The Metropolitan Online - October 2005

Having a home office has its advantages—chief among them is the fact that I have a dedicated space for computer work, away from the normal hustle and bustle of my house. With two small children, a dog and a cat, it’s nice to have a space dedicated for schoolwork, business and computer time.

That is…until the cat crawls up on my lap, followed by the dog, and then hordes of screaming children invade my office. In these moments, I’m thankful I have a laptop with wireless capability. I can load up my work, my laptop and a gallon or two of Mountain Dew, and head to campus, where I’ll be able to work in relative peace and tranquility.

Recently, I discovered the wireless network available at both Midway and St. Paul Campuses. I happened to have my wireless network card with me and plugged it in to see if I could connect. My laptop discovered the signal instantly, and I set about to surf the Net with wireless glee. Until I launched my browser, that is. The dreaded “Page Cannot Be Displayed” error stared back at me. While this, alone, isn’t a terrible inconvenience, the lack of information on how to access the network can be. In addition to the frustration I experienced in the campus library, I also attempted to use the “free” wireless network offered at a local coffee shop. After setting up my laptop and following the convenient two-page instruction manual tucked between the sweetener and the ashtray, I spent 15 minutes wrestling with a connection that was anything but constant. When I finally asked the barista for assistance, he informed me that I needed to log in to their network via a special portal, and with an ID and password that they would provide. Nowhere in the instructions did it reference this information, nor did it instruct me to seek help; it simply pointed me at the wireless Internet with graphic images of smiling, caffeinated Web surfers. Convenience, indeed.

Most of the time, wireless Internet can be convenient, and relatively easy to access. If it’s not, here are some tips to help you troubleshoot a wireless connection problem:

Launch your Web browser.
Many places have a default page that will display when you attempt to access their wireless networks for the first time. These pages can provide instructions on how to access the network or configure your system for access, if necessary.

Change your default homepage.
Because in many cases, you’ll need to sign in to the wireless network before you can access it, you’ll receive the “Page Cannot Be Displayed” error when you launch your browser. This is because you haven’t been granted access to the network yet.

If there is a default access page for the wireless network you’re attempting to access, change your homepage to display that page, or manually type the address into your browser.

Find the “hot spot"
Many networks have wide range—but that doesn’t mean that you won’t have trouble getting a strong signal. Fluorescent light fixtures, computer terminals, or other electronics may cause the signal to be weak or cause interference. The best bet is to find a spot with a strong, constant signal, and try to access the network from there.

Restart your computer
As silly as it sounds, your wireless card may not have picked up the network signal. Restarting your computer or moving to a seat closer to the main access point can make a difference.

Pester someone
Don’t rely on the instructions. In most cases, I’ve found them to be anything but helpful. It could be as simple as trying to access the right Webpage, to log in and gain access.

I hope that these wireless internet access tips will help avoid frustration you as you explore the wild world of Wi-fi. Happy surfing!

Got a tech issue or question? Contact Craig at metropolitan_webguy@comcast.net.

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