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Library services: Wifi instructions

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Free wifi is available at every Dallas Public Library location. Library staff are not able to assist you to resolve problems you may experience in attempting to connect to our free, wireless Internet service.  However, the following instructions are provided as a guide in how to make the service work for you. Apple MacIntosh Apple iPhone or iPod Touch Windows Vista Windows XP Windows 2000

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Windows Vista

1. Click on the Windows button in the bottom left corner of the desktop.
2. Click on "Connect To".
3. Under "Select a network to connect to", dalpublic should appear, as shown below.
4. Highlight dalpublic and click Connect.

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Windows XP

Note: Most Windows wireless network adapters automatically find the SSID (Service Set Identifier, or, in other words, they automatically detect the network information.) You can test this by opening up a web browser, and see if the logon screens appear. If not, follow these instructions:

1. Click on the Start, Settings, Control Panel.
2. Double click on the Network connection.
3. Locate the Wireless Network Adapter Icon and double click on it.
4. Click on Properties.
5. Click on Wireless Network tab at the top of the windows.
6. Make sure the "use windows to configure my wireless network settings" radio button is checked.
7. Click on OK, then click OK again.
8. Open your browser and the logon screen should appear.

(If it does not, you may wish to use one of our public access computers.)

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Windows 2000

Note: Most Windows wireless network adapters automatically find the SSID (Service Set Identifier, or, in other words, they automatically detect the network information.) You can test this by opening up a web browser, and see if the logon screens appear. If not, follow these instructions:

1. Click on the Start, Settings, Control Panel.
2. Double click on the Network icon.
3. Click on the Properties button, then click on the Advanced tab at the top of the window.
4. Click once on the SSID, in the list of settings, and make sure the SSID is set to dalpublic.
5. Click on the operating mode. Check to make sure that this is set to infrastructure.
6. Make sure the encryption level is set to None.
7. Click OK, then click on OK again.
8. You should not have to restart your computer, but if it asks, do so.
9. Open your browser and the logon screen should appear.

(If it does not, you may wish to use one of our public access computers.)

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Apple MacIntosh

Note: If your MacIntosh has built in AirPort, there is no installation and there are no additional settings to be made. You only need to turn AirPort on and make a note of the AirPort ID number.

1. If you are using MAC OS X, at the Menu Bar, select the AirPort status icon and choose an available AirPort network.
2. If you are using MAC OS 9, click on the AirPort Control strip module to activate AirPort and select an available AirPort network.

(If it does not, you may wish to use one of our public access computers.)

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Apple iPhone or iPod Touch

The first thing to try is to renew the "DHCP lease." If this does not work, try "resetting the network settings." Details can be found here: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1398 (opens in new window).

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