Signal Switching

Unfortunately, with almost all operating systems there is a configuration that saves SSIDs (or network names) that you’ve connected to in the past. When the wireless utility on your computer saves these SSIDs it also stores information about them (channel number, physical address, etc…). So, while you are trying to connect to the Connect Freely network, you may see the signal or functionality of the network dropping or becoming unusable. This is because your computer also saves these other networks as an automatic connection. This can allow for switching between the network you are trying to connect to (the one provided by Connect Freely) and the other networks from your connection history in the past. When your computer switches it will not prompt you for permission or even show that you’re switching. You may even see the Connect Freely network name as still connected when you aren’t actually connected to it at all. When your computer switches it will cause the signal strength to drop and fluctuate and web pages to cease loading. Unfortunately, we as a network provider can’t resolve this problem from our end. No matter how well our network functions, this is something that can happen. We can, however, help you change your computer’s configurations to resolve this issue in most cases.

For XP users:

If your computer is using the default Windows utility to make your connection you will need to do as follows…

Find the icon on the bottom right side of your screen that looks like a single computer monitor.
Right click on it.
If you found the right icon it should give you an option to “view available wireless networks”
Once you see the “View available wireless networks” screen, find the button on the bar at the left of this screen that says “change the order of preferred networks”.
Left click on this button and you will see a list of networks that you have connected to in the past.
You can highlight these networks and remove them with the button below this screen.
you will want to remove all networks but the one that you are supposed to connect to.

If you were unable to follow these steps, please read below.

For Vista/Windows 7 users:

If your computer is using the default Windows utility to make your connection you will need to do as follows…

Find the icon at the bottom right of your screen that looks like a signal indicator. (you may need to expand the task bar by clicking the arrow pointing up)
Left click on this icon once.
If you found the right icon you should see a button at the bottom of the small screen for “Network and Sharing Center”
left click on this button.
Once in this screen you should see “manage wireless networks” along the left side.
Left click on this icon.
You should see a screen displaying all the saved networks from your connection history.
You will want to highlight all the networks but the one you are supposed to connect to, and remove them one by one with the button above this screen.

If you were unable to follow these steps, please read below

If you did not see any saved networks in the location indicated you are most likely using a software provided by your computer manufacturer and not Microsoft to make your wireless connection.

These are the most common operating systems of our users, and when using the default utility this is how to remove the automatic connections. However, if you are using another operating system, or your computer manufacturer is using a proprietary software to control the wireless connection this won’t work for you. You still may have a signal switching problem. If this is the case, or you are just having difficulty following these steps, Please to create a Support Ticket CLICK HERE.