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Refurb MBP wireless question

1667 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  tomtom, 
T
I've been lurking on the board for quite some time and it's been a great source of information for me. Haven't contributed ,mainly because I'm on really slow dial-up. High speed isn't available even tho' I live on a major highway.
I've just bought a refurb 15" MBP 2.2 and can use the local library for high speed.
On my first visit I punched in the password and was instantly connected, downloaded the software updates in minutes----would have taken days at home!!
Next visit I didn't even have to use the password---heaven!!
Then yesterday it wouldn't connect!!
It could see the network.
Tried various locations.
Tried with mains and battery only. A macbook and powerbook were connected fine.
I'm going again today---is there anything I'm not doing or doing wrong? I've never had a laptop before.
I know there were wireless issues with the MBP but I thought I'd waited long enough for these to be resolved.
Sorry for the long post---any help appreciated before I call Apple.

cheers Tom
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TrevX
tomtom said:
I've been lurking on the board for quite some time and it's been a great source of information for me. Haven't contributed ,mainly because I'm on really slow dial-up. High speed isn't available even tho' I live on a major highway.
I've just bought a refurb 15" MBP 2.2 and can use the local library for high speed.
On my first visit I punched in the password and was instantly connected, downloaded the software updates in minutes----would have taken days at home!!
Next visit I didn't even have to use the password---heaven!!
Then yesterday it wouldn't connect!!
It could see the network.
Tried various locations.
Tried with mains and battery only. A macbook and powerbook were connected fine.
I'm going again today---is there anything I'm not doing or doing wrong? I've never had a laptop before.
I know there were wireless issues with the MBP but I thought I'd waited long enough for these to be resolved.
Sorry for the long post---any help appreciated before I call Apple.

cheers Tom
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Did they perhaps change the encryption or the password? The first time you connect to a password protected wireless connection Mac OS X will cache that password in the keychain (this explains why you didn't need to enter it the second time you visited). However, if the password has changed then Mac OS X will keep trying to use the cached one. Go into /Applications/Utilities and look for Keychain. Open it, find the Wireless network you connected to previously and delete its entry. The next time you go to the Library it will prompt you for the password again. Make sure its correct and try it.

Trev
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T
The password was the same. I don't think they ever change it. Thanks for reply.

Tom
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T
Be sure your MacBook hasn't drifted to another wireless signal that it thinks it should be connecting to. There should be a wireless icon in your menu bar at the top of the screen. Be sure your MacBook is trying to connect to the library's wireless signal and not another signal that it can "hear."
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T
It was the only signal. Signals are few and far between 'round here. Didn't get to the library today but did call applecare. They said they couldn't help unless I called at the time I experienced the problem.

Tom
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fyrefly
MacBooks Wifi are tricky -- I've found this with both MBs and MBPros.

I would say try restarting your computer to see if it will connect after a restart. Sometimes you can also try turning off the airport and then turning it back on.

I know these sound like weirdo solutions, and they shouldn't happen, but I've found Airport to be like this -- even on iBooks and Powerbooks. :S
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T
Tried those things too. Hopefully can get to a signal again tomorrow and will see how it goes.

Tom
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T
Haven't been back to the library yet but did get to the parking lot of a local resort. On startup my MBP stated that none of my trusted networks (presumably the library ) were available but would I like to connect to xyz. Machine connected fine so hopefully the episode in the library was a minor glitch.Thanks for inputs.

Tom
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C
I wouldn't be so quick to blame your notebook for the problem. Perhaps the problem is with the library -- were others connecting wirelessly when you were having difficulty?
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fyrefly
Glad to hear that it was (hopefully) a limited incident.

And yeah, like crawford said -- it can be the wireless network itself. Sometimes the router needs a reset.
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T
Back to the library and problem solved. There were people connected last time but apparently after I left no one was able to log on. Something about their router password needing to be changed after so many users. Anyway, new password and no problem.
thanks again, Tom
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