Intermittent WiFi only on my schools network

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Level 1

11 points

Intermittent WiFi only on my schools network

I searched through previous posts regarding intermittent Wifi and have yet to find a solution. My macbook pro (2.33GHz intel core 2 duo, 4 GB GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, OSX: 10.6.4) has no issues connecting to my home network but at school only occasionally connects. This is a new problem, I had minimal issues over the summer but that may have been the schools network and not my laptop. I did recently install snow leopard and complete all updates. I am at 2 different schools and have the same issues on both networks.

Here is the login info for one:
Instructions for MAC Users

1. Click the Apple Icon (top left corner of the screen)
2. Select System Preferences
3. Under Internet & Network, Click on Network
4. From the Show Field, Select AirPort
5. Make sure Airport tab is selected
6. Place a check mark in the box next to "Show AirPort status in menu bar"
7. Close the Network window
8. Click on the Airport Wave Icon (Top right corner of the screen)
9. Make sure the AirPort option is turned ON
10. Click on the Wave Icon again, Select KSU Wireless
11. In the Password field, type "kennesaw"
12. Click OK
13. Click the Safari, Firefox, Opera, etc. Icon from the Dock (menubar bottom of the screen)
14. The KSU Wireless Network Access screen will appear
15. Enter your NetID & Password
16. Click Log In

The other does not require a password.

Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Sep 23, 2010 3:55 AM

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Answer 1

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Sep 23, 2010 5:12 AM in response to kevnm67

And what happens when you try to connect? What is the prompt?

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Answer 2

kevnm67 Author

Level 1

11 points

Sep 23, 2010 5:21 AM in response to sig

I see the network with full bars and I choose to connect via wifi. It seems to be connected but when I try to open safari or firefox I am unable to access any webpages. It times out and displays the error message stating to check your connection or check network settings. I've tried turning it off and on, restarting, manually entering in licenses and renewing them. It's a phantom connection. I've also compared my settings to a friend with a MacBook pro, which didn't do anything

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Answer 3

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Sep 23, 2010 8:20 AM in response to kevnm67

"I see the network with full bars and I choose to connect via wifi."

Right after that do System Preferences>Network>Advanced>TCP/IP. Have you an IP address?

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Answer 4

kevnm67 Author

Level 1

11 points

Sep 23, 2010 9:22 AM in response to sig

I am not at school now but I did check to see if I had an IP and it was there.

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Answer 5

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Sep 23, 2010 10:16 AM in response to kevnm67

So you are connected to the school's network. You problem is getting into the internet. It might be a DNS issue so try this: System Preferences>Network>Advanced>DNS. Click the + sign in the left side column and add the following:
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
Click OK, then click Apply.
You should set up different locations on the Mac wherever you go for wifi. This way you just select the location and your settings are saved and you don't have to reconfigure your settings every time you go to a different place. Passwords can be saved as well.

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Answer 6

kevnm67 Author

Level 1

11 points

Sep 25, 2010 4:30 AM in response to sig

I tried entering in those numbers with no success. Yesterday I went to the IT guys and they couldn't figure it out either. I have a good IP address and my setting seem to be correct but it won't open any webpages. After 20-30 minutes of troubleshooting with them, it finally connected but when I left their building and opened it back up in the library, it wouldn't connect. They said they recently changed some network things and macs have had trouble but they are able to connect after turning airport on and off or after some time. My computer, however, does not.

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