laptop freezes while trying to connect to wireless secure network

Hi. I have a IBM thinkpad t30 with windows xp (with SP2). We just got Verizon FIOS toda installed at my house. My desktop is connected to the wireless router (actiontec MI424WR) by an ethernet cord. I haven't successfully connected to the internet via wireless by secure network on our router. My roommate has.
I have a Belkin Wireless Notebook Card (it says "802.11g 2.4 Ghz" on the card, and its model F5D7010). I haven't had any trouble connecting using this card (it goes into a PCMIA slot on the leftside of the laptop) at places like panera or the wirless at my dad's house.
When I try to connect to the secure wireless network,
a dialog box will pop up saying "Please wait wile Windows connects to "XXXXX" network" with a little green bar moving from left to right as its working saying "Detecting network type..." then the computer freezes, I can't reboot it via ctrl-alt-delete or move the cursor. So I have to hold down the power button to manually turn it off.
Already had the verizon tech support people remotely try stuff on my computer with the computer hooked up to the router via an ethernet cord. He suggested uninstalling and/or reinstalling the ethernet card. I've done that, same result as above. he also suggested getting a new notebook/network card. Since this thing has worked fine up until now, I'm open to trying anything before I get a new one. Can someone please help?
Thanks