Timberland Regional Library Logo

Locations/Hours | Library Catalog | Library Cards | TRL Info | Jobs
TeenZone | TimberKids | Reference Databases | Internet Resources | Home

? Ask a Librarian

TRL Communities
Search Engines
Great Reads
• Booklists
• PageTurners Book Discussions
Book Groups for Kids
• Book Groups for Teens
Timberland Reads
Together
E-Books
Events Calendar
Library News
TRL Foundation
Volunteers
Friends/Boards

Wireless Internet Access - General Setup Information
Frequently Asked Questions - General Setup Information for Vista

(Rev. 1/7/08)

These general instructions require that you know how to configure and restore settings on your own computer.

General Wireless Settings:

Use the software that came with your wireless card or computer to configure the settings.

  • SSID (network name) = "trlwireless" (without quotes)
  • Authentication = open
  • Encryption = disabled
  • Mode or Network Type = Infrastructure mode or Access Point - Not "Ad-Hoc" or "Peer-to-Peer"
  • New!  Important for All Systems

    • Your computer MUST allow pop-ups from the web address of the Wireless Guest Login page.
    • Your computer MUST accept third party cookies from the same address.
    • If you do not allow pop-ups and third party cookies, you will not be able to access the Internet.
    • The Power Management settings on your wireless card must be set to "None" or "Best Performance".

    Troubleshooting Network Settings:

    Windows 2000 & XP

    1. From Control Panel, select "Network and Dial-up Connections" or "Network and Internet Connections > Internet Connections."
    2. Right-click on "Wireless Network Connection" or "Local Area Connection" and click Properties.
    3. Locate the Internet TCP/IP protocol and go into its Properties. If more than one TCP/IP protocol is listed, look for the one associated with your wireless adapter.
    4. Select "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically."
    5. For XP, right click on "Wireless Network Connection" and select "View Available Wireless Networks." Select the "trlwireless" network and click "Connect."

    Windows NT

    1. From Control Panel, select Network.
    2. Locate the TCP/IP protocol and go into its Properties. If more than one TCP/IP protocol is listed, look for the one associated with your wireless adapter.
    3. Select "Obtain an IP address from a DHCP server" and click OK.

    Windows 98

    1. From Control Panel, select Network.
    2. Locate the TCP/IP protocol and go into its Properties. If more than one TCP/IP protocol is listed, look for the one associated with your wireless adapter.
    3. For IP Address, select "Obtain an IP address automatically."
    4. For DNS, select "Disable DNS."
    5. For WINS, select "Use DHCP for WINS Resolution.

    Internet Explorer Tips

    1. Depending on your version of software, there may be variations in the procedures.
    2. If you also use a dial-up connection, do not set it to "Always dial my default connection."
    3. LAN Settings should be "Automatically detect settings" and leave the Proxy server settings blank.

    Macintosh OS X  (Tested with Macbook and OSX 10.4.8.  Other Apple configurations may vary)

    1. Select: Apple Menu > System Preferences > Network Button.
    2. For Location select "Automatic".
    3. For Show select "AirPort".
    4. Select TCP/IP tab and for Configure IPv4 select "Using DHCP."
    5. Click on Options.
    6. Click OK.  Click Apply Now.  Close the System Preferences window.
    7. Make sure that Airport is turned on and "trlwireless" is selected.

    Macintosh OS 8 & 9

    1. Select: Apple Menu > Control Panel > TCP/IP.
    2. Connect via "AirPort" or other wireless (WiFi) ethernet.
    3. Configure "Using DHCP Server."
    4. Leave Name Server and Additional Search domains blank.
    Safari Tips
    1. You must configure Safari to accept cookies and pop-up windows from the Wireless Access Point.
    2. Choose Preferences from the Safari menu and click Security.
    3. Click "Only from sites you navigate to" or always accept cookies to prevent storing cookies that come from websites other than those you open.
    4. Be sure that the "Block pop-up windows" checkbox is not selected.

    If your connection keeps dropping, turn off power management for the wireless card.

    Power Management Procedures for Windows:

    1. Right-click the Wireless Networking icon in the system tray and pick Open Network Connections.
    2. Right-click and pick Properties from the Wireless Network Connections item.
    3. On the General tab, click the Configure button next to the Connect Using wireless adapter name box.
    4. Depending on your wireless adapter, disable Power Management or set it to Maximum Performance/Minimum Power Savings. (A wireless adapter uses about 25% of the power of a wired adapter. This power consumption change will be negligible.)

    New!  Power Management Procedures for Apple Macbook:

    1. Open "System Preferences" and click on "Energy Saver".
    2. Click on the dropdown menu labeled "Settings for:"
      1. If you will be running on the battery, click on Battery.
      2. If you will have the power cord plugged in, click on "Power Adapter".
    3. Click the dropdown menu labeled "Optimization" and click on "Better Performance".

    These procedures were tested with the Apple Macbook and OS X (version 10.4.10). Other OS versions and laptop models may vary.

    There are known software issues with Mac OS X versions 10.4.9 and up that can cause problems with some or all wireless access points. These settings have been tested but may not work for all users.

     

    Revised 05/05/08


    For Information or to Ask a Reference Question:  Ask A Librarian
    Or, Call 704-INFO (360-704-4636) in the Olympia area or 1-800-562-6022

    Contact us   Report a Broken Link  Suggest a Link

    Timberland Regional Library serves Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston counties in Western Washington State.