Connecting to a wireless network

Wireless technology transfers data across radio waves instead of wires. Your computer may be equipped with one or more of the following wireless devices:

●Wireless local area network (WLAN) device—Connects the computer to wireless local area networks (commonly referred to as Wi-Fi networks, wireless LANs, or WLANs) in corporate offices, your home, and public places such as airports, restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, and universities. In a WLAN, the mobile wireless device in your computer communicates with a wireless router or a wireless access point.

●Bluetooth device—Creates a personal area network (PAN) to connect to other Bluetooth- enabled devices such as computers, and phones. In a PAN, the computer communicates directly with other devices. A device must be relatively close to the computer—typically within 10 meters (approximately 33 feet) of each other.

For more information about wireless technology, see the information and website links provided in Help and Support.

Using the wireless controls

You can control the wireless devices in your computer using these features:

●Wireless button, wireless switch, or wireless key (referred to in this chapter as the wireless button)

●HP Connection Manager software

●Operating system controls

Using the wireless button

The computer has a wireless button, one or more wireless devices, and one wireless light. All of the wireless devices on your computer are enabled at the factory, so the wireless light is on (white) when you turn on the computer.

The wireless light indicates the overall power state of your wireless devices, not the status of individual devices. If the wireless light is white, at least one wireless device is on. If the wireless light is amber, all wireless devices are off.

Because the wireless devices are enabled at the factory, you can use the wireless button to turn on or turn off the wireless devices simultaneously. Individual wireless devices can be controlled through HP Connection Manager.

Using HP Connection Manager

HP Connection Manager provides a central location for managing the following wireless devices:

●Wireless local area network (WLAN)/Wi-Fi

●Bluetooth

HP Connection Manager provides information and notifications on connection status and power status. Status information and notifications are provided in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar.

16 Chapter 3 Connecting to a network