Ticket Options

Question Profile

Question Details

TICKET ARCHIVE -> connecting to wifi hotspots

jocelyn - Jul 14, 2007 - 9:35 am

I have a 1.33ghz power pc G4 running 10.4.9 with airport extreme firmware version 405.1 (3.90.34.0.p18). I leave it set on automatic to pick up any open wifi signals. My husband has just bought a new powerbook and we are travelling in an RV through the US. Most campgrounds now have wi-fi but although he can usually pick up a signal and log on with no problem I often am unable to (a) receive a signal or (b) I get the signal and it says I am connected but my browsers won't open up a page on the web (we use both safari and firefox)
Is there anything I can do to improve the performance or do I need a new laptop too? :-)
jocelyn

earthsaver - Jul 14, 2007 - 1:03 pm

Is your husband's a PowerBook or a MacBook Pro? The latter has better antennas and is more likely to pick up wifi signals than a PowerBook. As for (b), are your Network preferences set to DHCP/Automatic as well?

Alternatively, on occasions when he is able to get a signal and you can't, he can turn on Internet Sharing and you can connect to the Internet through his computer.

- Ben

jocelyn - Jul 14, 2007 - 9:11 pm

Hi Ben, Thanks for your prompt response. His laptop is a Macbook. Lucky man.
Yes i do have preferences set to DHCP/automatic.
Is there anything I can buy to improve the antennas on my powerbook?
I am worried about networking using airport when we are on a Rv site, wouldn't this mean that others could get into our systems too?
jocelyn

earthsaver - Jul 14, 2007 - 10:08 pm

If you have your firewall turned on (Sharing preferences), I would not be worried about anyone hacking into your systems. Wifi is breakable, but not by most users. As for antenna improvement, QuickerTek makes a variety of upgrades of this sort.

I would still recommend Internet Sharing as the less expensive option if you are always together when you're online.