Windows laptop not able to access internet thru apple express network

Question

I run macs all day long but was given a windows machine. I am trying to hook up on the net via a dsl apple network my brother has. I connect to his network but cannot get on the net. I have tried other(motel) wireless networks and they all work. He has had only 4 windows machines say they cannot connect. I am one of them. Have tried numerous settings but still no go. help anyone?
(should have just bought a powerbook!)
G4 desktop   Mac OS X (10.3.9)   Windows laptop

Answer 1

I am able to connect to his network.
Do you get a valid IP address?
If it is 169.x.x.x or similar then you have failed to authenticate.
What is happening is your PC can see the network, but is in fact not connected.
he is using a
wep password.
One of the problems with WEP is that the actual standard relies on a 10 character HEX key for 40bit WEP and a 26 character HEX key for 128bit WEP.
In order to make things easier for people, vendors use certain algorithms to convert simple alphanumeric passwords (or passphrases) into HEX keys, thus enabling people to use simple memorable WEP password rather than lengthy HEX keys.
The problem is that different vendors use different algorithms to generate the HEX key and therefore a ASCII password on an AEBS will be hashed differently on a Netgear client and vice versa.
One thing is a 13 character 128 bit WEP password will be hashed by all vendors in the same way (if you use 40bit WEP then a 5 character password is required).
Though sometimes not even that works and the HEX key must be used regardless.
AirPort: Joining an encrypted wireless network
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106424
Choosing a password for networks that use Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108058
Did you look at the guides I linked to in my other post in this thread?
I just cannot go on to the net. no
email or browser.
If you do have a valid IP address then in a browser try
http://17.254.0.91
and report back.
iFelix