Wireless connection fails to receive IP address

I'm trying to connect to a public open-access point in the building next door. My laptop picks up the wireless network without any problem and the signal strenth shows good-very good. However when I try and actually connect I can never obtain a valid IP address. I know that the network has no security settings so that is not the issue. The connection shows up via ipconfig but without any default gateway. flush dns/register dns have not done anything. Would anyone have any suggestions as to why this may be happening?

Why don't you wander round and ask them. If it's really a 'public open-access point' I'm sure they won't mind.

Thanks for the tip, Sarcasmo.

I can't do that as they aren't there until Monday, at which point I will happily do so. I have no interest in jacking someone else's private wireless connection. Although perhaps you'd like to alert them to my suspicious activity just in case.

Anyone else with a proper answer?

You might find help from the following link.

http://www.dslreports.com/faq/wlan/60.0%20Troubleshooting

Hi.
Maybe not as public as you think it is and it's not got a dhcp server running.
Cheers
Jon

It was a range issue (even though the signal was reported as good). A booster resolved the problem. Thanks most of you for the advice.