Library Home Page > Wireless/WiFi

Wireless Internet Access

Related library policies:

• Internet Use Policy

Wireless Internet access is available at all Fauquier County Public Library locations as well as the John Barton Payne Community Room. The public wireless network is filtered in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Please note that the library cannot assist you with your laptop, card, configuration or troubleshooting. The library cannot accept the liability of handling your equipment.

Requirements

If you are bringing in your own laptop and wish to use our Internet connection you will need:

• To agree to abide by the library's Internet use policy. You can request a copy of the policy from the adult reference desk;
• A WiFi-compliant 802.11b wireless Ethernet device installed in your laptop or a laptop with built-in WiFi capability;
• To configure your laptop to use the library's Internet connection (see settings and troubleshooting tips below);
• A charged battery. Specially designated electrical outlets are available in some, but not all areas of the library;
• Compatible headphones if you plan to use audio files.

Your computer *should* automatically detect the wireless signal if you're inside the library. When you've determined that you are connected to the library's network (Library Public Internet Access), open/double click on your Web browser (i.e., Internet Explorer).

Settings - Basic

Microsoft Windows
If your laptop does not automatically detect the library's wireless connection, you will need to configure your wireless connection settings to the following:

• Network type: Infrastructure Mode
• Disable WEP and/or WPA
• Enable DHCP or set up IP address to "auto connect"
• Restart your laptop for changes to take effect

MacOS
If you are using an Apple/Mac computer/operating system, please note that the library's wireless service has NOT been optimized for Apple/Mac users and you may need to implement one of the following in order to access the wireless network:

• Load the Firefox browser to access the library network. The Safari browser (default) may not compatible;
• If Firefox is not loaded, users can try the Boot Camp program which allows you to run Windows. This feature is only available on machines with newer Mac operating systems.

Settings - Advanced

Windows Vista (Note: This presumes that you have the appropriate permissions on your laptop to set up a wireless connection. You may need to consult documentation on enabling your administrator account using Vista.)

1. Access the Connect to a network dialog box. You can do this from several location:
   • Click on Start, and then Connect to from the Windows Vista desktop;
   • From the Manage wireless connections dialog box;
   • From the Connect/Disconnect context menu option of a wireless network adapter in the Network Connections folder;
2. Once you open the Connect to a network dialog box, you should see the library's wireless network listed. Highlight the library network and choose Connect;
3. After you connect to the library’s wireless network, a dialog box will display informing that you are connecting to an unsecured wireless network. Click Connect Anyway to proceed with the connection to the library’s wireless service;
4. Once Vista has connected to the library’s wireless network a dialog box will display telling you it has successfully connected to ‘library.’ Before closing the dialog box you will see a check box option labeled Save this network. This option will allow you to save this wireless network and even connect to it automatically every time you visit the library. This option is only recommended for experienced users of public wireless networks;
5. If this is your first time connecting to this wireless network or you choose to save your settings, Vista may display a dialog box asking you how you would like Vista to treat this new network. Clicking Public location for the library’s wireless service is recommended;
6. After you select how Vista should treat the library’s wireless service, you should see a dialog box telling you that the settings have been successfully set. At this point you can click Close and open your web browser to begin browsing the World Wide Web;

Windows XP

1. Go to Control Panel, and then select Network and Internet Connections;
2. Right-click Wireless Network Connection or Local Area Connection and click Properties;
3. Locate Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and access 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. Click OK twice to return to Network and Internet Connections;
6. Right-click Wireless Network Connection and select View Available Wireless Networks. Select the library's wireless network and click connect.

Mac OSX Network Settings

1. Select Apple Menu --> System Preferences --> Network button;
2. Select TCP/IP tab and configure Using DHCP;
3. Above the TCP/IP tab, you may need to configure via AirPort or other wireless (WiFi) Ethernet;
4. Leave Domain Name Servers and Search Domains blank;

Troubleshooting Tips

If you've made changes in your configuration/settings, you may have to restart your laptop for the changes to take effect.

Disable pop-up blockers on your laptop. Pop-ups may be blocked from a number of different sources including Internet Explorer, Norton Internet Security, Yahoo toolbar, Google toolbar and others.

Double check your browser settings - the system may be trying to connect through a proxy server. This is common in situations where the computer may be accessing a corporate LAN. The proxy server settings must be disabled to access the wireless public Internet.

If you're using Microsoft Internet Explorer, go to Tools > Internet Options > Connections > LAN Settings. Remove the checkmark from the box labeled "Use a Proxy Server." Click apply and then click OK.

The system may be trying to connect through a dial-up connection.

• If you're using Microsoft Internet Explorer, go to Tools > Internet Options > Connections > Dial-Up Settings. Click the option "Never dial a connection." Click apply and then click OK.

You may need to release and renew your IP address.

If you're using Microsoft Windows XP:

• Click the "Start" button and select "Run." Type "cmd" in the field and click the "OK" button. Note: If you're using Windows Vista, you must right-click command and run as an administrator.
• At the DOS prompt type "ipconfig / all" and press "Enter."
• At the DOS prompt type "ipconfig / release" and press "Enter."
• At the DOS prompt type "ipconfig / renew" and press "Enter."

If Windows Vista tells you a wireless connection failed:

• Verify you are attempting to connect to the library’s wireless network;
• Make sure that your wireless adapter is enabled. You can verify this by going to Start > Connect to. When the Connect to a network dialog window is displayed, click Open Network and Sharing Center. When that window opens, click on Manage network connections found on the left-hand side. Depending on your laptop, you may see multiple adapters available in this window. Right-click the adapter named Wireless Network Connection or something similar and click Enable (the icon will have a picture of two monitors with 5 escalating bars). Once your wireless adapter has been enabled, walk through the instructions for Vista settings above to see if this resolves your problem;
• If you have previously been able to connect to the library’s wireless network, check to see if you had saved the connection. There are occasional updates to the library’s wireless service that may require changes that a saved connection would not receive. Delete your existing connection and walk through the instructions to see if this resolves your problem.
• If it says you are connected, but cannot browse the web -- Mouse over the network icon in your taskbar, which is the icon with 2 monitors and a little globe (if the icon shows 2 monitors and a red ‘x’, you are not connected to the wireless network). With the mouse-pointer over the network icon, a notification box should display what you are currently connected to, your signal strength, and your Access type. Please verify that the Access type says Local and Internet.
• If the Access type says Local and Internet, but you still cannot browse the web -- Open Internet Explorer, click Tools, then click Internet Options. Click the Connections tab and then click the LAN settings button. Verify that no settings are checked and that all boxes in the Local Area Network (LAN) Settings dialog are unchecked. Reconnect to the library’s wireless network;
• If the Access type says Local only -- Go to Start > Connect to. When the Connect to a network dialog window is displayed, click Open Network and Sharing Center. When that window opens, click on Manage network connections found on the left-hand side. Depending on your laptop, you may see multiple adapters available in this window. Right-click the adapter named Wireless Network Connection or something similar and click Properties. The Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog will display. Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties. The Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties dialog will appear. Under the General tab, make sure that both Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically are selected. Reconnect to the library’s wireless network.

Limitations and Disclaimers

• Like most public wireless networks, the library network is not secure, therefore, appropriate precautions should be taken.
• Printing is not available using the library's wireless connection. Access a printer by using the library's public Internet workstations.
• Library staff is not able to provide technical assistance and no guarantee can be provided that you will be able to make a wireless connection.
• The library assumes no responsibility for the safety of equipment or for laptop configurations, security, or data files resulting from connection to the library's network.