Set a wireless laptop to infrastructure mode

If you are trying to connect to the OSU_Access access point (infrastructure) network, but your machine is detecting and trying to connect to a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network called OSU_Access instead, follow these instructions to set Windows’ “networks to access” properties:

On a machine running Windows XP SP2:

1. Click on the Wireless Network Connection icon in the notification area of the taskbar.

2. Click on the “View Available Networks” button.

3. If your networks list shows a network called OSU_Access, and underneath the name it says “Unsecured wireless network”, you are fine and you do not need to continue. If it says “Computer-to-computer network”, please continue to step 4.

4. In the left panel, under “Related Tasks”, click on “Change advanced settings”

5. Choose the “Wireless Networks” tab at the top.

6. Click on the “Advanced” button near the bottom right of the window.

7. You should get a window entitled “Networks to access” with 3 options. Choose the middle option that says “Access point (infrastructure) networks only”. Then click on “Close”.

8. Click “OK” in the Wireless Network Connection Properties window.
9. Now when you go into “View Available Networks” again, you should not be seeing the OSU_Access computer-to-computer network. If you are seeing it again then:
   1. Select it and click “Disconnect”
   2. In the left panel, under Network Tasks” choose “Refresh network list”
   3. Now Windows should find the correct OSU_Access network that says “Unsecured wireless network”

NOTE: After following these instructions, you will NOT be able to connect to ANY ad hoc networks.

If you do want to set-up or connect to an ad hoc network, please follow the instructions above but in step 7, choose the first option that says “Any available network (access point preferred)”.