Wireless Network Connection Dropped at Re-Boot

Have a D-Link DI-614+ wireless router and Linksys WPC11 wireless notebook adapter card; at each startup of XP-Home the system tray double-terminal icon tells me the "wireless connection is unavailable," although Linksys' monitoring utility tells me there i
s a perfect connection running full-strength; if I double-click that double-terminal icon am given a window showing "available wireless networks," which in my case are known as "default" and "linksys"; if I select "default" and check the "allow me to conne
ct... although not secure" box I can connect fine, although I have to start all over next reboot; if I select "linksys" I'm asked for my network key aka WEP before connecting

Most important question is for advice on how to keep the network from dropping; my second question is if anyone knows were I can find my network WEP (if is't stored somewhere on the computer, would appreciate explicit instructions on how to pull it out) as
I assume a secure network is preferred over an open network; finally, any comments on pros/cons of secure vs open network are appreciated

Thanks in advance