How to create a "known" network

[NathanQ]

Every time I open my MacBook Pro it requires that I select a wi-fi network to join. We have a wi-fi (modem and wireless router) set up in our house and this network is available and we simple select this wi-fi network each and every time. This has become tiresome and under System Preferences, Network, just below Network Name, is a yes/no check box that states that "Known networks will be joined automatically. If no known networks are available, ..."

I'm curious as to how to make our wi-fi connection a "known" network to eliminate the need to select this network each and every time we open up our MacBook Pro.

Thanks,

NathanQ

 

[barredfreak]

Hmm.

Have you tried restarting your computer instead of putting it to sleep? Did you fiddle with the settings of your router and did something you aren't sure of?

 

[NathanQ]

Putting to sleep and turning off seems to make no difference. And I have not fiddled with the modem or router. It has been this way since day one.

I also have a Toshiba lap top and it has never asked a similar question, just knows which wi-fi network to join.

NathanQ

 

[chown33]

Which OS version is on the computer that's having problems?


There is a setting under System Preferences to remember networks the computer has joined before. If that's off, then it won't remember networks, and there won't be any "known networks" to rejoin without asking.

On Snow Leopard 10.6.8,
System Preferences,
Network pane,
Airport connection in left-hand column,
Click "Advanced..." button at lower left.

A sheet rolls down with multiple tabs at top. Click the AirPort tab. Below the list of Preferred Networks (which is also the list of known networks), there is a checkbox "Remember networks this computer has joined". Make sure it's checked.

Then click "OK" to dismiss the sheet, and the "Apply" pushbotton at the Network pane to save the settings change.


I don't have a Lion or Mtn Lion version handy to see what it looks like there. I think one difference is "AirPort" is called "Wi-Fi". There may be other differences.