Keep getting prompted for wireless password

May 31, 2007 5:53 PM

When I use the wireless network at my local library with my ibook, I am continually prompted for a password and username, and although the signal strength remains reasonably constant, pages often fail to load. Can I do anything to fix it?

The network is an open wireless network, but there is a HTTP username and password required. When I first start up the browser (Safari), I am prompted for these, and it loads up the page. However, as I browse about, it will often ask for these again, and for some sites, will request repeatedly (as it tries to load all the different ads on a page, for example).

It also often 'stalls' when loading pages, the status bar either stops part way and nothing more happens, or it stops showing a status bar, but there is nothing loaded (blank page).

I have used my ibook with many other wireless networks, and don't have this problem with any others. I find it extremely frustrating as this is the easiest place for me to get net access, but it is horrible to use.

Is there a setting that will stop me having to continually enter the password? I don't really understand this keychain thing with macs, is that something that would fix it? What about the stalling (maybe related?)? Is this something that the library should fix at their end?

The librarians don't seem able to answer my questions.

posted by AnnaRat to computers & internet (3 comments total)

Turning on 'enable interference robustness' in your AirPort settings might help. Also, try moving to different places in the building.
posted by sindark at 6:00 PM on May 31, 2007

Get closer to the wireless router and it should help. It isn't your computer. Its the network.

Saving the library's username/password in your keychain will make it so you don't have to enter it each time. Until they change it. However, the stalls and wanting to re-acquire the network means you're getting a weak signal. Moving closer should give you pages a faster download.

The library could also be be running some filtering/proxy/firewall thing that is stalling and causes your pages to download slowly or not at all. If you see someone else with a computer accessing the network -- even if they are running Windows -- ask if they are having similar problems. If you both complain to the library they might be able to get someone out to fix it.
posted by birdherder at 6:27 PM on May 31, 2007

When you say that the signal strength is "reasonably constant", does that mean "constantly good" or "constantly bad"?

If the signal strength is poor, then yes, moving closer to the access point and tweaking AirPort settings are both good things to try. If the signal strength is good, then the problem would seem to be in the library's proxy, and they'll have to fix it.
posted by bac at 7:28 PM on May 31, 2007