Can't access internet at public library Wi-Fi

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. The network is supposed to
not be secure, which windows and NetStumbler both are telling me the
same thing. I have been able to connect at this hotspot before but
recently, it will not allow access for me, even though I show
connected. The libraian told me that some people can connect and some
can't. 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. One other thing, library is running on channel 11
and network next to library is running on channel 11 also. Could this
be the problem?


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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.

mudturtle74 <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>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'll assume you're using Windoze Wireless Zero Config (WZC) and not
some other connection manager provided by the wireless vendor or hot
spot provider. Is this correct?

If WZC, what does the window for the library wireless SSID show under
"View Available Wireless Networks"? Does it say "Unsecured Network"
for the library?

>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.

Does your laptop work on other wireless networks?

Do you have an IP address delivered by DHCP from the library system?
Run:
start -> run -> ipconfig
What's your IP address for the wireless connection? If it's
169.254.xxx.xxx, you didn't get an IP address.

Do you have Norton, MacAfee, or other third party internet security
software installed? If so, you probably have to configure it to allow
a connection to the library network.

>The network is supposed to
>not be secure, which windows and NetStumbler both are telling me the
>same thing.
>
>I have been able to connect at this hotspot before but
>recently, it will not allow access for me, even though I show
>connected.

OK, what changed? It might be a bit difficult to remember but I'll
guess(tm) it was some kind of security software or VPN client install.

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

Well, I'll give you credit for trying. However, please be advised
that many library employees literally hate computers, which they
consider competition to their book business. Ask the library if they
have some kind of automatic intrusion detection system. I've seen
such systems add MAC addresses to the access point block list, and
never remove them.

>Is there something I have not set up right on my laptop, or is
>it their network settings that causes this?

No way to tell from here. I don't even know what brand and model
laptop, wireless card, or library wireless system.

>I'm able to connect at
>other open hotspots.

Good. Check the IP addresses that these hot spots give you. My guess
is most will be 192.168.xxx.xxx. If the library gives you
10.xxx.xxx.xxx, look at your 3rd party firewall settings.

>One other thing, library is running on channel 11
>and network next to library is running on channel 11 also. Could this
>be the problem?

No. They'll coexist quite nicely, although there might be some
interference to users that can see both systems.
--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558