Troubleshooting Guide

Library staff is unable to accept the liability of handling your computer, laptop, or other electronic device. If you are having trouble connecting to the free public Wi-Fi in the library, we suggest you review this troubleshooting guide for help. If you are still unable to connect to the wireless network, contact the manufacturer of your equipment.

Connection Tips

There are many wireless connections available in our area. Your computer may show several choices. For the State Law Library, choose the network named Judicial_Guest.

Your wireless card should be configured to get its TCP/IP network settings automatically via DHCP. Most of the time this option has already been selected in the network settings for your wireless card. See the network instructions below for configuring DHCP for your operating system.

Wireless Card Settings

Use the software that came with your wireless card or device to configure the settings.

SSID: Judicial_Guest
Password: changes monthly; request the password at the reference desk 

Network Settings

The following instructions are general guidelines. Try connecting to the wireless network before attempting any of the steps below. Many times the settings below have already been configured for your wireless card. Please keep in mind that there are many different wireless cards and laptop combinations available. The instructions below may not be exactly the same every situation, but the general concepts are the same for most computers. While these may not be the exact instructions for your device, there should be enough information here to help you with your configuration.

Windows 7

  1. From Control, select "View Network Status and Tasks"
  2. Select Change Adapter Settings then Wireless Network Connections
  3. Right-click on Properties
  4. Locate the internet TCP/IP protocol and get into its Properties. If more than one TCP/IP protocol is listed, look for the one associated with your wireless adapter
  5. Select "Obtain and IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically"
  6. Right-click on "Wireless Network Connection" and select "View Available Wireless Networks." Select the name of the wireless network available at the library and click "Connect." The network name (SSID) is Judicial_Guest.

Windows Vista

  1. Click on the Windows Logo at the bottom left of the screen (Formerly "Start")
  2. Go to "Control Panels"
  3. Click on Classic View
  4. Double click on "Network & Sharing Center"
  5. Under "Tasks" click "Connect to a Network"
  6. In the "Connect to a Network" window "Judicial_Guest" should be visible
  7. Select "Judicial_Guest" and click "connect"
  8. Launch your browser of choice to connect to the Internet.

Windows XP & Windows 2000

  1. From Control Panel, select "Network and Dial- up Connections" or "Network and Internet Connections"
  2. Right-click on "Wireless Network Connection" or "Local Area Connection" and click "Properties"
  3. Locate the internet TCP/IP protocol and get into its Properties. If more than one TCP/IP protocol is listed, look for the one associated with your wireless adapter
  4. Select "Obtain and IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically"
  5. For XP, right-click on "Wireless Network Connection" and select "View Available Wireless Networks." Select the name of the wireless network available at the library and click "Connect." The network name (SSID) is Judicial_Guest. 

Windows NT

  1. From Control Panel, double click on "Network"
  2. Locate the TCP/IP protocol and double click on "Properties." If more than one TCP/IP protocol is listed, look for the one associated with your wireless adapter.
  3. Select "Obtain an IP address from a DHCP server" and click "OK"
  4. From the Control Panel, select "Internet Options" then click on the "Connections" tab. If you also have a dial-up connection, it should not be set to "Always dial my default connection." LAN Settings should be "Automatically detect settings." And leave the Proxy server settings blank.

Windows 98

  1. From Control Panel, select Network
  2. Locate the TCP/IP protocol and go to Properties. If more than one TCP/IP protocol is listed, look for the one associated with your wireless adapter.
  3. For IP Address, select "Obtain an IP address automatically"
  4. For DNS, select "Disable DNS"
  5. For WINS, select "Use DHCP for WINS Resolution"

Macintosh OS/X

  1. Select Apple Menu, then System Preference, then Network button
  2. Select TCP/IP tab and configure "Using DHCP"
  3. Above the TCP/IP tab, you may need to configure via "AirPort" or other wireless (Wi-Fi) Ethernet
  4. Leave Domain Name Servers and Search Domains blank 

Macintosh OS 8 & 9

  1. Select: Apple Menu, then Control Panel, then TCP/IP
  2. Connect via "AirPort" or other wireless (Wi-Fi) ethernet
  3. Configure "Using DHCP Server"
  4. Leave Name Server and Additional Search domains blank

page last updated: 19 Jul 2023 5:00 PM