essjay

OK... bear with me....

We have a PC that is connected to the internet through a netgear router via our adsl modem.... Just as the instalation cd told us to do..... All working brilliantly NO PROBE THERE.....
We got the router so we could have my laptop connected via a 'wireless' network card which we purchased.... It's a SMC network card....
Well the guy at the shop did all of the installation etc and he tested it and he was able to connect to his network to test it out.... All good.... the network card picked it up straight away.....
So i get home and turn the laptop on and the little icon says disconnected.....
I rang the guy at the shop and he said that it should automatically detect the router and connect.... Mmmmm!!!
I open up the card manager program and it's like dutch to me....
I understand the SSID and passphrase... I know those.... but i am thinking it should be configured possibly??!! and i don't know how to do that....

the router is definately working cause i'm typing this....LOL!!!! it's configured correctly via the 'wired' pc but it's the wireless connection i'm having the problem with.....

Does anyone have any suggestions?... I'm ready to throw it out the window.... *sobbing*