Help and troubleshooting
You can use this wireless connection from your own laptop, PDA, smartphone, or other 802.11b (Wi-Fi) wireless device. If your computer doesn't find the wireless access point on its own, make sure your wireless settings are correct.
Correct settings:
| Network name or SSID: | Sonoma County Library |
| Wireless Mode or Network Type: | Access Point or Infrastructure (not "Ad Hoc") |
| Network properties: | Use DHCP (Obtain an IP address automatically) |
| WEP/WPA: | Disabled |
If you normally use a different Wi-Fi network (with a different SSID) your computer may not find our network automatically. Try opening your wireless settings and starting a new network scan, or changing the settings by typing in the information above. You may also need to restart your computer after changing the settings.
Once your settings are correct and your computer finds the wireless access point, open up your web browser. Depending on the model of network equipment at your library branch, you will get a login page asking for your email address, or a page displaying just the terms of service. To log in, type your email address and click the Log In button. To agree to the terms of service, click the OK button.
Special notes:
- If you normally use a different Wi-Fi network (with a different SSID)
your computer may not find our network automatically.
- Only the 802.11b wireless protocol is available.
- Library staff is unable to provide technical support. Please see the
troubleshooting links at the bottom of this page for additional help.
- Only devices with web browsers can reach our login page. Devices that cannot reach
our login page will not be able to use the wireless Internet connection.
- Some wireless cards and laptops simply do not work with our wireless access points. We have found no pattern of specific brands or models that don't work at the Library; the same laptops work fine everywhere else. Unfortunately, we do not currently have any way to correct this issue.
- Windows 7 users: see the special note on Windows 7 security settings
Problem messages:
If you get "A valid IP address could not be determined" message,
then there is most likely a problem with the wireless service.
If you let the
reference librarian or circulation desk staff know when this occurs,
they can notify the technical staff.
Support and troubleshooting pages from laptop/PDA makers:
- Apple users - AirPort support pages
- Windows users - Microsoft support pages - try searching support for "wi-fi"
- Palm users - Palm support pages
Back to main wireless information page