MBP not finding open wifi networks, but iPhone is?

Hello, I'm a newbie to the forums and I am quite frustrated at a recent set of events. I currently live in Seoul Korea and decided to walk around the other day to find open usable wifi hotspots at coffee shops so I could study. Unfortunately it seems that while my iPhone can "find" and successfully connect get online with dozens of open wifi networks, my MBP only seems to find 1 out of 5 on average. As I sit here, I have full signal strength on my iPhone wifi (cellular does not work in S. Korea) and cannot find, nor connect manually to any one of a dozen networks that all work with my iPhone. I was wondering if anyone can assist me with this? Is it a software setting issue? or simply a matter of weak hardware on part of the MBP?
I also tried searching with XP using bootcamp and parallels with no avail. I'm restarted, erased the preferred networks, erased network keychains, and tried manually entering the router info found on my iPhone. No luck.
Thank you.

It may be simply that the iPhone you have is able to see the networks more easily owing to the nature of the antenna. That in the MBP is shielded a bit by the aluminium casing. I have an iPod touch and that does also see more networks than my MBP, although 1 in 5 seems a little sparse.
On the other hand, there have been situations where the antenna has been found not to be connected internally. If you can check with an Apple agent, that might help here.

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Some things to try first:
1. Turn Off your iPad. Then turn Off (disconnect power cord for 30 seconds or longer) the wireless router & then back On. Now boot your iPad. Hopefully it will see the WiFi.
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3. Change the channel on your wireless router (Auto or Channel 6 is best). Instructions at http://macintoshhowto.com/advanced/how-to-get-a-good-range-on-your-wireless-netw ork.html
4. Go into your router security settings and change from WEP to WPA with AES.
5. Renew IP Address: (especially if you are droping internet connection)
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Fix For iOS 6 WiFi Problems?
http://tabletcrunch.com/2012/09/27/fix-ios-6-wifi-problems/
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http://gizmodo.com/5944761/does-ios-6-have-a-wi+fi-bug
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Look at iOS Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1398
iPad: Issues connecting to Wi-Fi networks http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3304
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http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad_Troubleshooting/ss/How-To-Fix-My-Ipad-Wont-Connect -To-Wi-Fi.htm
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http://osxdaily.com/2012/03/21/fix-new-ipad-3-wi-fi-reception-problems/
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http://appletoolbox.com/2010/04/ipad-wi-fi-problems-comprehensive-list-of-fixes/
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How To Fix iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch Wi-Fi Connectivity Issue http://tinyurl.com/7nvxbmz
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https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4010130
Note - When troubleshooting wifi connection problems, don't hold your iPad by hand. There have been a few reports that holding the iPad by hand, seems to attenuate the wifi signal.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If any of the above solutions work, please post back what solved your problem. It will help others with the same problem.
 Cheers, Tom

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Hello Sage10,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
For more information on this, take a look at:
Wi-Fi: How to troubleshoot Wi-Fi connectivity
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4628?viewlocale=en_US
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http://www.youneedabudget.com/support/article/create-an-ad-hoc-network-in-window s
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I have purchased an iPad mini and it will not join my wifi network. Any ideas?

Some things to try first:
1. Turn Off your iPad. Then turn Off (disconnect power cord for 30 seconds or longer) the wireless router & then back On. Now boot your iPad. Hopefully it will see the WiFi.
2. Go to Settings>Wi-Fi and turn Off. Then while at Settings>Wi-Fi, turn back On and chose a Network.
3. Change the channel on your wireless router (Auto or Channel 6 is best). Instructions at http://macintoshhowto.com/advanced/how-to-get-a-good-range-on-your-wireless-netw ork.html
4. Go into your router security settings and change from WEP to WPA with AES.
5. Renew IP Address: (especially if you are droping internet connection)
    •    Launch Settings app
    •    Tap on Wi-Fi
    •    Tap on the blue arrow of the Wi-Fi network that you connect to from the list
    •    In the window that opens, tap on the Renew Lease button
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
iOS 6 Wifi Problems/Fixes
Fix For iOS 6 WiFi Problems?
http://tabletcrunch.com/2012/09/27/fix-ios-6-wifi-problems/
Did iOS 6 Screw Your Wi-Fi? Here’s How to Fix It
http://gizmodo.com/5944761/does-ios-6-have-a-wi+fi-bug
How To Fix Wi-Fi Connectivity Issue After Upgrading To iOS 6
http://www.iphonehacks.com/2012/09/fix-wi-fi-connectivity-issue-after-upgrading- to-ios-6.html
iOS 6 iPad 3 wi-fi "connection fix" for netgear router
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsWS4ha-dn0
Apple's iOS 6 Wi-Fi problems
http://www.zdnet.com/apples-ios-6-wi-fi-problems-linger-on-7000004799/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Look at iOS Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1398
iPad: Issues connecting to Wi-Fi networks http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3304
WiFi Connecting/Troubleshooting http://www.apple.com/support/ipad/wifi/
How to Fix: My iPad Won't Connect to WiFi
http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad_Troubleshooting/ss/How-To-Fix-My-Ipad-Wont-Connect -To-Wi-Fi.htm
iOS: Connecting to the Internet http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1695
iOS: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4199
How to Quickly Fix iPad 3 Wi-Fi Reception Problems
http://osxdaily.com/2012/03/21/fix-new-ipad-3-wi-fi-reception-problems/
iPad Wi-Fi Problems: Comprehensive List of Fixes
http://appletoolbox.com/2010/04/ipad-wi-fi-problems-comprehensive-list-of-fixes/
Fix iPad Wifi Connection and Signal Issues http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwWtIG5jUxE
Fix Slow WiFi Issue https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2398063?start=60&tstart=0
How To Fix iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch Wi-Fi Connectivity Issue http://tinyurl.com/7nvxbmz
Unable to Connect After iOS Update - saw this solution on another post.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4010130
Note - When troubleshooting wifi connection problems, don't hold your iPad by hand. There have been a few reports that holding the iPad by hand, seems to attenuate the wifi signal.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If any of the above solutions work, please post back what solved your problem. It will help others with the same problem.
 Cheers, Tom

TS1398 my iphone 4s can not scan any wifi network, i tried everything but still can not scan any wifi connection even though our wifi is working properly in our mac book and ipad. What do i need to do if the problem is the hardware?pls help

my iphone 4s can not scan any wifi network, i tried everything but still can not scan any wifi connection even though our wifi is working properly in our mac book and ipad. What do i need to do if the problem is the hardware?pls help

When you say it "can not scan any wifi network" do you mean it is not detecting Wi-Fi networks?
Is Wi-Fi turned on in Settings > General > Wi-Fi?
Have you tried Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings?
Is it just the home network that the device will not connect to? or any network?

MBP not finding open wifi networks, but iPhone is?

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