Instructions for setting WRT54GS security to WPA2? Can't find them anywhere.

Question

Hi,
I'm an amateur at this, so please excuse this load of ignorant questions.
I have 2 PC clients, both Dell Dimensions 3.2GHz 1GB RAM, Wireless-G adapters. OS is Windows XP SP2
The router is a Linksys WRT54GS. I'm using the wireless ports only, at least when I'm not modifying the security settings. Then I use a temporary cable to connect one of the PC's to the router.
I also have a TiVo DVR series 3 with a wireless adapter.
The router came with a copy of Linksys Advisor. When I ran this software I was able to set the security level to WPA-Personal. However I could find no option to set the level to WPA2.
I know the TiVo supports WPA2 because I saw the option when I was configuring it for WPA-personal.
My question(s):
Why doesn't EasyLink Advisor have an option to set the security level to WPA2? Is it just deficient, or does it check to see if the client PCs support WPA2 and disable the option if they don't?
How would I go about checking if my PCs support WPA2?
Finally, if I have to set the security to WPA2 manually, what is the procedure for doing this?
It's pretty easy to see how this can be done on the router's little web server pages; but as soon as I set the security to WPA2 there, I'm going to lose wireless connections to the PCs and I won't be able to access the router.
I know I can get there via a cable connection, but then what do I do? How do I set up my clients for WPA2?
What's a real pain about all this is that the EasyLink Advisor gives hints on how to optimize performance on secured wireless systems. It advises going to WPA2! But its Wizard doesn't give the option to do that. Its offline help file is minimal - it just says "use the wizard" and that's it.
The online help describes how to manually configure WPA but not WPA2. And the instructions for WPA are incomplete. They explain how to set up the router, but then do not explain how to use the enccryption keys when reconnecting client PCs. They just say to select the SSID in the wireless icon's connect menu, then click on connect. Where does the key go?
Thanks for your time in reading this,
Big Al Mintaka

Answer 1

First of all, Windows XP SP2 can do WPA2, however it requires a patch.   Go to Microsoft Knowledge base, article ID=917021 and it will direct you to the patch.
Sadly, the patch is not part of the automatic Windows XP updates, so lots of people are missing the patch.
Additionally, be sure to give your network a unique SSID. Do not use "linksys". If you are using "linksys" you may be trying to connect to your neighbor's router. Also set "SSID Broadcast" to "enabled". This will help your computer find and lock on to your router's signal.
As to why EasyLink Advisor works the way it does - I just don't know.
To setup WPA2, you will first need to patch Windows XP, then, using a computer that is wired to the router, go into the router and change the encryption to "WPA2 - personal"  with  "AES".  Reboot modem and router.  You are correct that you will now loose your wireless connections until you update the settings in your wireless devices.
Next go into your computers and likewise change the encryption to "WPA2 - personal"  (= WPA2 = PSK2 ).   (Note:  You do not necesarily need to specify "AES" in your computers (or Tivo), but if you are given a choice between TKIP and AES, choose AES.)
To find these settings for your computers, go to the wireless software in your computer, and go to "Preferred Networks"  (sometimes called "Profiles" ).  There are probably a few networks listed. Delete any network named "linksys". Also delete any network that you do not recognize, or that you no longer use.  Delete your current network  (this will clear any old settings).  Reboot computer.  Return to "Preferred Networks" and enter your network info (SSID, encryption, and key). Then select your current network and make it your default network, and set it to automatic login. You may need to go to "settings" to do this, or you may need to right click on your network and select "Properties" or "settings".  Reboot computer.
You will need to check the Tivo manual for how to change the Tivo to WPA2.