[xintas]

One thing which springs to mind from the symptoms you report is when a computer "connects" to a wireless network which uses WEP encryption, however the WEP key is incorrect. It appears to be connected however you are unable to access the internet.

Because you report that connection via a network cable is fine, there is nothing wrong with the internet-side of the router config, so I can only assume that there is a mismatch between the wireless settings in the router, and those in your laptop.

My next steps to diagnose something such as this would be to log into the cable router and check the wireless settings (Network name, or SSID) and the security settings (WEP, WPA, WPA2) and the shared key used to secure the network, match with those configured on the laptop.

To be honest, that kind of diagnostic is beyond anything I could sensibly talk you though here, and it would involve you posting information from your access point which could pose a security risk.

As the cabled connection works but the wireless doesn't, my advice would be to try and track down a "tame" IT bod, and exchange a cup of tea and some choccy biccies for a half-hour of their time to come and sort it for you. I get asked all the time by friends and family to fix home networks!

Wish I could be of more help..

Xin