How do i activate the wireless on my toshiba a210-17i, the instructions just say activate the wireless if disabled but where do i go? i have used the fn f8 and it doesn't work.

To enable or disable wireless functions, you must use the Hot Key combination of "Fn" + "F8". This means to press and hold the "Fn" key (near the windows key), and the press the "F8". This is a toggling function. Each time you press the key, it will turn on or turn off the function. Look for the Wireless Light to ensure that the wireless activated.

this works on it's own. like it is needed to connect to verizon wireless internet. your internal on the other hand is designed to work with a home networking equipment such a wireless router (one that is connected to the internet via DSL / Fiber / Cable / etc).

You have two computers doing the same thing? Is the WLAN disabled in software? I recently had a similar issue, it didn't list in Device Manager, I opened the Sony all-in-one , removed the Wireless Adapter Card and used some Electronic Contact Cleaner to clean the card contacts, reinserted the card and so far it's working. Yes you do have to keep up with the tiny screws. Question, Why rely on a neighbors wireless? That would be a unknown in the troubleshooting procedure that must be eliminated. Although, it may be a hardware gremlin, as you suspect. But two computers with the same issue? Sound like a Wireless signal issue? How many devices are running on the Wireless signal?
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This may help: http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/support/manuals/userguides/su2728214/GMAD00254010_NB250_31Mar10.pdf

In the front bottom left hand corner is a lil switch

Please check your device manager and see that it is enabled.

Thank you

here is your problem resolved:
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00226047.pdf

at page 22 and 23 shown how to enable and disable wireless

pls vote me if it's helping you

boss i will tell you how top set up a wireless connection on your laptop through a Wi-Fi network. You should however know how to configure your settings manually to be able to connect your Wi-Fi card to the wireless network.

The first step for the configuration is to determine what SSID, Channel, Mode and WEP you are using.
What is SSID?
SSID is the acronym for Service Set Identifier which is the name of your wireless LAN made up of 32 alphanumeric characters. This service can be set manually through your client network settings. In order to enhance the network security system, some wireless access points will automatically disable this feature.
Wireless Channel Selection
Access points or so called APs mechanism is used to automatically detect the channel selection. Your network can hence have various APs that will manage each channel selected and make their power regulations. A wireless station will be load balanced across the access points in order to enhance its bandwidth.
WEP
WEP is a short term for Wired Equivalent Privacy which is a system of data encryption used in a wireless network in order to allow authorization control for a 802.11 wireless local area network.
How to set up your wireless connection
Nowadays, a modern notebook is built with a wireless modem that has a wireless power system and an activation button found on the keyboard. This button will allow your laptop to connect or disconnect with your wireless modem. If you do not have your user manual to be able to identify this key, here is what you can do: as a toshiba user please follow it.. For Toshiba users

• Those using a A100-078 can use the sliding button on the right-hand side of the laptop
• M40 and M70 users can use the ON/OFF antenna-like button.
• unbuntu users either of avobe features.

YOUR MOBILE CARD MAYBE DISABLED OR ITS MALFUNCTIONING. TRY HELP AND SUPPORT AND IF THAT DOESN'T HELP BUY A WIRELESS ADAPTER TO FURTHER PROVE ITS THE PART INSTEAD OF A CERTAIN CONFIGURATION

Did you try - after switching on the "antenna switch" or WiFi hardware - to "Enable" the WiFi adapter, under (XP) Start - Settings - Network Connections - LAN or High-Speed Internet - Wireless Network Connection? (select, right click and select Enable)?

p.s. Once your WiFi hardware is recognized (by Win XP) there is (should be) always a "Wireless Network Connection" in your Network Connections, enabled or disabled, active or not.