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HP Wireless LAN BIOS Switch Guide

The Wireless LAN BIOS Switch is a feature that turns off a computer's wireless network adapter when a wired network connection is detected, to prevent both connections from being active at the same time and consuming unnecessary network resources. Enabling this by default will ensure users only have a single network connection. It automatically turns the wireless adapter on when the wired connection is disconnected, like when undocking a laptop, keeping the wireless connection ready. The feature can also be disabled to allow both connections to be active simultaneously.

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221 views1 page

HP Wireless LAN BIOS Switch Guide

The Wireless LAN BIOS Switch is a feature that turns off a computer's wireless network adapter when a wired network connection is detected, to prevent both connections from being active at the same time and consuming unnecessary network resources. Enabling this by default will ensure users only have a single network connection. It automatically turns the wireless adapter on when the wired connection is disconnected, like when undocking a laptop, keeping the wireless connection ready. The feature can also be disabled to allow both connections to be active simultaneously.

Uploaded by

Sor Caligagan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Wireless LAN BIOS Switch Help

What is the Wireless LAN BIOS Switch?


The Wireless LAN BIOS Switch is a feature of HP workstations with wireless adapters. The feature, which is
DISABLED by default, allows the computer to proactively turn off the wireless network adapter when it
detects an active wired network connection.

Why does HPIT want to turn this feature on?


In its default state, all network adapters are enabled and can independently connect to networks. This
means that if, for example, your computer is in its docking station, the wired network adapter will connect
to HP's internal network AND the wireless network adapter will connect also. You now have two
connections to the same network, each using network resources and generating network traffic. It is HPIT's
desire to limit this whenever possible.

What will happen once the Wireless LAN BIOS Switch is turned on?
Let's walk through a typical scenario. You walk into your office in the morning, dock your laptop and turn it
on. During the boot process, the computer will detect an active wired network connect and, as a result, will
turn off your wireless network adapter. You will use your wired connection for all your data needs. Now,
let's say you have a meeting in a conference room. You undock your computer, at which point the wired
connection will drop. Your computer will sense this and automatically turn on the wireless network adapter.
Before you even sit down in the conference room, the wireless adapter will be turned on and ready to go
(depending on which WiFi networks are active at your site, it may already be connected to a wireless
network).

When you leave your meeting and come back to your desk, you'll dock your laptop. This will bring your
wired connection back up. The computer will sense this also and disable your wireless network adapter
again, guaranteeing that you only use a single network connection at all times.

Can I turn this feature off once it's enabled? How?


Absolutely. If this feature interferes with how you do your job, you may use the
provided tools to disable it, returning it to its default state. Look for the following
program: Start -> All Programs -> HP Wireless LAN -> Enable WiFi at all Times.
Running this will disable the Wireless LAN BIOS Switch. HPIT will not re-enable it
unless you re-image your computer with an updated PCCOE image.

Also, you can toggle this back on by using the "Disable WiFi when Wired"
program, found in Start -> All Programs -> HP Wireless LAN.

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