Compaq Laptop not detecting Wi-Fi automatically.

[MARP1961]

Our Compaq laptop running Ubuntu 10.04 suddenly could not find a wi-fi signal from our home broadband router. It originally detected the signal without problems and I had set it up to autoconnect on boot up with no pass-key requests. Then it suddenly stopped working and wireless was disabled. I eventually discovered by chance that the wi-fi button next to the power button now needs to be pressed twice after every boot up! Press twice, then wait a few seconds and it connects just fine. Also the light on the button is changing colour at will. Although it doesn't disconnect, it is annoying to have the light flashing on and off. Is it possible that inadvertently pushing this switch a couple of days ago has stopped the laptop from autoconnecting as it used to? Is there any way to get this back to it's original state?