Shifty WiFi

[moribundman]

Frequently, when I attempt to connect with my internet tablet to to free public wifi, it doesn't work. Often a message pops up that says the ip number could not be retrieved. Signal strength is usually not an issue. What might be the problem?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Maybe the network (mainly the DHCP server) is overloaded?

 

[moribundman]

Well, in at least a few of those places, they aren't crowded and I didn't notice anyone with a wifi device. The wifi in those places is usually in the 30 to 75 meter range.

Sometimes the same thing happens at home when I connect to my own network. A modem reboot usually fixes it, although there are times when it doesn't work and I blame Earthlink (without having any evidence).

 

[greenaccord02]

Something to try next time this happens:

Go to Start>Run and type

"cmd" and press Enter (do not type quotation marks here or elsewhere, they only denote what should be typed.)

At the prompt, type

"ipconfig /release"

Press Enter and wait for the command to complete prompt to come up again. Then, type:

"ipconfig /renew"

when this command completes, you may have a connection




Or you might not.

 

[moribundman]

Why does it always end with having to use the terminal?

I'll give it a shot. Thanks!

 

[brianl703]

also try:

arp -d *

in the terminal.


I've noticed that Windows XP at least does not clear ARP entries when it connects to a different access point.

 

[oilboy123]

I have had problems in the past. Seems to work well lately.

I go to network connections and try to see the wireless network show up. If I don't see it I have it show me the networks in range. Then click on it to connect.

Maybe click on repair if that does not work.

 

[moribundman]

This is what I see when I open the terminal. I don't see "Start" or "Run." Help!

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: oilboy123
go to network connections and try to see the wireless network show up. If I don't see it I have it show me the networks in range. Then click on it to connect.

Maybe click on repair if that does not work.


Uh, obviously that's how I connect. I see all networks (secured and unsecured, public etc) that are within range, and I pick one. In the shown example I picked my own, although I could use my neighbor's connection -- not that I would do that.

There is no "repair" function.

 

[greenaccord02]

If you're tech savvy enough to run that OS, you probably don't need my help.

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: greenaccord02
If you're tech savvy enough to run that OS, you probably don't need my help.


Why? I have no issues using Maemo Diabolo. I have issues with tech geek stuff like the terminal.

 

[greenaccord02]

Just a minute... you didn't say you were running a *nix.

At terminal, type:

sudo dhcpcd -k

You will be prompted for root user password

At completion, type:

ifup eth0

Not sure how that's going to work on busybox if at all, but it might. If it doesn't work, leave out the 'sudo' and try that.

 

[moribundman]

I don't know what *nix is.

I don't know if I have full access to the terminal. I think I use a shell? I have "ssh," I think. I have "xterm" installed. The default password is "rootme," I think. I changed that months ago.

I am clueless as soon as I leave the GUI.

 

[greenaccord02]

*nix is a common term for things that are Unix like but not necessarily unix, for instance Linux, BSD and some others. BusyBox is a type of Linux commonly used on routers and other devices with the OS embedded on a chip.

the sudo prefix runs commands as Root, which is the linux version of windows' Administrator.

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: greenaccord02
At terminal, type:

sudo dhcpcd -k

You will be prompted for root user password

At completion, type:

ifup eth0

Not sure how that's going to work on busybox if at all, but it might. If it doesn't work, leave out the 'sudo' and try that.


What is that supposed to do?

 

[greenaccord02]

Basically turn off your network interface (your wireless card in this example) then turn it back on. The same as clicking 'repair' in windows basically.

 

[moribundman]

Okay, thanks. I'll try that next time I have that problem. Sorry for being an idiot regarding the puter -- it's just not my mug of beer!

 

[Papa Bear]

What's a "puter"....

 

[uc50ic4more]

Originally Posted By: Papa Bear
What's a "puter"....


Papa Bear -


"Puter" is an abbreviation of "Puter Dolls"... This oughtta clear things up: http://www.puterdolls.com/

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: Papa Bear
What's a "puter"....


Puter is to tater as potato is to computer

PS: Tell your offspring "privilege" has nothing to do with "edge," eh?