Re: Can't access internet at public library Wi-Fi

mudturtle74 wrote:
> Here's my problem. I'm trying to connect to the internet at a public
> library with my laptop through Wi-Fi using Windows XP, which is
> supposed to be a non-secure open network. I haven't been able to
> access through IE or Firefox for a couple of months, even though
> Windows is telling me that I am connected.

Are you sure you're getting a good IP address? Verifying that is Step
One, because there's no Step Two unless you are.

> The librarian told me that some people can connect and some
> can't.

Librarianese for "What do I look like, a system administrator?"

> Is there something I have not set up right on my laptop, or is
> it their network settings that causes this? I'm able to connect at
> other open hotspots.

Which mitigates against its being something on your end. My guess is
that-provided you *are* getting a good IP address-they've inadvertently
triggered something like MAC address filtering without realizing it.
I've seen this at a local hotspot. If you have another wireless
adapter-PC Card or USB-or if you know or can figure out (Google is your
friend) how to modify the MAC address your rig sends to the network, try
it and see if it makes a difference.

By the way, I'm assuming here that you're telling this like it is
without leaving out any little details. In particular, I'm assuming
that you haven't been "TOSed"-bounced from the network for violating the
library's acceptable use policy. If you have, I would suggest in the
strongest possible terms that you *not* attempt to circumvent this
sanction by hacking your way back in. If you do and get caught, you
could get yourself into deeper doo-doo than you can get yourself back
out of. Leave your laptop behind and go have a chat with the library
administrator. It's likely you'll find him or her more understanding
and accommodating than you will the police.


> One other thing; (the) library('s network) is running on channel 11
> and (the) network next to (the) library('s) is running on channel 11 also. Could this
> be the problem?

Possibly. Sure you're connecting to the right SSID? I wouldn't think
the other network is close enough to cause an interference problem; if
it were, you'd think there'd have been enough complaints by now that one
of the two would have changed channels.