Internet connection problem after migrating from Powerbook G4

Question

After starting up my friend's new Macbook 2ghz for the first time, I migrated everything from his old Powerbook G4. However on starting the machine for the first time, although the Internet Status suggested his Airport connection to his Netgear router was working and that he was connected to the Internet, this was not the case, as the registration info could not be sent to Apple, the time/date wouldn't update and he could not browse or check e-mail.
Initially it occurred to me that perhaps the Netgear router didn't like the fact that the same Network settings (IP address) had been given to the Macbook when it had a different MAC address. However this didn't seem to be the case as I was able to add the new Macbook to the list of trusted devices and turn on Access Control, but this still didn't work
Eventually when I turned off the security settings, so that the password was set to "none", instead of WPA/PSK and then did likewise for the named network on the computer, I was able to get online at long last
However I don't want to leave the wi-fi system without any password protection for obvious reasons. His Netgear router is a newer model than mine and it had a choice of WPA2, and when I tried this and did likewise on the Macbook it was still working. Yet the matter gets more complicated as he also has a PC on the same wi-fi network and this would not accept the WPA2 setting on the router and I could not get online with the PC
I dont understand why WPA2 worked on the Macbook but WPA didn't and I need to find a password setting that works for both computers. I don't really understand the WEP option as the encryption choices are 64 and 128 but there's no 64 on the Macbook. More importantly I don't have the foggiest how to get a desired password, as when you put in a "passphrase' and click "generate" the router produces four different keys which are all decidedly impossible to remember and so totally impractical if you need to use these to log on.
I appreciate that this is a bit of a confusing query but if anyone can offer any assistance., I would be extremely grateful, as after all the time it took me today to suss out actually getting his new Macbook online, I am loathe to mess around without really knowing what I am doing and so I need to find a security option that can be used by the Macbook, his older Powerbook and a PC running Windows XP
With my utmost thanks in advance for any help you can offer, but please bear in mind I'm a bit of a techno-nincompoop so please be gentle with me
Many thanks
Bernard

Answer 1

Thanks a million for bothering to reply, it's very much appreciated. I rarely seem to get much success when I try searching in Apple support but I guess that must be because I choose the wrong search terms.
Since all the equipment is relatively new and quite high spec, I believe I should be able to use the WPA format and it's a matter of finding an arrangement that works with both the PC and the Macs. What I don't understand is why the Macbook appeared to be connected to the internet with a WPA password, but wouldn't in fact get online, until I either changed to no password, or to WPA2?
However I'm extremely grateful to you because those docs all proved well worth reading, if only so I might understand some of the technical gobbledigook (the avoidance of which was one of the principal reasons I became a Mac evangelist in the first place), as the whole password encryption thing has always been a complete mystery to me, hence for my own wi-fi set-up, I long ago settled for hiding the network and turning on the trusted devices access control, just to avoid having to deal with any of this technobabble. However my mate wants people to be able to log on to his network if they turn up with a laptop, but at the same time prevent totally open access to his internet connection to all and sundry, so this is not an option.
What really bugs me is that the interface for the Netgear modem/router (and any other router I've had experience with) never seems to work properly on an Apple, no matter what browser I use and having sold his family on the whole Apple experience, it's usually a bit embarrassing to have to squeeze my mercifully narrow backside into a baby's chair in order to use their PC to resolve any router issues (as the PC is only there for the kids to play games). But invariably it's only by using the browser interface on the PC that all the various options seem to work
Again much appreciate you going to the bother and the fact that there is relevant stuff in the support library leads me to believe I should attempt to find some more details which might resolve the WPA difficulties I've experienced with the new Macbook.
Meanwhile, although I am not so keen on the new glossy screen on the Macbook (I'm amazed you can't have the option of a matt one unless you get a bigger Macbook Pro), you've no idea how envious I am having to set up his new toy when I can't afford one myself. Mind you, the last time I told this bloke that if he wanted decent support for his iPod, he'd have to buy me one, he returned from the US with a 60gb model to match his (sadly pre-video iPods), so perhaps I should make matters more complicated by installing Boot Camp and Windows, so that I have to tell him that I can't offer support over the phone without one of my own
Kind Regards
Bernard
Macbook 13" 2ghz"   Mac OS X (10.4.5)  
Powerbook G4 1.67mhz 15"   Mac OS X (10.4.5)  
Powerbook G4 1.67mhz 15"   Mac OS X (10.4.5)  
Powerbook G4 1.67mhz 15"   Mac OS X (10.4.5)