brooksideglassman
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: macbook won't connect at 2 local public access cafes

My macbook will not connect at 2 local public access cafes. It has worked for years at these places before. It works at home and some other public connections. Many other users are connecting fine at the same places. I have not messed with anything in my settings.

MacBook Pro 2.4 GHz intel core 2

Posted on Sep 27, 2014 8:01 AM

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brooksideglassman

Q: macbook won't connect at 2 local public access cafes

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  • by sterling r,

    sterling r sterling r Sep 30, 2014 6:55 AM in response to brooksideglassman
    Community Specialists
    Sep 30, 2014 6:55 AM in response to brooksideglassman

    Hey there brooksideglassman,

     

    It sounds like there are 2 Wi-Fi networks you cannot connect to. I would recommend using the Wireless Diagnostics if you are using Mac OS X 10.8 or 10.9.

     

    About Wireless Diagnostics

     

    If not, then use the troubleshooting in this article instead:

     

    Wi-Fi: How to troubleshoot Wi-Fi connectivity

     

    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

    All the best,

    Sterling

  • by brooksideglassman,

    brooksideglassman brooksideglassman Sep 30, 2014 5:48 PM in response to sterling r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 30, 2014 5:48 PM in response to sterling r

    I have 10.6.8 so the first tool doesn't apply The second approach is not really a logical procedure considering my description. I know this because i went through it again and it applies to 1) inability to connect, ( I can connect at home and some other locations) 2) selecting the right wifi source( did that) 3) password ( neither location has a password)  4) TC/IP issues ( my settings were unchanged and in accord with diagnostic recommendations)

     

    In other words the troubleshoot WI-FI connectivity  procedure doesn't help. According to that I should connect just fine. Thanks for the suggestion and maybe I  am still missing something? I will be at one of these cafes tomorrow and see if I can connect.

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Sep 30, 2014 6:03 PM in response to brooksideglassman
    Level 9 (61,390 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 30, 2014 6:03 PM in response to brooksideglassman

    Many, many preferences are included in a particular setup for WiFi. These are all kept together in a package Apple calls a "Location". While many times you can get by making incremental changes to a single default "Location", sometimes that just stops working.

     

    When you get to the cafe, I recommend you use:

    System preferences > Network > WiFi > ( Assist me ) > ( Assistant ) ...

     

    to set it up again with a new "Location" (with a name tied to where you are trying to connect at that moment.) Answer the questions, and it will add your choices to a New "Location" and save them for the next time you are there. Doing this allows you to jettison any pre-conceived notions or settings that may be hidden in the default "Location", and interfering with your ability to connect. Remember to click the  (Apply ) button when you are done to let the changes take effect. Occasionally, a Restart is required to make everything work.

     

    When you get home, choose the default "Location" that was working at home, and all should be back to "normal" at that Location.