In article <36yfe.13584$dw1.10092@trnddc02>, John Keiser says...
> I believe the problem is that my network is "open" - no WPA - and SP2 
> requires WPA.  A previous Hotfix created this issue and seems to be 
> incorporated into SP2.
> 
> Not sure how fix except to revert to SP1.

Hmmm. I think I'll have to disagree with that based on my own experiences 
with XP Home SP2. My home and office networks are WAP-enabled g. However, 
I travel to clients that use a completely open network, and have no 
trouble connecting to them. In fact, one of my neighbors (I don't know 
which one) has a completely unregulated, unsafe, out-of-the-box open 
network that everyone on the street can connect to. We've all discussed it 
but everyone denies it's their network. Still, there it is, SSID=Netgear, 
open network. No limits on connecting devices, no passwords, no WPA, no 
nothing. If I didn't already have my own service, and I could rely upon 
whoever to keep that link open for years to come, I'd be inclined to 
discontinue paying for my own service...<wink>

Perhaps we can attack this from your router's end. Can you configure it so 
it will match your card's capabilties? I know you said you couldn't 
connect via wire, but I've yet to see a router that didn't have a cable 
connection. Check the back of it, or underneath. They usually build these 
things so they can be configured via wire in case all wireless connections 
are futile.

If your laptop has a cable connection, try running a cable from it to the 
router and configuring it through a hard link.

Alternatively, if your laptop doesn't have a cable connection, drag your 
router to a friend's house and hook it up via cable. Log into it and 
configure it. Then unplug it, take it back home, and try to connect via 
wireless.

Or, if your router absolutely won't support the configuration you need, 
perhaps an upgraded router may be worthwhile? (borrow one first, if you 
can, from a friend and make sure you can get your wireless working with a 
WEP- or WPA-enabled router (assuming your card supports one or the other). 
I know CompUSA in my area will let people bring their laptops in to test 
them out with new routers; maybe there's a store near you that will do the 
same...

Frisco