🚀 go-pugleaf

>> 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."

Where is that button or link located? It's not on the above-mentioned
page. I asked a clerk at the downtown library today if there was
anything I needed to set online beforehand, but she didn't know of
any.

>> 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.)

I don't understand what the above settings are doing for me. The
directions I've read don't require me to modify the registry settings.

>> 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).

I can't find any network bridge setting.

> Numerous problems have been reported with Windows XP Service Pack 1 that
> are resolved by Service Pack 2."

As mentioned above, I have already installed XP2.

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

I've now visited 4 libraries, including the main one downtown.

Thanks for your reply. Sorry I couldn't reply earlier.