Unable to access public wifi despite strong signal: "self-assigned ip"

Question

anyone else have this? it's kind of embarrassing when all the windows users around me can surf but i can't. i'm getting four bars of signal, but i can't actually open a browser. i've tried trashing my airport prefs, renewing the dhcp lease, creating new locations, switching off "back to my mac..." nothing has helped.
i never had this problem in tiger.

Answer 1

Try creating a new "location" for this network. A "location" is a new set of networking records maintained by Leopard. The default location is named "Automatic". If you have more than one location set up you can switch between them in the Apple menu.
To set up the new location, go to System Preferences / Network. Click on the lock and enter your Admin password if necessary. Then select Airport in the column of services on the left. Then click on Assist Me in the panel on the right. Then click on Assistant.
The Assistant will tell you it is going to set up a new location. Name it anything you want. Go through the rest of the prompts.
This solution is particularly relevant if you are trying to access a public wifi that initially routes you through a login page or welcome page. Such wifi setups may not be happy with some of the stuff you have setup in your normal "Automatic" location such as DNS settings and such. Creating a new location gives a fresh start.
EDITED TO ADD: OK just re-read your original post and I see you have tried setting up a new location already. Did you use the Assistant to do that?
--Bob
Message was edited by: BobP1776