
> And start it again once done. Or reboot
> 
> This happened occasionally after wakeup in Lucid. In Maverick this
> should be fixed.
> ==================================================================
> 
> My "/var/lib/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.state" [Read-Only] file
> contains the same settings except ...
> 
> WirelessEnabled=false
> 
> In there another way to change this setting?

/var is a system directory, so it is owned by root and you don't have 
write permission.  To gain access use -
sudo gedit /var/lib/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.state


> 
> Also, I recently found out about Ctrl+Alt+Backspace and started using it
> just before shutdown to prevent system freeze. Could using
> Ctrl+Alt+Backspace cause the network-manager state to be corrupted?
> Trying to find out what is disabling wireless to prevent it from
> happening again.

I'm not sure, I've never used it.  However after you have restored 
NetworkManager.state you can try it and see for yourself.  Just make sure 
that you do not have any unsaved data when you do since this will restart 
X and consequently any open programs, which means any unsaved data will 
be lost.  From "This happened occasionally after wakeup in Lucid" in your 
quoted website, I would *guess* Ctrl+Alt+Backspace is not the problem.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#276

"Roy Strachan" <rd@bj.com> wrote in message
news:xG4Kp.8785$F25.3774@newsfe04.iad...
> On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:22:33 -0700, Adam wrote:
>
> > "Roy" <rd@bj.com> wrote in message
> > news:oyLJp.53341$5f.31232@newsfe19.iad...
> >> On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 07:53:11 -0700, Adam wrote:
> >>
> >> > Host OS:    Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
> >> > Guest OS:    Windows XP Pro SP3 (via VirtualBox) Base Memory:    4096
> >> > MB Video Memory:    256 MB
> >> > System:    ASUS N61JQ (laptop)
> >> > RAM:    8 GB
> >> > Graphics:    ATI Radeon Mobility 5730 (1 GB DDR3 VRAM)
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > I don't know how but I've lost wireless connectivity within the last
> >> > week or so. It was working last Monday evening but not last night.  I
> >> > use wireless for class.
> >> > I ran Update Manager yesterday.  Could that be the reason?
> >>
> >> Right click the networking icon. make sure enable wireless is checked,
> >> un-check enable networking, recheck enable networking.  That usually
> >> does it for me, though occasionally only a reboot will work, and
> >> sometimes a second reboot, but that is rare.  There seems to be an
> >> occasional quirk in wireless connection.
> >
> > Thanks, but right-clicking the networking icon shows ...
> >     1)    Enable Networking is checked and 2)    Enable Wireless is
> >     grayed out & not checked
> >
> > And, I can't click to check Enable Wireless since it is grayed out.
> >
> > But, your post hinted me to search for ... "ubuntu lucid how to enable
> > wireless \"wireless is disabled\"" which led me to the following link
> > ...
> > http://askubuntu.com/questions/9816/wireless-shows-up-as-disabled-how-
> can-i-get-
> > it-working
> > where I found ...
> > ================================================================== It is
> > likely that the network-manager state got corrupted. Open the file
> > /var/lib/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.state. It should look something
> > like this:
> >
> > [main]
> > NetworkingEnabled=true
> > WirelessEnabled=true
> > WWANEnabled=true
> >
> > Change any from 'false' to 'true' to re-enable networking. It may work
> > better if you first stop NetworkManager:
> >
> > sudo stop network-manager
> >
> > And start it again once done. Or reboot
> >
> > This happened occasionally after wakeup in Lucid. In Maverick this
> > should be fixed.
> > ==================================================================
> >
> > My "/var/lib/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.state" [Read-Only] file
> > contains the same settings except ...
> >
> > WirelessEnabled=false
> >
> > In there another way to change this setting?
>
> /var is a system directory, so it is owned by root and you don't have
> write permission.  To gain access use -
> sudo gedit /var/lib/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.state
>

Okay, thanks!


>
> >
> > Also, I recently found out about Ctrl+Alt+Backspace and started using it
> > just before shutdown to prevent system freeze. Could using
> > Ctrl+Alt+Backspace cause the network-manager state to be corrupted?
> > Trying to find out what is disabling wireless to prevent it from
> > happening again.
>
> I'm not sure, I've never used it.  However after you have restored
> NetworkManager.state you can try it and see for yourself.  Just make sure
> that you do not have any unsaved data when you do since this will restart
> X and consequently any open programs, which means any unsaved data will
> be lost.  From "This happened occasionally after wakeup in Lucid" in your
> quoted website, I would *guess* Ctrl+Alt+Backspace is not the problem.

Yes, glad to know that Ctrl+Alt+Backspace is not the problem.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#265

On 14/06/2011 11:53 AM, Adam wrote:
> Host OS:    Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
> Guest OS:    Windows XP Pro SP3 (via VirtualBox)
> Base Memory:    4096 MB
> Video Memory:    256 MB
> System:    ASUS N61JQ (laptop)
> RAM:    8 GB
> Graphics:    ATI Radeon Mobility 5730 (1 GB DDR3 VRAM)
>
>
> I don't know how but I've lost wireless connectivity within the last week or so.
> It was working last Monday evening but not last night.  I use wireless for
> class.
> I ran Update Manager yesterday.  Could that be the reason?
>
>

I've had to turn the physical antenna switch off for a few seconds then 
back on for a few of the laptops that have lost their wireless network. 
That usually fixes it. Maybe an update caused something to not auto connect?

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#266

Tazz wrote:
> On 14/06/2011 11:53 AM, Adam wrote:
>> Host OS:    Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
>> Guest OS:    Windows XP Pro SP3 (via VirtualBox)
>> Base Memory:    4096 MB
>> Video Memory:    256 MB
>> System:    ASUS N61JQ (laptop)
>> RAM:    8 GB
>> Graphics:    ATI Radeon Mobility 5730 (1 GB DDR3 VRAM)
>>
>>
>> I don't know how but I've lost wireless connectivity within the last 
>> week or so.
>> It was working last Monday evening but not last night.  I use wireless 
>> for
>> class.
>> I ran Update Manager yesterday.  Could that be the reason?
>>
>>
> 
> I've had to turn the physical antenna switch off for a few seconds then 
> back on for a few of the laptops that have lost their wireless network. 
> That usually fixes it. Maybe an update caused something to not auto 
> connect?

Another thing to try is to delete the old profile and to create a new 
one. I guess the old one sometimes gets corrupted or something.

-- 
Bill
Asus EEE PC 702G4 ~ 2GB RAM ~ 16GB-SDHC
Xandros Linux (build 2007-10-19 13:03)

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#268

"Tazz" <dmswaine@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4df7a61d$0$1960$9a566e8b@news.aliant.net...
> On 14/06/2011 11:53 AM, Adam wrote:
> > Host OS:    Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
> > Guest OS:    Windows XP Pro SP3 (via VirtualBox)
> > Base Memory:    4096 MB
> > Video Memory:    256 MB
> > System:    ASUS N61JQ (laptop)
> > RAM:    8 GB
> > Graphics:    ATI Radeon Mobility 5730 (1 GB DDR3 VRAM)
> >
> >
> > I don't know how but I've lost wireless connectivity within the last week or
so.
> > It was working last Monday evening but not last night.  I use wireless for
> > class.
> > I ran Update Manager yesterday.  Could that be the reason?
> >
> >
>
> I've had to turn the physical antenna switch off for a few seconds then
> back on for a few of the laptops that have lost their wireless network.
> That usually fixes it. Maybe an update caused something to not auto connect?
>

Bingo!  Thanks, your post led me to the following link ...
http://library.newpaltz.edu/techpages/wirelessfix.html
My wireless connection problem is stated in the first sentence ...

"Most laptops have a way to turn off the wireless antenna and
it is easy to turn it off by accident."

I wasn't aware that there is a Wireless Switch until
I looked for it in the ASUS User Manual just now.
I must have turned it OFF by accident recently.

Also, I just found out that FN+F2 Enables/Disables Wireless when
the physical Wireless Switch is ON.
http://en.kioskea.net/faq/1529-wifi-integrated-activation-on-laptop-computer
When the physical Wireless Switch is OFF, Enable Wireless is grayed out.

However, not sure why but the wireless light found just below
the touchpad is always ON/lighted, even when the physical Wireless Switch is
OFF.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#269

On 06/14/2011 04:40 PM, Adam wrote:
>
> "Tazz"<dmswaine@gmail.com>  wrote in message
> news:4df7a61d$0$1960$9a566e8b@news.aliant.net...
>> On 14/06/2011 11:53 AM, Adam wrote:
>>> Host OS:    Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
>>> Guest OS:    Windows XP Pro SP3 (via VirtualBox)
>>> Base Memory:    4096 MB
>>> Video Memory:    256 MB
>>> System:    ASUS N61JQ (laptop)
>>> RAM:    8 GB
>>> Graphics:    ATI Radeon Mobility 5730 (1 GB DDR3 VRAM)
>>>
>>>
>>> I don't know how but I've lost wireless connectivity within the last week or
> so.
>>> It was working last Monday evening but not last night.  I use wireless for
>>> class.
>>> I ran Update Manager yesterday.  Could that be the reason?
>>>
>>>
>>
>> I've had to turn the physical antenna switch off for a few seconds then
>> back on for a few of the laptops that have lost their wireless network.
>> That usually fixes it. Maybe an update caused something to not auto connect?
>>
>
> Bingo!  Thanks, your post led me to the following link ...
> http://library.newpaltz.edu/techpages/wirelessfix.html
> My wireless connection problem is stated in the first sentence ...
>
> "Most laptops have a way to turn off the wireless antenna and
> it is easy to turn it off by accident."
>
> I wasn't aware that there is a Wireless Switch until
> I looked for it in the ASUS User Manual just now.
> I must have turned it OFF by accident recently.
>
> Also, I just found out that FN+F2 Enables/Disables Wireless when
> the physical Wireless Switch is ON.
> http://en.kioskea.net/faq/1529-wifi-integrated-activation-on-laptop-computer
> When the physical Wireless Switch is OFF, Enable Wireless is grayed out.
>
> However, not sure why but the wireless light found just below
> the touchpad is always ON/lighted, even when the physical Wireless Switch is
> OFF.
>
>
I almost gave my ISP a nasty call once because I couldn't access 
wireless, but then I realized I accidentally turn off the wireless by 
brushing my finger across the front of my HP. There are all kinds of 
buttons on different types of laptops that can be accidentally touched 
to shut wireless down. Glad to hear you found the culprit. I've seen a 
case where someone has a laptop that switches on/off with F2 alone, 
which is either a glitch for that laptop or a major engineering screw-up.

-- 
DJ *Hemidactylus* (see below)
Hemi's choice of the moment:
Soul Makoosa- Manu Dibango
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWK_Josc0Og

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#270

"*Hemidactylus*" <ecphoric@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:QtCdnX97BK6pjWXQnZ2dnUVZ_hWdnZ2d@giganews.com...
> On 06/14/2011 04:40 PM, Adam wrote:
> >
> > "Tazz"<dmswaine@gmail.com>  wrote in message
> > news:4df7a61d$0$1960$9a566e8b@news.aliant.net...
> >> On 14/06/2011 11:53 AM, Adam wrote:
> >>> Host OS:    Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
> >>> Guest OS:    Windows XP Pro SP3 (via VirtualBox)
> >>> Base Memory:    4096 MB
> >>> Video Memory:    256 MB
> >>> System:    ASUS N61JQ (laptop)
> >>> RAM:    8 GB
> >>> Graphics:    ATI Radeon Mobility 5730 (1 GB DDR3 VRAM)
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> I don't know how but I've lost wireless connectivity within the last week
or
> > so.
> >>> It was working last Monday evening but not last night.  I use wireless for
> >>> class.
> >>> I ran Update Manager yesterday.  Could that be the reason?
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >> I've had to turn the physical antenna switch off for a few seconds then
> >> back on for a few of the laptops that have lost their wireless network.
> >> That usually fixes it. Maybe an update caused something to not auto
connect?
> >>
> >
> > Bingo!  Thanks, your post led me to the following link ...
> > http://library.newpaltz.edu/techpages/wirelessfix.html
> > My wireless connection problem is stated in the first sentence ...
> >
> > "Most laptops have a way to turn off the wireless antenna and
> > it is easy to turn it off by accident."
> >
> > I wasn't aware that there is a Wireless Switch until
> > I looked for it in the ASUS User Manual just now.
> > I must have turned it OFF by accident recently.
> >
> > Also, I just found out that FN+F2 Enables/Disables Wireless when
> > the physical Wireless Switch is ON.
> > http://en.kioskea.net/faq/1529-wifi-integrated-activation-on-laptop-computer
> > When the physical Wireless Switch is OFF, Enable Wireless is grayed out.
> >
> > However, not sure why but the wireless light found just below
> > the touchpad is always ON/lighted, even when the physical Wireless Switch is
> > OFF.
> >
> >
>
> I almost gave my ISP a nasty call once because I couldn't access
> wireless, but then I realized I accidentally turn off the wireless by
> brushing my finger across the front of my HP. There are all kinds of
> buttons on different types of laptops that can be accidentally touched
> to shut wireless down. Glad to hear you found the culprit. I've seen a
> case where someone has a laptop that switches on/off with F2 alone,
> which is either a glitch for that laptop or a major engineering screw-up.
>
> --
> DJ *Hemidactylus* (see below)
> Hemi's choice of the moment:
> Soul Makoosa- Manu Dibango
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWK_Josc0Og


Thanks, if it weren't for all the good people on newsgroups,
I eventually would give someone/something a nasty call myself.    :-)
I think it's a design flaw when buttons/switches are placed where
they can be turned ON/OFF by accident.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#271

On 14/06/2011 11:23 PM, Adam wrote:
[...]
> I think it's a design flaw when buttons/switches are placed where
> they can be turned ON/OFF by accident.

Agreed, but why does it happen? Because engineers tend to ignore 
ergonomics - unless they are _trained_ to pay attention. Which still 
doesn't happen as a matter of course. That's "design", you see, which 
means it's artsy-fartsy. That design means "imagining what the ordinary 
user is like" is a concept that too many engineers tend to ignore if not 
actively resist. In fairness, too many designers also suffer from the 
solipsistic stance, paying more attention to "form" than to usability.

Many years ago, I was assigned to teach engineers their one mandatory 
"English" course, which was heavily focussed on How To Write. Which was 
pointless without also training them in How To Figure Out What The 
Client Really Needs. IOW, how to train their imagination. For that, 
literature (and the other arts) are essential. But the majority of my 
students resisted, sometimes rudely, any attempts to help them "get" poetry.

OTOH, the best reader/writer I ever had the privilege of teaching was an 
engineer.

Go figure.

:-)

Wolf K.

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#272

On 06/15/2011 08:40 AM, Wolf K wrote:
> On 14/06/2011 11:23 PM, Adam wrote:
> [...]
>> I think it's a design flaw when buttons/switches are placed where
>> they can be turned ON/OFF by accident.
>
> Agreed, but why does it happen? Because engineers tend to ignore
> ergonomics - unless they are _trained_ to pay attention. Which still
> doesn't happen as a matter of course. That's "design", you see, which
> means it's artsy-fartsy. That design means "imagining what the ordinary
> user is like" is a concept that too many engineers tend to ignore if not
> actively resist. In fairness, too many designers also suffer from the
> solipsistic stance, paying more attention to "form" than to usability.
>
> Many years ago, I was assigned to teach engineers their one mandatory
> "English" course, which was heavily focussed on How To Write. Which was
> pointless without also training them in How To Figure Out What The
> Client Really Needs. IOW, how to train their imagination. For that,
> literature (and the other arts) are essential. But the majority of my
> students resisted, sometimes rudely, any attempts to help them "get"
> poetry.
>
> OTOH, the best reader/writer I ever had the privilege of teaching was an
> engineer.
>
> Go figure.
>
> :-)
>
The university I attended had a Human Factors major hosted by the 
Psychology department. This field blends psychology and engineering and 
focuses on things like ergonomics. I wonder if Apple products are better 
ergonomically speaking than others, given the boatload of money one has 
to spend on them.


-- 
DJ *Hemidactylus* (see below)
Hemi's choice of the moment:
Soul Makoosa- Manu Dibango
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWK_Josc0Og

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#278

"Wolf K" <wekirch@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:LK1Kp.150$ke1.110@unlimited.newshosting.com...
> On 14/06/2011 11:23 PM, Adam wrote:
> [...]
> > I think it's a design flaw when buttons/switches are placed where
> > they can be turned ON/OFF by accident.
>
> Agreed, but why does it happen? Because engineers tend to ignore
> ergonomics - unless they are _trained_ to pay attention. Which still
> doesn't happen as a matter of course. That's "design", you see, which
> means it's artsy-fartsy. That design means "imagining what the ordinary
> user is like" is a concept that too many engineers tend to ignore if not
> actively resist. In fairness, too many designers also suffer from the
> solipsistic stance, paying more attention to "form" than to usability.
>
> Many years ago, I was assigned to teach engineers their one mandatory
> "English" course, which was heavily focussed on How To Write. Which was
> pointless without also training them in How To Figure Out What The
> Client Really Needs. IOW, how to train their imagination. For that,
> literature (and the other arts) are essential. But the majority of my
> students resisted, sometimes rudely, any attempts to help them "get" poetry.
>
> OTOH, the best reader/writer I ever had the privilege of teaching was an
> engineer.
>
> Go figure.
>
> :-)
>
> Wolf K.
>

So true.  I would add that it also has to do with the culture of the company.
Overall, I think ASUS makes outstanding computer components.  But,
for laptops, upper management could do better with ergonomics,
particularly with switches/buttons (except the big power ON/OFF switch,
which is cool).  Otherwise, ASUS notebooks are coming along nicely.

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#274

On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:23:57 -0700, "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> wrote:

[snip]

>Thanks, if it weren't for all the good people on newsgroups,
>I eventually would give someone/something a nasty call myself.    :-)
>I think it's a design flaw when buttons/switches are placed where
>they can be turned ON/OFF by accident.
>

On some laptops, it's hard to type without activating the touch pad.
For that reason, I like to disable the touch pad (if possible) and use
an external wireless mouse (that's even easier with these little
receivers that don't get knocked out all the time).
-- 
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us

"Well, it's a type 'M' planet, so it should at least have
Roddenberries." -- Turanga Leela, Futurama

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#277

In news:kgkhv6pb94fhrl8m8v5vm3o34r2ggme0so@4ax.com,
Mark Lloyd wrote:
> On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:23:57 -0700, "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> wrote:
>
> [snip]
>
>> Thanks, if it weren't for all the good people on newsgroups,
>> I eventually would give someone/something a nasty call myself.    :-)
>> I think it's a design flaw when buttons/switches are placed where
>> they can be turned ON/OFF by accident.
>
> On some laptops, it's hard to type without activating the touch pad.
> For that reason, I like to disable the touch pad (if possible) and use
> an external wireless mouse (that's even easier with these little
> receivers that don't get knocked out all the time).

If you use a Synaptics driver for your touchpad, you can turn off the 
touchpad while typing. It is under Pointer Options tab and called "Hide 
pointer while typing". And if you want to turn it off period, the Device 
Settings tab allows you to disable it.

-- 
Bill
Gateway M465e ('06 era) - OE-QuoteFix v1.19.2
Centrino Core Duo 1.83G - 2GB - Windows XP SP3 

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#280

"BillW50" <BillW50@aol.kom> wrote in message news:itamjb$cpl$1@dont-email.me...
> In news:kgkhv6pb94fhrl8m8v5vm3o34r2ggme0so@4ax.com,
> Mark Lloyd wrote:
> > On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:23:57 -0700, "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> wrote:
> >
> > [snip]
> >
> >> Thanks, if it weren't for all the good people on newsgroups,
> >> I eventually would give someone/something a nasty call myself.    :-)
> >> I think it's a design flaw when buttons/switches are placed where
> >> they can be turned ON/OFF by accident.
> >
> > On some laptops, it's hard to type without activating the touch pad.
> > For that reason, I like to disable the touch pad (if possible) and use
> > an external wireless mouse (that's even easier with these little
> > receivers that don't get knocked out all the time).
> 
> If you use a Synaptics driver for your touchpad, you can turn off the 
> touchpad while typing. It is under Pointer Options tab and called "Hide 
> pointer while typing". And if you want to turn it off period, the Device 
> Settings tab allows you to disable it.
> 
> -- 
> Bill
> Gateway M465e ('06 era) - OE-QuoteFix v1.19.2
> Centrino Core Duo 1.83G - 2GB - Windows XP SP3 
> 

Thanks, I've been wanting to disable the touchpad.
Just forgot about doing so after getting in the habit of using
the wireless mouse.  Hints from your post led me to the following link ...
http://www.fixya.com/support/t8296556-enable_touch_pad
However, my Mouse Preferences dialog box is
missing the Touchpad tab.  Any ideas?

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#281

In news:itaos3$st8$1@dont-email.me,
Adam wrote:
> "BillW50" <BillW50@aol.kom> wrote in message
> news:itamjb$cpl$1@dont-email.me...
>> In news:kgkhv6pb94fhrl8m8v5vm3o34r2ggme0so@4ax.com,
>> Mark Lloyd wrote:
>>> On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:23:57 -0700, "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> [snip]
>>>
>>>> Thanks, if it weren't for all the good people on newsgroups,
>>>> I eventually would give someone/something a nasty call myself.
>>>> :-) I think it's a design flaw when buttons/switches are placed
>>>> where they can be turned ON/OFF by accident.
>>>
>>> On some laptops, it's hard to type without activating the touch pad.
>>> For that reason, I like to disable the touch pad (if possible) and
>>> use an external wireless mouse (that's even easier with these little
>>> receivers that don't get knocked out all the time).
>>
>> If you use a Synaptics driver for your touchpad, you can turn off the
>> touchpad while typing. It is under Pointer Options tab and called
>> "Hide pointer while typing". And if you want to turn it off period,
>> the Device Settings tab allows you to disable it.
>
> Thanks, I've been wanting to disable the touchpad.
> Just forgot about doing so after getting in the habit of using
> the wireless mouse.  Hints from your post led me to the following
> link ... http://www.fixya.com/support/t8296556-enable_touch_pad
> However, my Mouse Preferences dialog box is
> missing the Touchpad tab.  Any ideas?

Well it sounds like you don't even have a touchpad driver installed. 
Although the mouse driver will work some of the features of the 
touchpad. But you need to find out which manufacture made your touchpad. 
More than half of laptops uses Synaptics, so that might be what you 
have.

I would first go to your laptop manufactures website and look for 
drivers for your model. You might find out the manufacture by the specs 
for your machine as well. And installing the right touchpad driver 
should give you all of those extra features.

-- 
Bill
Gateway M465e ('06 era) - OE-QuoteFix v1.19.2
Centrino Core Duo 1.83G - 2GB - Windows XP SP3 

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#282

"BillW50" <BillW50@aol.kom> wrote in message news:itb34o$5db$1@dont-email.me...
> In news:itaos3$st8$1@dont-email.me,
> Adam wrote:
> > "BillW50" <BillW50@aol.kom> wrote in message
> > news:itamjb$cpl$1@dont-email.me...
> >> In news:kgkhv6pb94fhrl8m8v5vm3o34r2ggme0so@4ax.com,
> >> Mark Lloyd wrote:
> >>> On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:23:57 -0700, "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com>
> >>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> [snip]
> >>>
> >>>> Thanks, if it weren't for all the good people on newsgroups,
> >>>> I eventually would give someone/something a nasty call myself.
> >>>> :-) I think it's a design flaw when buttons/switches are placed
> >>>> where they can be turned ON/OFF by accident.
> >>>
> >>> On some laptops, it's hard to type without activating the touch pad.
> >>> For that reason, I like to disable the touch pad (if possible) and
> >>> use an external wireless mouse (that's even easier with these little
> >>> receivers that don't get knocked out all the time).
> >>
> >> If you use a Synaptics driver for your touchpad, you can turn off the
> >> touchpad while typing. It is under Pointer Options tab and called
> >> "Hide pointer while typing". And if you want to turn it off period,
> >> the Device Settings tab allows you to disable it.
> >
> > Thanks, I've been wanting to disable the touchpad.
> > Just forgot about doing so after getting in the habit of using
> > the wireless mouse.  Hints from your post led me to the following
> > link ... http://www.fixya.com/support/t8296556-enable_touch_pad
> > However, my Mouse Preferences dialog box is
> > missing the Touchpad tab.  Any ideas?
> 
> Well it sounds like you don't even have a touchpad driver installed. 
> Although the mouse driver will work some of the features of the 
> touchpad. But you need to find out which manufacture made your touchpad. 
> More than half of laptops uses Synaptics, so that might be what you 
> have.
> 
> I would first go to your laptop manufactures website and look for 
> drivers for your model. You might find out the manufacture by the specs 
> for your machine as well. And installing the right touchpad driver 
> should give you all of those extra features.
> 
> -- 
> Bill
> Gateway M465e ('06 era) - OE-QuoteFix v1.19.2
> Centrino Core Duo 1.83G - 2GB - Windows XP SP3 
> 

Thanks, the ASUS N61JQ User Manual (E5184) mentions
Elantech in the "Using the Touchpad" section.  So,
I guess Elantech is the touchpad manufacturer?
I'll have to look more into proper touchpad driver installation for
both Ubuntu 10.04 and Windows XP later when I have more time.
The tricky one may be Ubuntu since it usually comes with EVERYTHING.
Yes, I got spoiled.    :-)

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#279

"Mark Lloyd" <mlloyd@notroachstupid.usant.invalid> wrote in message
news:kgkhv6pb94fhrl8m8v5vm3o34r2ggme0so@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:23:57 -0700, "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> wrote:
>
> [snip]
>
> >Thanks, if it weren't for all the good people on newsgroups,
> >I eventually would give someone/something a nasty call myself.    :-)
> >I think it's a design flaw when buttons/switches are placed where
> >they can be turned ON/OFF by accident.
> >
>
> On some laptops, it's hard to type without activating the touch pad.
> For that reason, I like to disable the touch pad (if possible) and use
> an external wireless mouse (that's even easier with these little
> receivers that don't get knocked out all the time).
> --
> Mark Lloyd
> http://notstupid.us
>
> "Well, it's a type 'M' planet, so it should at least have
> Roddenberries." -- Turanga Leela, Futurama

Yep, my sentiments exactly.  I avoid the touchpad.
I can't use the touchpad worth beans.
I also prefer to use a wireless mouse with
nano receiver that stays connected to the laptop.

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#284

Mark Lloyd <mlloyd@notroachstupid.usant.invalid>:
>  On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:23:57 -0700, "Adam" <adam@no_thanks.com> wrote:
> 
>  [snip]
> 
> >Thanks, if it weren't for all the good people on newsgroups,
> >I eventually would give someone/something a nasty call myself.    :-)
> >I think it's a design flaw when buttons/switches are placed where
> >they can be turned ON/OFF by accident.
> >
> 
>  On some laptops, it's hard to type without activating the touch pad.
>  For that reason, I like to disable the touch pad (if possible) and use
>  an external wireless mouse (that's even easier with these little
>  receivers that don't get knocked out all the time).

I bought a Samsung laptop because it has a matt screen, not a glossy
one. I was very happy to find I could turn the touchpad off in the
BIOS. :-)
-- 
Simon. 
RLU: 222126 
UIN: 8948262 

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