Help For a (Somewhat) Newbie

Question

First, with all the Posts I see here, this topic may very well have already been covered, so I apologize in advance if it has.
I recently purchased a Linksys WRT54G Wireless Router. I am currently using a Linksys BEFSR41 (wired) Router, so I am somewhat familiar with how they work.
I purchased the Linksys WRT54G Wireless Router so that I could connect with my Son's Dell Laptop (wirelessly). Right now, there's a 50 foot cable leading from the BEFSR41 to his bedroom.
The BEFSR41 installed flawlessly, as I recall. Just hook the cable modem to the proper port, 1 cable to my computer, and 1 to his, install the software, and it works flawlessly.
When I tried to install the WRT54G, I ran the software, hooked the cable modem to the [proper] port, then hooked the cable to my computer and.....NOTHING! No cable connection, Zilch! I even tried using the Network Connection Wizard (WinXP w/ all current SP's).
One thing I didn't do. I didn't purchase a separate network or USB antenna for the laptop, as it has wireless networking built in. Second, I'm using "Pure Networks Port Magic," a little gift which materialized from AOHell at some point in time.
I've never gone into the inner workings of either Router, other than type the classic 132.168.1.1 or whatever just to see what was in there. I've never "tinkered" with any of the settings.
Any help appreciated. The directions seem pretty straightforward and lead me to believe that it practically sets itself up.
Bob

Answer 1

Many cable ISPs lock down the internet connection to a single device at a time. For that they remember the MAC address of the router or computer which is connected to the modem. They usually reset this after some time of inactivity or sometimes when you power down and up everything again.
Thus you could just power down everything and wait a night to see if the WRT connects then.
The alternative is to change the MAC address on the WRT to the MAC address of the BEF. You can use the MAC address clone function in the router through http://192.168.1.1/ Clone the MAC address of the BEF which should be printed underneath the router.
Another alternative could be to set the WRT up as access point behind the BEF. (Be sure to deactivate the MAC address clone on the WRT again if you tried it before!) See this post for how to setup the WRT as access point behind the BEF.
This kind of setup has the advantage for you that you are more free to position the WRT in the best location for your whole home.
As you are running a cable at the moment anyway: if your son does some gaming or other bandwidth intensive things he will probably more happy with the wired connection than the wireless. Depending on the obstacles between router and computer and other wireless networks in the proximity the wireless signal can degrade quickly leaving you with 1 Mb/s or less. For any online game that will be not enough...