On Fri, 4 Sep 2009 15:19:28 -0700 (PDT), zymurgy
wrote:

Windows can find the wireless network without any of the cr@p that comes on the cds.

That depends on the wireless card and if it has a standard chipset.
Anything from Netgear, D-Link or 3com should be ok, and recognised by
windows.

The chipset doesn't come into it. If it's transmitting the right kind
of wireless (and it will be) the computer will be able to pick it up.
The software provided on the computer will be fine.

Standard procedure with all this sort of gear is to ignore the
software provided. Connect to a computer with a network cable. Find
the address of the device from the manual. Typically it will be
192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 Type it into your web browser, in the
same way as you'd type a www. address. There may be a default logon
and password. Typically some combination of "admin", "user" and
"password". Again the manual will tell you.

Once you're into the device's control panel (which looks and acts just
like a web page) make any necessary settings. For an access point the
only changes you'll probably need to make from the defaults is to
choose a network name and set a password (so that neighbours and
passers-by can't access your connection).