Problems with logging into public WiFi

[Bob]

For the mostpart logging into a hotel's WiFi network is a simple
affair and it frequently just automatically connects as soon as firing
up my laptop. Sometimes I have to find any available networks and
request a connection. No problem!

Occasionally, a public network can be found, but the computer is
unable to make a connection. This sometimes happens when a password is
required to access a hotel's network. Usually after requesting a
connection, I fire up the browser and the hotel's screen appears where
I can enter whatever it is that is needed and everything is fine.

I am just curious as to what I can do when I can not ever get to the
required logon screen. Hotel staff is never is of any help. They just
say that it works for everyone else.

We had been traveling for about a month, staying one or two nights at
different hotels. WiFi worked flawlessly except for two locations.

Could it have someting to do with my internet security program
(Norton)? I dare not disable it to even try.

I am using Avanquest connection manager. I would imagine that if the
hotel claims their WiFi does work, it probably does. So, it must have
something to do with my computer.

[Tom E]

"Bob" <clintonstreet3@MYFAIRPOINT.NET> wrote in message
news:2c746168-b86d-438e-94b2-2c02b8cc4505@k30g2000yqf.googlegroups.com...
> For the mostpart logging into a hotel's WiFi network is a simple
> affair and it frequently just automatically connects as soon as firing
> up my laptop. Sometimes I have to find any available networks and
> request a connection. No problem!
>
> Occasionally, a public network can be found, but the computer is
> unable to make a connection. This sometimes happens when a password is
> required to access a hotel's network. Usually after requesting a
> connection, I fire up the browser and the hotel's screen appears where
> I can enter whatever it is that is needed and everything is fine.
>
> I am just curious as to what I can do when I can not ever get to the
> required logon screen. Hotel staff is never is of any help. They just
> say that it works for everyone else.
>
> We had been traveling for about a month, staying one or two nights at
> different hotels. WiFi worked flawlessly except for two locations.
>
> Could it have someting to do with my internet security program
> (Norton)? I dare not disable it to even try.
>
> I am using Avanquest connection manager. I would imagine that if the
> hotel claims their WiFi does work, it probably does. So, it must have
> something to do with my computer.

maybe you should have tried the Windows connection manager.

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:35:53 -0700 (PDT), Bob
<clintonstreet3@MYFAIRPOINT.NET> wrote:

>I am just curious as to what I can do when I can not ever get to the
>required logon screen. Hotel staff is never is of any help. They just
>say that it works for everyone else.

1. Reboot your laptop. Most laptops go to "sleep" mode when the lid
is closed. The laptop thinks you're still at your old location:

2. Check if you have a valid IP address:
start -> run -> cmd <enter>
ipconfig
If it says 169.254.xxx.xxx, DHCP didn't work.
Try:
ipconfig /release
(wait about 10 seconds)
ipconfig /renew

3. If your Avanquest connection manager has a saved profile for this
particular hot spot, delete it and start over from scratch. This is a
common problem if there is a WEP/WPA encryption password that has
changed.

4. If you have a pop-up blocker running, disable it as some sign on
screens use pop-ups.

5. Temporarily disarm any personal firewalls, internet security
features, VPN clients, URL/DNS redirectors, evil site filters, or any
other program that might be blocking internet access.

6. Try a different web browser (Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox,
Opera, etc).

7. Try to determine if they're doing their own wi-fi access or going
via a service such as T-mobile, Wayport, AT&T, etc. You might get
some help from these vendors.

8. Many hot spots try to limit the range of their wi-fi system by
drastically reducing the xmit power of their access points. If you
suspect that this is the problem, try moving closer to the access
point.

>We had been traveling for about a month, staying one or two nights at
>different hotels. WiFi worked flawlessly except for two locations.

Anything in common with the two locations? Previous visits? Same IP
address?

>Could it have someting to do with my internet security program
>(Norton)? I dare not disable it to even try.

Yes, very likely. Norton 360 and Norton Internet Security have a
feature designed to recognize that you're on a new network and asks
you whether it's secure or not (trusted, or not). The problem is that
it recognizes these networks by IP address range. So, if you go to
some network at 192.168.1.xxx, and proclaim it be untrustworthy, every
time you go to a different wi-fi hotspot with the same IP address
range, it will also treat it as untrustworthy.

How to disable/enable Norton....
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/docid/2003071515220236>
I couldn't find anything on how to clear out old network entries.

Here's Symantec's alarmist view of wi-fi at public hot spots.
<http://www.symantec.com/norton/products/library/article.jsp?aid=secure_public_hotspot>

>I am using Avanquest connection manager. I would imagine that if the
>hotel claims their WiFi does work, it probably does. So, it must have
>something to do with my computer.

I agree. It's your computah. I don't have enough info (make, model,
OS, software installed, etc) to nail it, but I think you're on the
right track.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

[Bob]

Jeff, thank you very much for all of the suggestions. I will store
your response on my laptop for the next time I encounter a problem.

Tom, I have tried reverting to the Microsoft connection manager and
encountered the same problems.

Bob

[jerrellcabell]

Wow,I just want to own one such high-end wireless speaker.In that case i can sing songs at home and don't need to the KTV.Like with the spread of cell phones,the wifi signal jammer which can be got from http://www.jammerinthebox.com/catego...Signal_Jammer/ is widely used in some special occasions and people don't need to turn off the cell phone because these devices will block the phone signals.