Searching and Connecting for a Wireless Network

Automatic Connection

1. Bring your Wi-Fi-enabled device (laptop, PDA, cell phone) to the library.
2. Power up your device as you would normally.
3. Your device should automatically search for any available wireless networks within range.
4. You then will probably see a window that will tell you what wireless networks were found. See Image 3 in “Connecting to a Wireless Network Manually.”
5. Your device will then either connect automatically, or you might have to select which network you would like to connect to. See Image 3 in “Connecting to a Wireless Network Manually.”
6. When a connection is established you may see a warning that you are connected to an unsecured network. Don’t worry, this is normal.
7. Once you connect to the library’s wireless network you should be able to open up your browser and surf the Internet as you would at home.

Connecting to a Wireless Network Manually

Step 1.
Right-click the wireless network connection icon in your taskbar.

Step 2.
Click View Available Wireless Networks.

Step 3.
The Wireless Network Connection dialog box appears. If no networks appear, click “Refresh Network List” in the upper left corner. Choose a network by clicking on its name, and then click “Connect.” Windows XP will briefly change the network’s connection status to “Acquiring Network Address”, and then to “Connected.” You can now close the “Wireless Network Connection” dialog box.

Things to Consider

Unsecured Public Networks
The public wireless network provided at the San Antonio Public Library is unsecured. This means that while it’s easy to access (you don’t have to provide a key) other people using the same network might be able to see any activity occurring on your device. Information that knowledgeable users might be able to glean from those activities include user name, passwords, e-mail messages, and possibly the websites you are visiting.

Connection Strength
The strength of your connection to the WiFi network will depend on how close you are to the access point and any obstructions (walls, doors, etc.) that are between you and it. The lower your signal strength, or the fewer bars you see on your connection, the more likely you will be to lose your connection to the network. If you do lose your connection, you should get a notification from Windows and an automatic reconnection will probably be attempted.

For more information call 207-2500. Download the WiFi Guide.

Portions of this document were taken from information on the following website:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/netwimprovements.mspx