Click Here for Help Pages for Optional  WPA-PSK Secured Wireless Connection

FCPL Unplugged! Login Steps (View Windows XP video).  The following login steps assume that your laptop or other device has already been setup for use with FCPL Unplugged!  Before you can login, your laptop or other device must at least be set to get its IP address via DHCP.  For many devices, no preliminary setup will be required. If you do need to manually adjust settings, see FCPL Unplugged! Setup Steps below.

1. Once your settings are correct and your laptop or other device finds the FCPL Unplugged! network, connect to the network and open up your Internet browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape, etc.)

2. Accept the usage Terms and Conditions outlined in the Forsyth County Public Library Wireless/Wired Internet Access policy.

3. Login to the FCPL Unplugged! service using a Library barcode and PIN. Note: you will not be able to view the login page unless your network cable is plugged into a designated port or you are located within FCPL Unplugged! wireless signal range.

FCPL Unplugged! Setup Steps (If needed). Your laptop/device may not need any configuration changes in order to access FCPL Unplugged!  However, if you are not immediately able to connect, configure your laptop/device as follows (Note: You may need to have administrative rights to your computer in order to perform some of these steps. Please note any configuration settings that you do change so that you will be able to restore your current settings if needed when you finish using FCPL Unplugged!):

1. Enable DHCP ("Obtain an IP address automatically") or set IP address to autoconnect. (View sample Windows XP video)

Details for Windows 2000 or XP Users:
• Go to "Network and Dial-Up Connections" or "Network Connections". This can be found via the Start Menu or Control Panel or under "Properties" for "My Network Places".
• Right-click on the appropriate connection and select "Properties".
• In "Components checked are being used by this connection", select "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)".
• Click on "Properties".
• Select "Obtain an IP address automatically"
• Click on "OK" twice.
• Restart your computer.


Details for Windows Vista Users:
• This is controlled through the "Network and Sharing Center" in Windows Vista.  This can be found by going to the "Start" Menu, right clicking on "Network" and selecting "Properties"
• On the left side of the "Network and Sharing Center" window select "Manage network connections"
• A "Network Connections" window will now appear.  Right click on the appropriate network connection and select "Properties"
• In the Local Area Connection Properties window, tick on "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click "Properties"
• Select both radio buttons for "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically"  and click on the "Ok" button on the windows you have opened in this process
• Reboot your machine

Details for Macintosh Mac OS X Wireless Users:
• Go to the Apple Menu; Select "System Preferences".
• Select "Network".
• Verify that "Show" is set to "AirPort".
• Select the "TCP/IP" tab..
• The settings should appear as follows:
  • Configure: Using DHCP (leave all else blank).
• Save changes.

Details for Macintosh Mac OS 9 Wireless Users:
• Go to the Apple Menu; Select "AirPort".
• Turn AirPort "On".
• At the Apple Menu, select "Control Panels" and "TCP/IP".
• Select "Connect Via" and choose "AirPort" from the drop-down menu.
• In the Configure Menu, select "Using DHCP Server".
• Close the window, and when prompted, save changes.



2. Remove all browser Proxy Settings. (View sample Windows XP video)

   Disabling Proxy Settings in Internet Explorer on Windows XP system.

   • Open Internet Explorer
   • Click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options.
   • Click the Connections tab, and then click LAN Settings.
   • Deselect the Use a proxy server for your LAN check box.
   • When you are finished making changes, click OK until you return to Internet Explorer.

   
   Disabling Proxy Settings in Internet Explorer on Windows Vista system.
   • Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start Button and then clicking Internet Explorer
   • Click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options.
   • Click the Connections tab, and then click LAN settings.
   • Deselect the Use a proxy server for your LAN check box.
   • When you are finished making changes, click OK until you return to Internet Explorer.

   
   

   Disabling Proxy Settings for Web Browsers on Mac OS X

   • In Mac OS X, proxy settings for Safari, Internet Explorer, and Camino are set though the Network Preferences control panel.
   • Go to the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen (screenshot available here)
     
   • On the Apple menu, go to Location and select Network Preferences. The Network preferences control panel will appear (screenshot available here)
     
   • From the Show drop-down list, select your network connection, such as AirPort or Built-in Ethernet. The TCP/IP tab of the Network screen will appear (screenshot available here)
     
   • Click on the Proxies tab. The Proxies tab of the Network screen will appear.
   • For Mac OS X 10.3 or earlier make sure the boxes are unchecked for Web proxy (HTTP) and Secure Web Proxy. Click Apply Now. (screenshot available here)
     
   • For Mac OS 10.4 make sure the boxes are unchecked for Web Proxy (HTTP), Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS), and Automatic Proxy Configuration. Click Apply now. (screenshot available here)

   
   

   Disabling Proxy Settings for Web Browsers on Mac OS 9 for Internet Explorer 5

   • On the desktop double click on the Internet explorer icon to display the internet screen. If you are unable to find the Internet Explorer icon on the desktop then on the Desktop, double click on the hard drive icon. The Applications screen displays. Double click on the Internet explorer 5 folder to open the folder. Now double click on the Internet Explorer icon.
   • On the screen that displays, from the pull down menu, click on Edit then click to select Preferences. The Internet Explorer Preferences screen displays.
   • In the left column, scroll to locate Network and click on Proxies. The Proxies screen displays.
   • On the Proxy Screen, unclick the Web Proxy checkbox

   
   
3. If you normally use a different wireless network (with a different SSID), your laptop or other device may not find the FCPL Unplugged! network automatically.  You may need to go into your wireless software and select "Refresh network list" or a similar network discovery option  (View sample Windows XP video), or you may need to set up the network manually per manual setup instructions below.

(For Wireless Users Only) Manual Setup Steps for Wireless Users if Still Not Connecting.   Note:  Sample screen shots, videos, and detailed instructions used throughout these help pages are based upon using the Windows Wireless Network Connection program to connect to our wireless network.  Depending on your laptop provider, it is possible that you may have another program installed that has priority over the Windows Wireless Network Connections program.  Please follow your manufacturer's instructions for use of your default wireless network configuration program, or follow the directions below to make the Windows Wireless Network Connection program the default Windows program for configuration of wireless networks. 

• Open the Wireless Network Connection program by clicking on the icon on the task bar or by clicking Start\Control Panel\Network Connections and double clicking on the Wireless Network Connection icon. 

• Once the Wireless Network Connection program is displayed, click on the "Change advanced Settings"  link on the bottom left hand side of the program.  This will launch the Wireless Network Connection properties window.

• Select the Wireless Networks tab and verify that you have a check mark in the box next to "Use Windows to configure my Wireless Network Settings."  If you do not have a check mark in this box that means that another program is controlling your Wireless network settings.  To set Wireless Network Connection program as the default, put a check mark in this box and click the "Ok" button at the bottom of the window. 

1. Set Your Wireless Network Interface Card to use a network type of "Any available network (access point preferred)" or "Access point (infrastructure) networks only" mode. (View sample Windows XP video)

2. Enter the "FCPLUnplugged" SSID into your wireless network configuration software.

3. Disable WEP and/or WPA on your Wireless Network Interface Card.

Manual Wireless Setup Details for Windows 2000, or XP Users:
• Click on the "Start" menu button.
• Right-click on "My Network Places" and choose "Properties".
• Right-click "Wireless Network Connection" and select "Properties".
• Select "Wireless Networks" tab.
• If visible, highlight the FCPLUnplugged network and click "Properties".  Settings to check and adjust are available here and under the "Advanced" button. (View sample Windows XP video)
• If the FCPLUnplugged network is not visible on the "Wireless Networks" tab, click the "Add" button and create it by filling in the required settings including a SSID of "FCPLUnplugged", a Network Authentication of "Open", and a Data Encryption of "Disabled"



Manual Wireless Setup Details for Windows Vista Users:

• Go to the "Start" menu and then select "Connect to"
• If the FCPLUnplugged network is visible on the list, make sure it is labeled as an "Unsecured network".  If it not, or if it does not appear on this list you will need to manually configure the network.
• Click on the link to "Set up a connection or network"
• On the "Choose a connection page" that opens; highlight the "Manually connect to a wireless network" option and then click "Next"
• Enter in a Network Name of "FCPLUnplugged", a Security type of "No authentication (Open)", an Encryption type of "None" (which should be automatically selected), select the "Start this connection automatically" option and click the "Next" button.

Manual Wireless Setup Details for Macintosh Mac OS 9 or OS X Users:
• Settings are accessed via the AirPort software.

 FCPL Unplugged! Troubleshooting Steps. If you are still unable to connect to FCPL Unplugged! try the following steps  (Note: You may need to have administrative rights to your computer in order to perform some of these steps.):

If you do not see the FCPL Unplugged! network or login page:

1. (Wireless Users Only) If your computer has an external wireless modem, make sure it is turned on.

2. Make sure your network connection is set up to accept any security certificate.  (View sample Windows XP video) All computers are different, but this setting is usually somewhere in the network or wireless settings.  You may see an icon near the lower right of your screen that you can double-click in order to access it.  Somewhere in the settings, you will see something referring to allowing remote sign in or accepting a security certificate.

3. Adjust settings to or temporarily turn off any firewall software (such as Zone Alarm, Windows Firewall, or Norton Internet Security).  If you have installed any personal firewall or other blocking software, you may need to adjust settings or temporarily disable it to allow access to the FCPL Unplugged! service.  You may need to adjust settings to authorize access to the Forsyth County Public Library network and/or the Internet.  Instructions for doing this vary by product.  Please refer to your manufacturer's website or manual.

4. After you have verified and corrected all of the above, reboot or power down and restart your laptop/network device.

5. You may need to refer to your own computer/device manufacturer, reseller, or user manual or support website for further assistance with anything that is different from the instructions provided.  Select links to support websites are provided below for your convenience.

   Apple Users' Airport Support Pages
   AT&T/ Cingular Wireless Phone/Device Support Forum Links Page (Select your manufacturer and search for 802.11 or Wi-Fi)
   Blackberry Users' Support Pages (Search for Wi-Fi or 802.11)
   Palm Users' Support Pages (Search for Wi-Fi and your model. Bluetooth is not supported on the FCPL Unplugged! network.)
   Verizon Wireless Phone/Device Support (Select your model, then search for Wi-Fi or 802.11)

If you see the FCPL Unplugged! login page, but still cannot connect:

1. Make sure you are entering your Library card barcode number and PIN correctly.  If you are unsure of your PIN, see staff at the Circulation Desk.

2. To ensure  proper authentication and authorization to use Library resources, you may need to adjust your Internet browser privacy and/or security settings to allow use of cookies and referring URL information.  

   Internet Explorer 6.X,  7.X, or 8.X Users:
   • Select "Tools" then choose "Internet Options"
   • Select the "Privacy" tab
   • Enable Cookies
   • If using a default setting, move the slider to select
     any of the following privacy settings (to avoid
     frequent prompts, choose the lowest setting with
     which you are comfortable or adjust settings on a
     per-site basis when prompted--or add them to
     "Trusted Sites"):
     Medium High
     Medium
     Low
     Accept all cookies
   •  If using a custom setting: Click the Advanced button
     Select Override automatic cookie handling
     Select Always allow session cookies
     Click "OK" to return to the Privacy Tab
   •  Click "Apply" then "OK"
   
   
   Internet Explorer 5.X Users:
   
   • Select "Tools" then choose "Internet Options"
   • Select the "Security" tab
   • Click the "Custom Level" button
   • Scroll down to the "Cookies" section
   • Set Allow cookies that are stored on your computer to "Enable"
   • Set Allow per-session cookies to "Enable"
   • Click "OK"
   
   

3. Adjust settings to or turn off any firewall software (such as Zone Alarm or Norton Internet Security).  If you have installed any personal firewall or other blocking software, you may need to adjust settings or temporarily disable it to allow access to the FCPL Unplugged! service.  You may need to adjust settings to authorize access to the Forsyth County Public Library network and/or the Internet.  Instructions for doing this vary by product.  Please refer to your manufacturer's website or manual.

If you are able to connect to FCPL Unplugged! but have problems connecting to individual websites, databases, or online resources, please refer to help pages for the resource in question. Help pages for the Forsythpl.org website are available at http://www.forsythpl.org/help .

Need to print from FCPL Unplugged!? You will need to install a LPT:One Print Client each time you use FCPL Unplugged! and wish to print from it. Click here or click on the "Printing From FCPL Unplugged!" link at the top of this page for more information.