The following frequently asked questions have been compiled based on known issues users have experienced with Brooklyn Law School wireless network. Please direct any other questions to the Information Technology department at (718) 780-7507 or support@brooklaw.edu.

I'm having trouble connecting my laptop. What should I do?
First please make sure your laptop is at the latest version of its operating system and that its network drivers are up to date. Please bring your laptop to our offices and we can assist you. If you are a new student, your first visit to connect your laptop to our network must be scheduled when you activate your BLS account.

My computer indicates low wireless signal strength in a particular location here at school. What should I do?

First, you should make sure your wireless adapter is running at full power. If you have a laptop that has the Intel Centrino label on it, follow these instructions to set power to the highest level possible.

Otherwise, if you notice that a specific classroom or public area is receiving particularly low signal strength, please use our online form. We can then check the access point in that area and try to resolve the issue.

My wireless connection continually connects and then a short while later it loses connection and reports an “Authenticating” message at the bottom of the screen. During this time I cannot get to Bluesocket or any other webpage.
Some laptop users experience intermittent connection drop-offs when their driver is not up to date. Please bring your laptop to our offices and we can help get the latest drivers installed. This even applies to brand-new laptops.

I have a Macintosh computer, can I connect to the wireless?
Yes. In order to connect to the BLS-SecWLAN network, you must have either Mac OS X version 10.3 or 10.4 with the latest Airport software (at least 4.2) downloaded through Software Update. Versions 10.2 and lower are not capable of the connecting to our wireless network. Please bring your Mac to us and we will help you get it connected to our network. If you are a new student, your first visit must be scheduled when you activate your BLS account.

My Mac "flickers" or refuses to connect after I shut down. What can I do?

We have recently discovered what appears to be a bug in the latest release of Mac OS X (Tiger/10.4) where the 802.1x module required for connection will not automatically load correctly. After connecting successfully to the wireless and then rebooting your machine, you may experience a “fluttering” of your wireless connection where it refuses to connect fully to the network. We’ve found that the most successful work-around for this is to click on the Airport icon in the upper-right corner of the screen and select Internet Connect. Click on the 802.1x tab. Click Connect on the 802.1x page. The machine may still not connect and you may have to click Disconnect and then Connect again.

I keep seeing the Bluesocket login page, even when I’m plugged in with a wire. Is there a resolution for this?
Though Windows will usually default to the wired connection, if the machine is plugged in to the network it will sometimes still try to go through the wireless network. Most laptops have either a physical switch or a “Function Key” shortcut that can be used to turn the wireless radio on and off. However, all machines running Windows XP can do the following: Click on the Start Menu, go to Control Panel, and select Network Connections. Right click on Wireless Area Connection and choose Disable. You can then re-enable your wireless the same way.

I keep getting reports from time to time that I am “blocked.” What does this mean and what should I do?
The Bluesocket Wireless Network system detected unusual network activity coming from your computer. This indicates a possible virus or spyware infection. If the system indicates you are blocked, please bring your laptop to the IT office on the fourth floor of One Boerum Place to be scanned for viruses and spyware.