Connecting to Public Wireless Networks

[Melissa]

I'm running Vista and I'm able to connect to my home wireless network without
any problems, but I cannot connect to public wifi. My computer finds the
networks and shows full signal strength, but when attempting to connect to
them it is unsuccessful. The error message says "unable to connect, received
no response from wireless network". Any ideas on what the problem may be?

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

HI
When trying to connect to open public hotspot you Wireless has to be open.
I.e No pass phrase or special "connect to" setting.
On the other hand, your Wireless might be Open but some Hotspots are Not,
and you might need special credentials to log to them.
I.e. in order to connect whatever conditions are available there must be a
perfect match.
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[Melissa]

The public wireless hotspots that I am trying to connect to are "open," (for
example, the hotspot at my college and at my work), others are able to
connect to them but I am not. I'm not sure what you mean by my Wireless being
open, can you clarify that for me?