OK, it's rather early in the morning here and I'm definitely not "a morning person" but I'm going to try and help!

1. The 'Site Survey' screen will only show devices sending out a wireless access point signal (SSID), i.e. just the Versalink router.

2. Forget about wireless to start with. Wherever possible, always set up a network with cabled ethernet and then add the additional complication of wireless networking once it's successfully working through the cables. Otherwise, you're making it much harder for yourself than necessary.

3. What's the IP address of the Versalink?

4. What's the IP address of the PC? Is it in the correct range? Is it picking up an address automatically from the Versalink? Go to a Command Prompt window (Start Menu > Run > cmd > OK) and type ipconfig /all and press Enter. This should show you information for one network connection - the one between the PC's network card and the Versalink router. The 'Default Gateway' value should be the IP address of the Versalink.

5. Try sending a test communication between the PC and the Versalink. At the command prompt, type ping 123.456.789.0 (substitute the numbers with the IP address of the Versalink). If it is communicating successfully during that test, then you will get 4 responses, each saying "Reply from " followed by the IP address of the Versalink.

6. If it works OK from the PC, connect the laptop up with a cable to the Versalink and then repeat (4) and (5) to make sure that communicates as well.

Note that I haven't talked about the modem at all there - always break down your network troubleshooting into small sections. If you can't get successful or reliable communications between the client and the router, there will be no Internet connection anyway so there's no point having a modem attached - that will only give you more to think about and less to understand!

Okay, thanks to you all and now I can safely say that the entire dilemma is resolved! 'Problem was mainly that I didn't know the term "wireless access point" so I was unable to compose a good search string in shopping for hardware. I got an answer about all this from Actiontec support: their modem won't link to the Versalink because BOTH devices ARE routers. I'll need an access point instead. Hey, thanks again!

I'll need an access point instead

Oh, you mean like a WiFlyer

Originally Posted by Digerati

..you mean like a WiFlyer

Yes! Not to belabor, but I replied you at http://www.d-a-l.com/help/showthread...198#post145198

I'll opt for something under $25

lol Yes you did, and I was only hassling you.

However, since you mentioned your desires, I have found that when it comes to wireless devices, you tend to get what you pay for - and for $25, you would probably be lucky to get a solid connection if you are sitting right under the antenna - as long as no one uses the microwave! Not to mention, security options may be lacking as well. Be careful.

Thanks for the heads-up, Bill. But ever the cheapskate, I am at this very moment poised over the "Submit Order" button to purchase a brand new "Linksys Wireless-B Access Point 2.4 GHz Model WAP11" for $20 plus shipping. If you're reading this, it's already too late.

Understand you are immediately starting out two generations back - if you count 802.11n Draft 2.0 that was just released. Security needs to be your top priority. At the very least, you need to immediatly change all the defaults, use MAC filtering for your specific device only, and disable SSID broadcasting.

Digerati is right in that an 802.11b wireless network component is very slow by today's standards, operating at a MAXIMUM of 11Mbps and with a short range - you could quite possibly find that it only gives you 1Mbps where you want to use the laptop. Having said that, of course, you are on a dial-up Internet connection, which is even slower at only 0.056Mbps so, for Internet use, it should be absolutely fine!

Success, it works! And like you suggested DJN, I couldn't get the new box configured unless I first built a HARD-WIRED network of PC to Actiontec router/modem and to Access Point. That allowed me to run the setup software successfully -- then I had to dismantle that arrangement and reconstruct using my WIRELESS PCMCIA network card.

I haven't yet checked for range limits. When I do, I'll add one last post.