Verfying wireless status (Darter Ultra)

[pseudotheist]

So, I get that Fn-F11 supposedly turns wireless on and off, but:

a) does it really? Seems like the wireless card still knows about all the local networks, it just won't let me talk to them.

b) how do I check which state it's in? Looks like ifconfig only tells me if I've received DHCP info, not whether the card is active.

[thomasaaron]

If you right-click the network manager icon and then de-select "Enable Wireless Networking" you will not be able to see or connect to networks.

I don't believe it removes power from the card (as it's still seen by iwconfig), but I think this keeps it from transmitting or receiving.

[perce]

Does unloading the driver turn power off to the card?

[thomasaaron]

Hmmm...

Yes, I just tried that and it worked like a charm.

To remove it...

sudo rmmod iwl3945

To re-install it...

sudo modprobe iwl3945

Your module name will vary. Run...

lsmod

...to find yours.