Cannot connect to open access points
 

Any open access point I try to connect to gives me the "internet connection failed. unable to retrieve IP address from server. try again?" message.

It started happening sometime after the first SSU for diablo. I've tried several AP, some of which I've connected to before, and they all give me this message. I can see other people using the same AP on laptops and things.

I have no idea how to trouble shoot this. Is there log file I can look at, a cache to clear, or a config file to reset/tweak?

I can connect to every AP I've tried if it has WEP enabled.

Thanks in advance for any help,
Matt

Re: Cannot connect to open access points
 

bump, please. I just want to know where to look. Maybe I can diagnose it myself if I know what log file to look at.

Re: Cannot connect to open access points
 

sounds like these ones don't have dhcp running, so you don't automatically get assigned an IP address. Do you know anything more about them, like whether dhcp is supposed to be running. They may also be MAC filtering, in which case you won't get an IP address either

Re: Cannot connect to open access points
 

I know that they are free public APs, and that I can see other people connecting to them just fine using their laptops and iPhones. Also, I've connected to at least two of them before; but it's been a while.

It doesn't sound likely that all five public APs that I've run across have the same problem.

If I make a trip to one of these I know I've connected to before and confirm that I can connect to it with my laptop, what does that tell me? That the NIT is broke, right? It just seems like a bit of trouble to go through when I can see other people using the AP on their devices.

I'm guessing there are no diagnostic logs or no way to turn on anything diagnostic?

is there anyway to connect to a network from the command line? Maybe I can see some stdio output.

Re: Cannot connect to open access points
 

Look for basic connectivity issues. If you're seeing the AP, but not getting DHCP leases -- what does an "ifconfig -a" (aka /sbin/ifconfig) return? Assuming you're getting a IP -- do you get a default route (netstat -rn), or proper entries for DNS? (cat /tmp/resolv.conf.wlan0).

Most problems I've had have been DNS related -- but indications are that your system isn't connecting to the AP properly. Make sure you've selected the proper authentication type (that is; none), and that all the right icons are indicating unlocked, etc.

Re: Cannot connect to open access points
 

When I get in range, I click the wifi icon in the status bar and choose select connection. It shows me a list of wifi APs, and I choose the one I want and connect. the wifi icon oscillates for a little while, and then it shows the "unable to retrieve ip" error and disconnects.

When it was working, I never had to set up anything to connect to these APs. They just worked. Now they just don't work.

Since it never connects, running ifconfig -a always gives me the same results - no ip address (except the loopback, of course.)

Re: Cannot connect to open access points
 

I'm posting this using my laptop at one of the APs that doesn't work. My laptop connects and gets an IP fine. My N810 does not. It just gives the unable to retrieve IP address and closes.

I was able to specify IP settings using the settings I retrieved from my laptop and connect via the N810.

So, as long as I have my laptop with me to connect to the open AP first, I'll be able to connect with the N810. This sucks.

It seems obvious to me that the dhcp client on the N810 is broken. Any help with fixing it would be greatly appreciated. I have no idea where to start.

Re: Cannot connect to open access points
 

For me, it usually says that when it has a really bad signal. How close are you to the router? Have you connected before? What OS is your laptop?

First, delete all the troublesome AP's in your NIT. Start Fresh!

Then, see if Liunx on the laptop (liveCD is fine) can connect

I say this because sometimes they filter out devices based on OS (its true), or use proprietary VPN software to provide a "secure" connection. Somehow, this "VPN" software runs on old 1G iPhones that can't run apps, so....

Then, I don't know!

Re: Cannot connect to open access points
 

I'm not sure. I get a full set a bars on both the N810 and my laptop.

Yes; but it's been a while (before the first SSU for diablo).

Vista.

I've done that a few times during the course of troubleshooting this issue. I'm on the verge of starting the freshest with a reflash. I really don't want to though.

Are you suggesting that all five unrelated open access points that I've tried have the same DHCP rule? can a dhcp server even have a rule like that? The NIT connects fine if I bypass the DHCP client and specify the IP settings. It seems pretty obvious that there is a problem with the DHCP client on the NIT.

Thanks anyway.

Re: Cannot connect to open access points
 

Will someone suggest a different forum to get help from? not being able to connect to open access points severely impacts the usability of the n810.

Re: Cannot connect to open access points
 

I have the same problem... it used to connect without a problem out of the box... I have updated to OS 08 and my 810 just cant connect at all.

it states "Internet connection failed. Unable to retrieve IP address from server. Try again?"

if I tried to disconnect, it wont... wifi signal just keep blinking
close the browser, and turn off 810... boot it again... then launch "connectivity settings..." go to advanced go to IP Addresses tab insert IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, primary dns, and secondary dns address...

then it will state network connection error... but it shows there is internet connection but browser doesnt load anything

Re: Cannot connect to open access points
 

If the problem turned up when you switched to '08, and your previous version was a reasonably old version of '07, then it sounds like the problem is power saving mode. For the problematic connection, save the setting, then edit it and turn off power savings mode. Then test again.

Re: Cannot connect to open access points
 

I recently own my N810, and I have exactly the same problem: can't connect in open network points, where I can connect with my laptop, my Ipaq phone, and with a Archos 604 wifi too with any problems. I'm not a technician and I'm new in the Maemo world. Because of that I need some help to fix this problem in a practical and explained manner. Anybody can help me?????. Another detail: the only place where I can connect to an open whifi point is in my home where I have a Linksys router connected to an adsl modem.

Re: Cannot connect to open access points
 

I ended up bringing my laptop to all the open APs that I normally visit to find out what the IP settings are. Then I specified the IP settings for each network connection on the NIT - guessing at the specific IP. I chose a number high enough to make conflicts unlikely.

Re: Cannot connect to open access points
 

I will try to visit the Aps, and find the IP settings. Anybody can explain me why I can connect with my Lynksys in my home with any problem without introduce any data in the settings???

Re: Cannot connect to open access points
 

Must be something cached somewhere...
On my N800 I have also once in a while with public hotspots that I get "network connection error".
It was always after a initial successful connection to that network. If it then drops out, then sometimes reconnecting is no go.
Even reboot won't fix it. Connecting to other non-protected hotspots (after getting the error) gives the same error.
When coming home it however then connected always to my own wifi (WPA).
The next day I can then connect again to the public hotspot that had the problem (until the next time I get a "network connection error" ... but that is not always - works fine in most cases)
Did not managed to reproduce it, aldo I have the feeling that enabling blue tooth "helps" in provoking this problem...

Re: Cannot connect to open access points
 

Some older access points don't support the power saving protocol used by the N810. FON routers don't. Having a lower signal power and a busy access point seem to affect the ability to connect. I never have a problem with my home AP or those in Starbucks. For $7.95 a month I have a Boingo Wifi account for the N810 that includes roaming with AT&T. Also works at most hotels and airports in addition to McDonalds -- I don't do fast food but they're there is Starbucks isn't.

Re: Cannot connect to open access points
 

I just saw this in a other thread.

snip: "BT & WLAN on nxx0 share the same antenna as well as same RF amplifier."

Might be also helped by BT on... Maybe some routers don't like this "switching"...

I'll had the problem a few day's ago and it went away by both disabling BT and set for that connection the power saving to "off" (connectivity settings - connections - choose connection - edit last page "advanced" button - 3the tab" )