You should use encryption. WEP is old and flawed. Use WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) until something better comes along. Install the Microsoft update for Windows XP with Service Pack 2 to fix the wireless client software built into XP: Patch for XP
I. Connect Your Wireless Router
a. Turn off your cable modem or your DSL modem and your computer.
b. UNPLUG the cable that runs between your computer and the cable modem or DSL modem FROM THE MODEM and plug it into one of the ports on the back of the wireless router. The other end of the cable should remain connected to your computer. If you're wondering why you're using a cable if this is supposed to be about how to set up wireless--it's because the cable is needed for the first part--getting everything configured. You'll be able to take the cable out later.
c. Connect a second cable between the cable modem or DSL modem and the router's special port marked WAN.
d. Turn on the cable modem or DSL modem and give it a minute or so to do its thing.
e. Turn on the router, and wait for a bit. Give it a good minute or two to finish what it has to do inside. You're ready for the next step.
II. Set up and secure the router
a. Turn on the computer.
b. Take out the instructions that came with the router.
c. Launch Firefox or Internet Explorer.
d. Put the address that the instructions gave you into your browser URL (not into the Google search box, but one at the top of the brower). Hit ENTER.
e. Directions for completing the set-up process should appear on the screen. It can take a while for them to appear the first time. Go pet the cat.
f. Enable your router's security functions. The options will be WEP and WPA. Follow the router's directions carefully at this point.
g. Change the default password for the admin account. THIS IS IMPORTANT.
h. Change the default name of the network (a.k.a. the SSID). You can change this to something a hacker would not guess. As long as it's not the default, you're WAY ahead of the game.
III. Last part: put the wireless card in the computer
a. Here you have to follow the directions that come with the card.
b. When you're done, and the card is in, power up the computer.
c. With any luck, the computer will recognize and enable the card for you.
d. Go to the Control Panel, Network, Wireless Networking and Properties. Click on the "Wireless Networking" tab. Choose the name of your network (see "h" above). Click "Configure." If you chose security settings as in part I, you'll need to enter that information now.
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