Wifi Adapter

Cherokeekid88

Cherokeekid88

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2007
Location
High Point, NC
Ok, So I DON'T have internet service but I did go out and buy a wifi adapter yesterday from Office Depot. spoke with the guy and told him my plans....basically, I want to get around paying for internet. There is an open network provided by the apartment complex that I live in and I can connect to it, but I cannot get online. The signal strength is Excellent and like I said its an open secure network, but I just can't go to any websites. I have my Evo which I use for internet as well and is part of the reason I don't want to pay for internet service, just to not add another bill. Any idea why I am not able to connect to the internet even though the wifi adapter is picking up on the signal and connecting to it? Also, if I DO have to get internet service, who has the cheapest best deal with no contract?
 
Hold on there buddy!

If you can connect, and have Excellent signal strength, then you should be able to get online.
Explain "open secure", that is an oxymoron.
"Open" means anybody can connect w/o any password, encryption key, etc. Very unlikely this is how it is set up.
More likely it is set for WEP or some other encryption scheme which requires a "key", which will be a password or code of some kind which the management will give you.

This to me sounds like your PC has found the router and you are connected to the complex WiFi router, but it is not letting you "through" b/c the key or some other settings haven't been configured right. Get the specifics of the configuration. Once it is, you'll be online...

Don't go buying anything until you get that resolved.
 
RatLabGuy said:
Hold on there buddy!

If you can connect, and have Excellent signal strength, then you should be able to get online.
Explain "open secure", that is an oxymoron.
"Open" means anybody can connect w/o any password, encryption key, etc. Very unlikely this is how it is set up.
More likely it is set for WEP or some other encryption scheme which requires a "key", which will be a password or code of some kind which the management will give you.

This to me sounds like your PC has found the router and you are connected to the complex WiFi router, but it is not letting you "through" b/c the key or some other settings haven't been configured right. Get the specifics of the configuration. Once it is, you'll be online...

Don't go buying anything until you get that resolved.
Click to expand...
You know how when you go to Mcdonalds they offer free wifi and you can just connect to it without a WEP key? this is what it is...The wifi adapter has found the signal and it says 100% and the signal strength is excellent. I will go and connect to it and it says that I am connected, but when I go to click on the internet explorer....no go. I know nothing really about computers, so I am stuck and I want to be able to get on the web...they have blocked alot of my normal everyday sites at work now, so I can't go to alot of them.
 
Some apartments require you to register your computer. As was previously said, speak to your rental office, they should e able to help.
 
Cheapest and fastest do not go together when talking about anything ..... even more so with internet service.


Matt
 
Any chance the open network your computer is finding have "-guest" on the end?
 
transman731 said:
you have "limited connectivity" is what it sounds like. ask your apartment manager or a neighbor if there is a code.
the open part means that it is able to be reconized by wifi adapters, it doesn't mean you don't need a code.
Click to expand...

yes, this is what I'm saying. Just b/c you can connect dosn't mean it is going to let you have access. You need to get info from them on codes etc.

Cherokeekid88 said:
well if I cant get it figured out, who has the cheapest, fastest internet service per month?
Click to expand...

For a young guy who just moved out on his own, you are too eager to spend money. Calm down and see if you can get this resolved first. I assure you, there is an access problem here...
 
Besides ..... Greensboro is full of free internet. Starbucks and such could be a nice way to unwind at the end of the day.
That would be internet for 2 bucks a day ...... waaaaaay cheaper than you'll find cable speed.

I just spent several days camping near Carolina Beach and I made sure I had time for a Port City Java run every day.

Matt
 
RatLabGuy said:
yes, this is what I'm saying. Just b/c you can connect dosn't mean it is going to let you have access. You need to get info from them on codes etc.
For a young guy who just moved out on his own, you are too eager to spend money. Calm down and see if you can get this resolved first. I assure you, there is an access problem here...
Click to expand...
I would love to be able to to not have to pay for it since it is there for me to use. I just want to be able to look up stuff if I need to. Its just alot of hassle looking up important stuff on my phone all the time.

The thing is...I don't know where to begin finding out what the problem is. I downloaded the software that came with the adapter and followed the instructions to a T. I just don't know where to begin....
 
Cherokeekid88 said:
The thing is...I don't know where to begin finding out what the problem is... I just don't know where to begin....
Click to expand...

Well here is a start...

Wreckingball said:
Some apartments require you to register your computer. As was previously said, speak to your rental office, they should e able to help.
Click to expand...

Instead of asking a bunch of bozos on a 4x4 forum, go talk to the people that actually provide the service... ask them if there is a login ID or key required.
 
Internet isn't always just plug in and go, especially at apartments. Do exactly what I said and I'd almost bet my rig that you will be surfing in no time. Considering the large amount of people in greensboro your apartment complex probably set up some sort of virtual private network so just residents have access.
 
Cherokeekid88 said:
You know how when you go to Mcdonalds they offer free wifi and you can just connect to it without a WEP key? this is what it is...The wifi adapter has found the signal and it says 100% and the signal strength is excellent. I will go and connect to it and it says that I am connected, but when I go to click on the internet explorer....no go. I know nothing really about computers, so I am stuck and I want to be able to get on the web...they have blocked alot of my normal everyday sites at work now, so I can't go to alot of them.
Click to expand...

Even at McDonalds you still have to register your computer with their wifi... So when you connect to the wifi, you dont have to enter a password. From there, you open your browser (i.explorer/firefox/chrome) and your browser will automatically redirect to their local IP address where you register and accept the terms and conditions to use their free wifi. From there you are connected and will be able to surf.

I doubt your complex has this routing method. My friends apartment has open wifi - no PW, just connect and surf. It has poor signal and incredibly slow speeds. Now - IMPORTANT - are you showing "Connected" but with "Limited to No Access" then you will not be able to get on the internet (which sounds like your issue). This will show you have full signal but the red flag should be a red "X" showing on the icon at the bottom right of the running icons.

Your only bet is to talk to the office and see if they have any restrictions on connecting to their internet. "Limewhale_guest" doesnt sound like an apartment access point.

If you want to go an alternative route, depending on which phone carrier you have you mentioned you have a smart phone. To use the internet on it it will cost a fortune BUT there is a way around it. You get the internet data package on your phone, but dont connect that way b/c they have a data cap. Instead you can d/l an app that lets you tether off of another connection so you dont get raped by the usage fees.

Cell phones now are mini computers, so take your droid of whatever smartphone you have, turn on the phone wifi, and try connecting that way. That will eliminate any connection questions you have on the computer.

Find out from your complex about the pass code and report back. Best of luck!

PS - AT&T has DSL for $30 p/m no contract.. I havent payed my bill in 2 months and Im still connected! :shaking:
 
I know with all the networks i find with my Iphone, i can never connect to a -guest. Its a signal some routers send out. You will not be able to connect to that one, you will have to get the passcode for the other one you computer should be finding with the same name but with out the -guest.
 
Turns out, the complexs' wifi is out of my range. I took my phone over to the clubhouse and tried to see what I could pick up and I saw it and connected to it no problem...get back over to my apartment and its out of range.....So I am gonna try the tethering first to see if I can get that to work and if not...then Ill just pony up the money and get some legit interweb....
 
Cherokeekid88 said:
Turns out, the complexs' wifi is out of my range. I took my phone over to the clubhouse and tried to see what I could pick up and I saw it and connected to it no problem...get back over to my apartment and its out of range.....So I am gonna try the tethering first to see if I can get that to work and if not...then Ill just pony up the money and get some legit interweb....
Click to expand...
Why not just tell them they need to provide you some netterwebz since you're paying rent?
 
If ya need any help look me up, ill be happy to get ya connected
 
Are you sure the signal is from the complex you pay rent to? Just by reading this is sounds like you are trying to avoid talking to anyone at the coplex about it like you are trying to get away with something...
 
Pinkston said:
Are you sure the signal is from the complex you pay rent to? Just by reading this is sounds like you are trying to avoid talking to anyone at the coplex about it like you are trying to get away with something...
Click to expand...
actually. I am good friends with the leasing manager. He told me that he doesn't know anything about the network and that the other manager isn't that great to talk to...she is far less likely to help you out on something like this.
 
Cherokeekid88 said:
actually. I am good friends with the leasing manager. He told me that he doesn't know anything about the network and that the other manager isn't that great to talk to...she is far less likely to help you out on something like this.
Click to expand...

Souds like a nice establishment.... :rolleyes:
 
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