Arrrgh! Need computer help!
 

My cheap-ass e-Machines PC blew up. I need a PC at home to access a PC only network that is unavailable to Macs. So I bought a nice Dell with Windows XP (home). The old PC was connected to my wireless network (Apple Airport Extreme) through a Netgear 802.11 (b) PCI card. I pulled out the Netgear card from the old wreckage and put it in the new Dell. I installed the latest Netgear software. I get a little Netgear antenna icon with a red "X" through it. I've tried all the setup wizards I can find, but nothing works. Any ideas?

Right click on it and click status, or show networks, or whatever the thing to click is - can it see the network you wish to connect to?

(edit) Is it the little windows wireless network icon in the system tray or a netgear one?

Oh yeah, and if you're running Norton Internet Security, turn it off while trouble shooting. That program is the devils work

Norton sucks.

I've had problems in the past when the proprietary connection software and the Windows Wireless Zero Configuration driver/crap is running. I usually kill the Windows WZC and use the software from the manufacturer.

Like Cam said, what's the status of the card or network?

XP may be wanting to manage the connection instead of the utility that comes with your card/driver. Get to the network settings, right click on the wireless card, select properties, somewhere there is the option to let windows manage it. At that point, you should be able to enter SSID and wepkey/WAP info/whatver.

First problem solved. There was a hardware issue with another PCI card that I don't really need. I reinstalled the wireless card in a new slot and now the computer is connecting to the airport, but I cannot connect to the internet. I get a message saying there is a problem with the IP address. I can't seem to find the place where I can specify the IP address. HELP!!!!

What is the exact error message regarding the IP address? In the mean time here's some info for you.

First of all lets see if you're even getting an IP address. Go to start-run and type cmd. A black box should appear. Type "ipconfig" and hit return. You should see a line like this: IP Address: 192.168.x.x . If it is showing all zero's 0.0.0.0 then your nic is not getting an IP address from the wireless router.

If you're not getting an IP address are you using any type of wirelss security such as WEP? If so you'll need to set that up on the new system.

To put in a static address go to start->control panel->network and internet connections->network connections. This will very depending on whether you're in classic mode or not. Once you're in there find the wireless NIC and look at the properties. On the general tab click on TCP/IP protocol and then click properties. Here you can either use DHCP or enter static IP.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1130906865.jpg

often gives the kick needed.