Wireless LAN switch not working - can it be set any other way

Solution #1 by Benimur WORKS!

Thanks dude.

the same thing actually happened to me when i accidentally hit the switch and couldn't turn it back on. as a desperate attempt at anything except taking the laptop apart, i took out the battery after i shut down the laptop and put it back in. the wireless was back on after i turned on the laptop.

Hi,
Unfortunately no, most laptops uses a miniPCI WiFi Card with a switch that is hardwired to one of its pins. That pin must receive a signal (or absence thereof) to activate.
Control Panel activation is actually the enable/disable feature, but it's still got to be mechanically switch on, otherwise it will still not function even if enabled (which I suspect you already have tried).
Although there might be a way to trick the wifi into thinking it was mechanically switch on, however it is no longer swtichable to off (meaning always on). First, you must determine if your laptop uses a miniPCI WiFi Card similar to the image shown below left. If yes, you have to cover pin # 7 as illustrated below mid image. You would need Scotch tape about 1.0mm wide and 4.0mm long to cover the pin.
Of course the usual precaution applies, AC power off, battery removed, possible void of warranty, can possibly make your unit inoperable (unlikely though still possible) and others as may be applicable.
Good luck and hope this works for you. Post again how things turn up or should you need further information. Kind regards.

you can go to control panel>network connections, right click on your wireless network adapter icon, and select enable.

that scotch tape fix works great.

Beimur's fix worked perfectly. Takes some time to get the tape just right but now my wireless works!