What's wrong with my wireless network?

Q I am trying to connect an old Dell Latitude CPi laptop to my wireless network with a Belkin Wireless G notebook card model F5D7010. I have installed the software properly and the connection is working with the signal strength described as very good.

The WEP key entered is the same as the one used on other computers on the network. All I get on the laptop is ‘Acquiring network address’ and nothing else. I am using a Netgear wireless router.
Dave

A One possible reason for the problem is that there is a problem with the way the WEP key has been set up. We have sometimes seen Windows try to use the wrong kind of WEP key, preventing the computer from connecting to the network.

It is rare that wireless network software will tell you that there is a problem with the WEP or WPA key. We recommend using the Windows Wireless Network utility rather than the one supplied with the card. Once this has been enabled (refer to the specific instructions for your card), right-click on the wireless icon in the Notification Area and then View available Wireless Connections. Click on the ‘Change advanced settings’ link on the left. Left-click on the Wireless Networks tab and hopefully the wireless network you are trying to connect to will appear in the Preferred networks section.

Left-click on it once and then click on the Properties button. Make sure the Network Authentication option is set to Shared, not Open. Click in the box labelled ‘The key is provided for me automatically’ if there is a tick so that the tick disappears. You may need to enter the network key again. Click on OK to save the changes.