Connecting to the Wireless Network in a Reinhardt Residence Hall

Connecting to the new Wireless network is very simple if you are using Windows XP or newer. For those of you using Windows 2000 or earlier, please call the Helpdesk at 5555 for instructions.

• First, go into the Wireless Network listing by clicking on the wireless icon in your taskbar.

• The wireless network you want to join is called Reinhardt. It is an unsecured network, which means it is not encrypted. However, even though the network is unencrypted, it IS password protected. You will login using your Reinhardt network/email username and password. It does not ask you to login at the same time it connects - the login is asked for the first time you start a web-browser.
• Click on the Reinhardt entry and then click the Connect button.

• Depending on your version of XP, you may or may not get the following box while your computer connects. If you don't, don't worry about it.
   

• Eventually the wireless network list will show that you are connected to Reinhardt.

• After you connect to the wireless network, you still have to Login. Logging in is very simple. Open a web browser and try to go to a website. The wireless network will automatically see your request and send you to the login page. Here you login with the RC0xxxxx or the LastnameStudentID (smith12345) user-name and your password.  For returning students, the password is your pin number.  For new students, the password is your date of birth (ex: 01011990). 

• Once you get logged-in, you will see a window popup on your screen. This window contains a Logout link. You can use the Logout link if you want to be absolutely positive that you are logged off of the wireless network. If you don't use the link, the wireless network will automatically log you out after your computer has been inactive for 5 minutes or so. Either way is OK to the wireless network, but officially logging out will allow you to log back in immediately if you need to.

• Please Keep in mind - if all you want to do is use AOL/Yahoo/Microsoft Instant Messengers, or any other stand-alone programs (games, P2P downloaders, Skype, etc), you MUST open a web-browser FIRST so you can login to the wireless network!
• That's pretty much all there is to it. If you have any problems, here are a few troubleshooting tips:

TROUBLESHOOTING:

 

• If you have an existing wireless router/gateway device (ie - the ones you can buy at Walmart, Staples, etc) in your room TURN IT OFF. Really, do. The Reinhardt Wireless Network is all seeing and all knowing and will attempt to disable your router.
• If your computer is plugged-in to the network jack in your room, unplug it. Otherwise Windows will be confused about whether it should use the wireless or the wired network to access the Internet.
• If your computer WAS working OK when it was plugged-in, but can't seem to work on the wireless after you unplug it, go into the Network Connections box and disable the Ethernet Connection/Adapter that's listed there (ie - your former wired connection). Sometimes XP gets confused and tries to use the wired connection even when the wired connection is disconnected. Disabling the Ethernet Connection/Adapter tells XP to completely ignore the wired connection.
• If all else fails, call the HelpDesk at 5555.