Shortcut for switching off wireless on R51

[zahir]

HI,
I have an IBM R51.... I've heard that switching off the wireless when not using the wifi network saves battery life... is that true? I tried hitting the Fn and F5 key to switch off the inbuilt wireless on my laptop but i keep getting a msg asking me to update drivers. Is there any other way to do this in the event that switching it off actually saves battery life?
Thanks

[FRiC]

Switching off does save some battery life, but it may not be noticeable depending on what you're doing. I find that the combination of disabling wireless and lowering my CPU voltage using NHC gives me a bit more run time.

I think you need to install Access Connections to use Fn+F5. Try updating both Access Connections and the drivers...

[elethym001]

Yes it does saves battery life, try updating your drivers and installing latest access connections then there is an option in access connections but i think it is enabled by default... but just in case open access connections and go to Configure menu -> Global Settings and make sure "Enable automatic wireless LAN radio control" checkbox is checked. This way, when wireless radio is idle it will automatically turns it off, so u can conserve ur battery life.

[zahir]

hey thanks man, will try it and get back to you