🚀 go-pugleaf

In alt.internet.wireless M.L. <me@privacy.net> wrote:
> I've been trying to connect my WinXP Pro SP2 laptop to one of the free
> wireless public hotspots offered by the Chicago Public Library but
> cannot get to the point where I can surf on the Internet. I get

Have you asked the librarian?
Have you tried opening a web browser?  
<http://www.chicagopubliclibrary.org/003cpl/computer/wifi/wifi.html>
"You must click the I AGREE button to connect to the Library's wireless
network."

> I disabled the WinXP firewall and completely turned off my regular
> firewall (freeware Agnitum Outpost) before trying to connect. I also
> turned off my antivirus and antispyware sentries.

I'd rather do without the internet than connect my laptop to a public place
without a firewall.  The number of attacks that I see in the firewall log
within moments of connecting is remarkable.  Maybe the library has a
firewall, where I was knowingly connected without one, but I still wouldn't
do it.

> When I "ipconfig /all" I get a valid (non 169.x.x.x) IP address, MAC
> address, and the DHCP and DNS servers give me expected values
> (however, Node Type = "unknown,' I can't get it to = 'broadcast').

<http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310570> 
set HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\
	Netbt\Parameters\EnableProxy to 0
(I don't have the Enable Proxy key in my registry.  Maybe because
ipconfig/all == "NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled"
<http://www.pctechnicians.ca/help/workgroup.html>
<http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=160177>
set HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\
	Netbt\Parameters\NodeType to 8
(I have DhcpNodeType in my registry, set to 8.)

> Turned off autoconfiguration options and proxy settings in the
> Internet Options->Connections setup (as recommended by the library's
> wireless FAQ), no difference.

Ahh, that's sort of like asking the librarian ;-)  
<http://www.chicagopubliclibrary.org/003cpl/computer/wifi/wififaqs.html>
"I can't get XP to connect with your wireless.
 Two very common problems are:
 On some XP laptops with both wireless and wired (Ethernet) connectivity,
 vendors ship with the "Network Bridge" turned on. You may need to Delete
 this (under Control Panel, Network Connections).
 
 Numerous problems have been reported with Windows XP Service Pack 1 that
 are resolved by Service Pack 2."

"Chicago Public Library system's 79 locations"
Have you tried a different library?

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Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA  38.8,-122.5