[Deotan]

This may have been solved in other post but I can't see any that truely match the problem.

I work the front desk of a hotel, and since I am the most computer literate on staff (I can program from scratch and use notepad/text editors for web-design which is what I mean by literate), I have ended up becoming the computer go-to guy. I don't mind but this one I need help with.

My hotel has recently switch from an unsercrued/open wireless network to a portal wireless network for added security for our guests (not much but enough). The problem is with Dell computers. Our network does not have problems according to ourt network provider and our non-Dell guests. The problem is simple: Apperanlty Dell does not believe hotels are switching to this system, and have configured their computers to not allow a portal type connection.

Now I know that their computers are capable of this feat, but are simply configured not to do it when they come off the assembly line. What I need is a step by step sheet I can give to our guests so they can set up thier computers to accept our network (as Dell with charge them since the computers are in fact working). Most seem to not even get our log in screen (in their browser) for some reasons, and those who do can't get connected even if the do everything right. The connection strength is always strong, and no other computer has a problem connecting (unles it has an older version of vista but that's an entirely different problem which I am in the process of get the walk around info for).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-- Deotan

[Squashman]

Seems kind of odd to be Dell computers only.

Are the computers not redirecting to the Portal Page when they launch their Browser?

Can they get to the Portal page if they physically type it into their browser address bar? I see that all the time at hotels I visit. Their instructions usually say if you are not redirected to our Portal Page please type the following url into your browsers address bar. I had that issue happen to me once at a hotel I stayed at in Seattle with an older Compaq computer with Windows 2000. I highly doubt it was because it was a compaq computer though. It was a fresh install I did myself.

[Deotan]

I know it's odd to only be Dells but that seems to be the case.

I will work on getting the proper url for a manual redirect, but for those who do get automatically redirected, they can properly fill in the user name, password and click on the connect now box and it looks like it will connect, but gives you the browers (usally IE) default can't find your page. I've even entered the information myself and manually typed in say Google or Yahoo and it can't find the pages. But again it is not on our end, as all other wireless computers (including our buisness centre computers & our Managers laptop) connect.

This problem has only come up since we changed our wireless network from open unsecured to open portal. Also I know of one guest who brought in their desktop configured for wireless who was able to connect. (I have no idea why he doesn't have a laptop but he doesn't)

-- Deotan

[JohnWill]

Unless you have a Dell computer and some time on your hands, I doubt there's any way we can effectively trouble-shoot this one. I really doubt it's because it's a Dell, they're pretty big in the business world, and lots of places have similar security.

Have you talked to the people that supply the portal software to see what they have to offer?

[DoubleHelix]

I can guarantee that there is no inherent incompatibility between all Dell laptops and a wireless network infrastructure. All Dell laptops do not use the exact same wireless networking chipset, software, operating system, security application, etc. Dell laptops are very popular with business travelers. The fact that you've only seen them coming up with issues recently does not mean every single Dell laptop in existence can't connect to the hotel's network.

As an aside, I have no idea what you mean by a "portal" as the term can refer to any number of things. The hotel had better hire a network IT professional quick to resolve connectivity issues if it expects to retain guests. Word will spread quickly if an establishment's provided wireless Internet connectivity is unreliable and the hotel offers nothing in the way of support. Knowing how to create a web page in notepad or even develop an entire software suite doesn't translate into knowledge of all that is "computer". Large-scale, secure wireless network implementations are a category all their own.

[Jason08]

I know it can't be a problem with Dell and wireless, because I'm using a Dell desktop computer with a wireless adapter.

[DoubleHelix]

Originally Posted by Jason08

I know it can't be a problem with Dell and wireless, because I'm using a Dell desktop computer with a wireless adapter.

Where, Jason? At the poster's hotel? If not, this isn't diagnostically relevant in this case. I have no doubt that somewhere, someplace, a person is using a Dell laptop successfully with a wireless network.

[TerryNet]

I once had a problem at a motel with my Dell laptop using wireless. Maybe it was using a similar system to the OP's hotel--the browser gets redirected initially to a page that requires you to pledge allegiance to the hotel or something like that. The first time I booted I got a good IP configuration but no redirection and couldn't do "anything."

The solution was rather simple: Start - Turn Off Computer - Restart!

I suggest Deotan recommend the customers Restart. It will probably work for most, and those who still don't get on will think Deotan has no clue and will not bother him again.

[Jason08]

Originally Posted by DoubleHelix

Where, Jason? At the poster's hotel? If not, this isn't diagnostically relevant in this case. I have no doubt that somewhere, someplace, a person is using a Dell laptop successfully with a wireless network.

In my house, but how could the location matter that much (unless because of different router, modem, ISP) still with wireless?

[DoubleHelix]

Because the crux of the problem is the hotel's wireless setup. Your personal home wireless setup is not relevant to this problem.

[Jason08]

Ok, sorry about that then.

Sorry about the offtopicness, but did you notice that was your 10,000th post?

[Frank4d]

Originally Posted by TerryNet

I once had a problem at a motel with my Dell laptop using wireless. Maybe it was using a similar system to the OP's hotel--the browser gets redirected initially to a page that requires you to pledge allegiance to the hotel or something like that. The first time I booted I got a good IP configuration but no redirection and couldn't do "anything."

The solution was rather simple: Start - Turn Off Computer - Restart!

I suggest Deotan recommend the customers Restart. It will probably work for most, and those who still don't get on will think Deotan has no clue and will not bother him again.

I recently had a similar problem at two hotels in Japan. Using an IBM laptop and wired connection, I could get an IP and logon to my employers domain half way around the world... and then nothing. I had to go to IE LAN configuration and disable proxy settings for my employers network, logoff and back on, visit the hotels website and agree to their terms of service, and then all was OK.