However, I still can't connect with the netbook. What's happening at this
point is that although I appear to be connected to my own wireless
network, I'm stuck at "Acquiring network address." I opened Network
Connections, double-clicked on Wireless Network Connection, and the Status
is always the above. Packets are being sent and received, but I'm not
connected. Any idea of what I should try next?


Updates: I finally was able to connect the netbook wirelessly. I
disconnected from my network while it was trying to acquire the network
address. Then, when I had the list of available networks again, I connected.
I had to type in my security key and confirm it, and then all was
well--although it said I had a Manual connection rather than an Automatic
one. Today, however, when I turned on that computer and checked again, the
connection was Automatic.

I also had been having a problem with the laptop wireless connection.
Although I had been able to connect wirelessly by typing in the WPS PIN on
the bottom of the router (not the same as the security key), I couldn't get
a list of available networks.

With the help of a programmer friend in Germany and along the lines of what
was suggested by Paul about the Wireless Zero Configuration Service, I
discovered that the service wasn't "Started." (It needs to be Automatic and
Started.) To start it, I right-clicked on My Computer on the taskbar,
left-clicked on Manage, opened Services and Applications, then Services,
scrolled to the bottom of the list to Wireless Zero Configuration Service,
right-clicked on it, and left-clicked Start. It took three tries to make
"Started" stick (I don't understand why).

Once the service was started, I right-clicked on the Wireless Network
Connection icon in the system tray--and this time, in Properties, I was
offered a tab I hadn't gotten befo Wireless Networks. I opened that tab,
clicked on "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings," and
clicked on "View Wireless Networks." At that point, my network showed up and
I was able to click on it--and yet again type in the security key. This time
it took two tries. The first time, I connected but the connection dropped
almost immediately. I did the whole procedure again, and the second time it
took.

I THINK everything is functioning normally right now. At least I hope so.

Thank you, Paul and Yousuf!

Jo-Anne