Try removing the security on the wireless access point - it sounds like the password isn’t being accepted.
Try entering the WAP key in different ways - as text, as hex pairs, as hex quads, hex quads with a - between, etc.

Scowl, scratch head, drink coffee.

Ok, I reset the WAP on the principle I could set a new key. Now all I get is “waiting for n/w to be ready…” Done lots og scowling!!!

That should have been lots OF scowling obviously. If you leave it long enough it says “connected” and displays wireless network as “Not connected… You are currently connected … to disconnect click Disconnect below”! Nice one

It sounds more and more like a login failure.
The box to type the WAP key into is often provided by the card driver. Different drivers expect the key to be in different formats.
Try:
s:plaintextpassword
xxxxxxxxxx
xx xx xx xx xx
xxxx-xxxx-xx
0xzzzz-zzzz-zz
0xzzzzzzzzzz
and any other combination
where 0x is literal “zero x” and xxxx, zzzz are the same encrypted hex key (which the driver will often have an option to produce for you).
Try a different wireless card and (therefore) a different driver.
Try looking really fierce perhaps, or maybe a few tears could get the sympathy vote?

I suppose that the card you’re using in the PC does support WAP?

SORTED! (after much faffing.) I changed the key on the WAP and couldn’t change the key on XP (where do you do that?). I resorted to changing the ID of the network & I could then put in the correct key on the PC’s. I changed the name of the WAP first - not sure what the the name is, I assumed it was the ID but I (eventually) found a seperate entry for that. I can’t believe how long a simple fix took - maybe I’m just not very good at this kind of thing
I’ll try & post some pics on the next blog entry showing the set up

Hey Dave,

I’m having the same problem networking my pc to daugther’s wireless pc. It sees the network, says it’s connected, says the strength is excellent, but is stuck at aquiring network address. Can you please describe for a layperson like me, step by step, what you did that solved the problem. Your post above doesn’t make it plain enough for me to follow in your footsteps.

I have xp on both machines. I am using a netgear wireless g router and a new edimax wireless card which got five star reviews on newegg, including from people who connected it to their netgear wireless g. one computer is an Emachine and the other, the wireless one, is an HP Paviliion.

Thanks!