Help Connecting my Nook WiFi

[sstamm]

I recently got a Nook Wifi and have tried and tried to get it connected so I can shop, etc.

I have Verizon DSL and Linksys WRT54G2 router. I have 5 computers, 4 or 5 ipods, printer, PS2, etc all accessing the internet without any problem whatsoever.

I know the SSID and password for my Linksys router set up with WPA2 security. After going through a hard reset, etc with Tech Support at BN, I took it to McDonalds, connected there and was able to register the Nook and download the books I had purchased. I could get on the web browser and access a website. But at home.... nothing. It sees my network and says it is connected, but when I go to shop, it just says "loading" and never gets anywhere. Web pages will not load.

I have Googled and read every board, suggestion, article, etc that I can find, because apparently, this is not an uncommon problem. I have reset and rebooted modem, router and Nook. I have accessed the web page for my router settings, and can't find anything that would prevent connection. I have updated my router firmware. I removed the security from my network to see if it could connect then- no. I have had my tech-savvy friend try to help, and he can't find anything wrong with my settings either. The Nook keeps showing it is connected to the network, but nothing loads.

Interestingly, I brought my friend's Kindle to my house and connected to my WiFi with no problem and was easily able to download samples of several books. I chose the Nook because of the ability to access library books.

Can any of my Tugger friends think of anything else I can try before I pitch the Nook through the window?

Thanks.

 

[dioxide45]

Do you have MAC Address filtering turned on on the router? If so that could preventing a new wifi device from connecting.

 

[sstamm]

Do you have MAC Address filtering turned on on the router? If so that could preventing a new wifi device from connecting.

No, that has already been checked. MAC address filtering is disabled.

Thanks for responding!

And to add to my difficulties, my home phone and internet are down. :annoyed:

 

[Art]

No, that has already been checked. MAC address filtering is disabled.

Thanks for responding!

And to add to my difficulties, my home phone and internet are down. :annoyed:

First, don't do anything until you get the phone and DSL back or anything you try with the Nook will be irrelevant.

After that, go somewhere out of range of your network. Then go to the Nook Settings menu where it lists all the networks that the Nook has seen or connected to. Delete your network from that list.

With a low level, or none at all, security setting on your network, let the Nook find and connect to the network again. With a fresh start, there is a better chance of being activated on the network.

The basic problem is that while a wireless device can be connected to network, information cannot be transferred unless the connection has security clearance. There really are two pieces to this; the "connection" is just the first piece.

My feeling, since I went through a variation of this problem with my Nook, is that there is some sort of bug in the Nook's handling of secure log-ins.

Speaking of MAC address filtering, if your router allows you to enter approved MAC addresses, another approach is to go to the Nook settings menu, note the MAC address, and directly enter it into the router. This allows a secure connection to be achieved even with a very high security setting on the router. This should work with the Nook.

Art

 

[sstamm]

Our phone and DSL did come back up, thank heavens.

I understand that the Nook's connection to the network is only one part of the total connection, but what I haven't been able to figure out is what part or setting is preventing transfer of information through the network to the Nook.

Your explanation of what is going on is better than I have been able to articulate, so thanks!

I am using WPA2 security. I changed it to WPA and then to no security at all. Each time I changed it, I first changed the settings, then powered down the modem, router, and Nook. Then I restarted the Nook and deleted the "remembered" network (now not broadcasting because the router is off.) Then I restarted the modem and router, waited for the Nook to "see" the network, and connected. Each time, the Nook will connect with my network, but won't download anything. Each time the settings on the Nook showed the network with the security settings matching what I had just set on the router.

I had really convinced myself I would have a full connection when all security was disabled, and was very disappointed when it didn't work.

I have considered enabling MAC address filtering, since the address I would need is listed on the Nook settings page. And yes, my router settings allow those to be added.

What has stopped me is that I'm not sure what that will do to all the other things utilizing my network- 4 macbooks and a desktop, 3 or 4 iPods, a PS2 and my printer.

Would I need to find the addresses for all those devices and enter them in my router settings?

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Art]

As I recall (I have a different router now), once those other devices have been attached to the router, their MAC addresses are automatically entered in the router's approved list.

FWIW. to find the MAC address on a Windows system, go to a command prompt (MSDOS) on the accessories list and type ipconfig/all This will give you a whole screen of stuff, among which will be the adapter address or some such similar name. Make a note of it and check the router list of approved MAC addresses; it should be there.

Incidentally, I sent a net book back to HP because this was the only way I could get in to my network. Only when I had to do the same thing with the next net book that I ordered did I realize that this was the way I had to go. Using the MAC address approach did nothing to harm any of the other device connections on my system.

You didn't say you didn't try it, but did you try to access the internet with just your router and the Nook powered up when you had the system in the zero security state? That would be pretty much the equivalent of going down to McDonalds.

Art

 

[sstamm]

I have a Macbook and I was able to find the MAC address in the network preferences advanced settings. It just said AirPort ID but I recognized the format of the number and, like you said, it was also already in my router settings. It was not listed under the approved addresses for MAC filtering but I found a list of all addresses currently accessing the network and was able to identify my devices that way, and could click a checkbox to add them to the approved list. The Nook showed up in that list and was added to the approved list.

Unfortunately, the Nook could still not download anything or access the Barnes and Noble store.

I'm not sure I fully understood your last question. When I was in zero security state, I powered up the modem, wireless router and the Nook. My macbook was powered off, but the other devices that access the network (several other computers, ipods, etc) were still on and accessing the network. I did not power down every device in the house. Would that make a difference? I mean, at McDonalds, at any given time there would be other devices accessing the network.

Thank you for taking the time to try to help me figure this out!!

At this point, I think I will return the Nook. I could go to McDonalds or the library to download, but to me, that kind of defeats the purpose. I really like the idea of Nook being able to read books from the library, so not sure what I'm going to do from here. The Kindle I tried was very user friendly.

 

[Passepartout]

You have much more patience than I would have had with it. I'd have lasted about one call to support and if that didn't fix it, back it goes.

Maybe they will have you try another one and it will work as advertised.

My understanding of getting books from the library is that publishers allow each library to 'lend' a limited number of copies based on the number of licenses they get for a given book. Individual users may have to wait for popular or new books. After they are downloaded, they are functional for a couple of weeks then disappear from the Nook. At least this is what I was told by my library when I researched which reader to buy last year. Your library may use a different system, but for all of them, copyright is an issue.

Good luck with the Nook. I am very fond of my Kindle and it hasn't caused a minute's problem. I love carrying several week's reading, a daily newspaper, a couple of magazine subscriptions (without advertising) all in a device smaller than a thin paperback.

Jim Ricks

 

[Art]

Final question before I concede that you should return the Nook.

I understand that you cannot download or access the B&N store.

Are you also saying that you can not access the internet at all, i.e. go to Yahoo, etc., from the Nook?

If you can get on the internet, then I would double check that the right password is being entered when you try to log on to the B&N store. I would start by logging on to the B&N store via your desktop to confirm that the account password is still the same as when the account was opened. Once that was confirmed, I would go to the Nook and re-enter the confirmed password.

Art

 

[Elli]

You have much more patience than I would have had with it. I'd have lasted about one call to support and if that didn't fix it, back it goes.

Maybe they will have you try another one and it will work as advertised.

My understanding of getting books from the library is that publishers allow each library to 'lend' a limited number of copies based on the number of licenses they get for a given book. Individual users may have to wait for popular or new books. After they are downloaded, they are functional for a couple of weeks then disappear from the Nook. At least this is what I was told by my library when I researched which reader to buy last year. Your library may use a different system, but for all of them, copyright is an issue.

Good luck with the Nook. I am very fond of my Kindle and it hasn't caused a minute's problem. I love carrying several week's reading, a daily newspaper, a couple of magazine subscriptions (without advertising) all in a device smaller than a thin paperback.

Jim Ricks

Jim, my Kindle worked fine with the first router we had. When we had to buy a new router, couldn't get WiFi on my Kindle. First guy I talked to at Amazon said the Kindle works fine, contact router people. Phoned Amazon again the next day, got a different guy, he asked the name of the router - turns out the router is too new, and my Kindle isn't compatible with that router. Since the router works great with the laptop, I'm not returning the router. Hopefully, Amazon will make the Kindle compatible with the new router. Time will tell. It's a pain, loading down books via the computer, so much faster when you have Wi Fi with the Kindle.

I've had the Kindle for over 6 months - too late to return it ??

 

[Passepartout]

Jim, my Kindle worked fine with the first router we had. When we had to buy a new router, couldn't get WiFi on my Kindle. First guy I talked to at Amazon said the Kindle works fine, contact router people. Phoned Amazon again the next day, got a different guy, he asked the name of the router - turns out the router is too new, and my Kindle isn't compatible with that router. Since the router works great with the laptop, I'm not returning the router. Hopefully, Amazon will make the Kindle compatible with the new router. Time will tell. It's a pain, loading down books via the computer, so much faster when you have Wi Fi with the Kindle.

I've had the Kindle for over 6 months - too late to return it ??

That seems odd to me. Does the Kindle wi-fi work at public wi-fi places, like McD's, hotel lobbies, library, B&N etc? I would call the much applauded Kindle support guru's and try again. I admit when it comes to entering MAC addresses and such as described above, I would have to be led by the hand through it. And they can tell you if you can return it at over 6 months, if necessary.

Good Luck!

Jim

 

[Elli]

That seems odd to me. Does the Kindle wi-fi work at public wi-fi places, like McD's, hotel lobbies, library, B&N etc? I would call the much applauded Kindle support guru's and try again. I admit when it comes to entering MAC addresses and such as described above, I would have to be led by the hand through it. And they can tell you if you can return it at over 6 months, if necessary. Good Luck!

Jim

Thanks for your reply, Jim, we are in Palm Desert right now, with free Wi-Fi access, and the Kindle does work with Wi-Fi. I'll contact Amazon again when we get back home. Elli

 

[Passepartout]

Elli, here I go again, completely unencumbered by the thought process, wondering if it has to do with 'home' being in Canada and Amazon having difficulty with your IP address. Of course that doesn't explain why it works through your computer and USB cable. As usual, I'm at a loss.
Jim

 

[sstamm]

Final question before I concede that you should return the Nook.

I understand that you cannot download or access the B&N store.

Are you also saying that you can not access the internet at all, i.e. go to Yahoo, etc., from the Nook?

If you can get on the internet, then I would double check that the right password is being entered when you try to log on to the B&N store. I would start by logging on to the B&N store via your desktop to confirm that the account password is still the same as when the account was opened. Once that was confirmed, I would go to the Nook and re-enter the confirmed password.

Art

When I am at McDonalds or a wifi hotspot, I can access the internet, Google, etc. and also can access and download from the BN store.

When you register the Nook, it can then access the store without password. I can get to the store on my computer, access my account, etc. But when I try to get to the store on the Nook, it acts like it will download something, but then just never loads. I also cannot access any websites from the Nook through my wifi. Again, says it is contacting, but then never loads.

For some reason, I am very stubborn and was determined to figure out the problem and get it resolved. But I eventually gave up and have returned the Nook. I may end up getting the one with 3G so that my own wifi issues won't matter. I still won't be able to get internet, but I wouldn't use it for internet at home anyway.

If it weren't for the library book accessibility on the Nook, I would get a Kindle.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[sstamm]

You have much more patience than I would have had with it. I'd have lasted about one call to support and if that didn't fix it, back it goes.

Maybe they will have you try another one and it will work as advertised.

My understanding of getting books from the library is that publishers allow each library to 'lend' a limited number of copies based on the number of licenses they get for a given book. Individual users may have to wait for popular or new books. After they are downloaded, they are functional for a couple of weeks then disappear from the Nook. At least this is what I was told by my library when I researched which reader to buy last year. Your library may use a different system, but for all of them, copyright is an issue.

Good luck with the Nook. I am very fond of my Kindle and it hasn't caused a minute's problem. I love carrying several week's reading, a daily newspaper, a couple of magazine subscriptions (without advertising) all in a device smaller than a thin paperback.

Jim Ricks

I definitely think the library books are limited by copyright. The book that I borrowed wasn't initially available for download. But I got on the waitlist and it was available within several days. I can borrow it for 14 days. But that makes sense to me. Even though it is digital, there has to be a certain number of "copies" available. If it were unlimited, why would anyone ever buy a book? So basically it works like the hard copy books available at the library. But I can make that work for me, so it's all good.