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60

Wi-Fi Catcher on Laptop, what is the point

60 points posted to Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Broadband and Mobility, Laptops by lukemcurley Mar 31

Can Dell re-consider the inclusion of their Wi-Fi Catcher application as I do not see the point of it over the standard Windows Wi-Fi manager. It is to no benefit to me, actually I have found myself turning off Wi-Fi by accident when trying to use it, which means I pushed the switch the wrong way.

Also there is not need to have a physical switch to turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, your switch turns off both. This should be a software implementation, a small icon on the notification area of the taskbar which has the option to turn off bluetooth and wifi with a click. This will cut a fraction off the cost to manufacture each laptop too.

undead999
Mar 31		 Agreed on the wifi, BT combo switch, seems like a bad idea. wifi catcher is to determine if a wifi network is in range without booting into windows.

from http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/latd820/en/ug/network.htm
To scan for WiFi wireless LAN, slide and hold the switch in the "momentary" position for a few seconds. The Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator functions regardless of whether your computer is turned on or off, in hibernate mode, or in standby mode, as long as the switch is configured through QuickSet or the BIOS (system setup program) to control WiFi network connections.
lukemcurley
Apr 1		 Wait, Wi-Fi Catcher needs Windows running to work. I have never been able to get it to work when system is turned off, just doesn't work that way from what I know.
programatix
Apr 2		 Actually it works. The problem is, as for myself, I can't remember what it mean:

Flashing blue: Searching for network
Solid orange: Weak network found
Solid blue: Strong network found
Off: No signal found.

How to use? Let say you are walking around and is wondering whether there is WiFi coverage. Instead of turning on your laptop (and boot into Windows), you press the Wi-Fi catcher button. If no light, then no WiFi.
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