Setting up a Wi-Fi network

[Brian Turner]

Having great frustrations at the moment trying to set up a Wi-Fi network in my home - bought a BT router and tried to connect my main PC and laptop together, for accessing the internet.

However, so far, the laptop recognises the main PC, but won't access it - and the main PC doesn't recognise either the laptop or internet. There was an error message for "IP allocation" when using the Windows XP set-up wizard, but that immediately sends myself out of my depth - networks are not something I know much abot at all.

I took the precaution of disabling the Windows XP Firewall, but still nothing - perhaps it's the McAfee that's blocking it?

Another possible problem is that my old ISP software - which I appear to be unable to completely remove so far - may well be messing with the internet connection.

All in all, it's tempting to not simply commit to a full reformat of the hard-drive - but as I'm still trying to set up my home office, this is a complication I'd rather avoid.

Another curious point - in the Windows XP set-up wizard, when using a memory stick to transfer the network information, it asks to insert it into an access point before the second PC - but the router doesn't have any USB ports.

If I can't get this set up then I guess I'll simply have to take it back to the shop, but it would be very helpful to get this Wi-Fi network set up.

Anyone else have bad experience with setting up Wi-Fi? Any specific problems you had but were able to overcome?