this is why I suggest always taping the passkey to the router and the wifi to the bottom of the router. You might try resetting the router to default and go through the configuration again, have you tried first unplugging the router from the power and let it set a few minutes then plugging it back in? that is always the first thing to try. I would shut down the pc, unplug the modem and router, wait a while, plug in modem let it get fully established, plug in router let it get fully established, then boot pc an see if it seems to hold better.

My knowledge is limited so take the following with a grain of salt. I'm going to throw out some thoughts based on a hunch that could be wrong. Hopefully others will help direct the conversation. I think your issue is a router issue and not a Windows one. It's software question not a hardware one. Not all routers have the firmware to host a printer. Maybe the printer has it? I don't know for sure. If your router can handle the job, and if so it would need some installation steps and be unlikely to be plug and play, the printer becomes visible as a Network Printer to other PCs on the network. Just the same as if the printer were connected to a PC and you designate it as a Network Printer and not a Local Printer through the Printer Setup Wizard. The PC stations on a physical network need not be "networked" in a MS sharing system or group sense to use a Network Printer. If your connection (software setting wise) is effective, using the "Connect to Network Printer" option in the Printer Wizard on each PC will show this new printer as an option. Each PC may need to have printer drivers for it to work. A printer connected to a PC can always be shared, and the mix of Windows versions is a non-issue in my experience with the same setup. But, the PC the printer is connected to needs to be on for the printing to work. If it's off, the queue is held until it's turned on. Thoughts from others?

If your computer has built in wifi, then the only thing you need is an internet connection and a wireless router. If your computer is older and doesn't have built in wireless connectivity, you will also need a USB wifi transmitter. Ask at the store where you buy the router. Most will help you set it up and will even walk you thru it. Follow the directions on how to set up the router. The Ipod Touch also has directions on how to connect it to your wireless network. I set mine up without any problems and I am not a very well versed computer user.

Many thanks for your thoughtful responses. There is no Agere ORiNOCO IEEE; so that settles the matter convincingly and conclusively. I do tend to get attached to the familiar; once I have become familiar with them. I have got a "Montgomery Ward's" radiogram that works. I have some vinyl LP records that I play on it. There is a "Kodak" Instamatic 304 camera with a (dead) flash cube. I had tons of fun with an "Endeavor" Fujifilm camera. I often remark that I grew up in the dark age - when we used a developer tank in a dark room. I occasionally use a microscope that I acquired during my student days. But nothing can compare to the "VIC 20" - the first computer I ever owned. A friend taught me the rudiments of BASIC programming and my best effort was a program to troubleshoot lawn problems. (I am an Agriculturist by training and experience). I passed the VIC on to my wife's nephew. Having said all that, can you guess how many times I have been married? All the best for the season. Ron.