Help with Netgear WAP and Laptop

I am attempting to configure a WAP / WiFi card combination in my home,
and I am running into some problems, so I thought I would consult
Usenet to see what I could find. Here's the situation:

I currently have a laptop which I use to connect to a SBC SNET DSL
using a USB Ethernet adapter. I also use a Netgear MA401 to connect to
"hotspots" when I am out of town. Recently, I acquired a Netgear MR814
v2 which I would like to use as my WAP.

This configuration is giving me trouble, however. I plugged in the
router/WAP without plugging the DSL modem into it, and pinged it with
no problems from the laptop wirelessly. When I went to the router URL
(192.168.0.1), I was able to resolve it, but only if I was logged into
the internet with the laptop through either dialup, or using the DSL
separately. Otherwise, it would ask me if I wanted to "work offline".

Now, I followed the instructions... hooked patch cable to laptop
dongle, CAT5 from DSL modem to router, and phone plug from residential
jack to DSL modem. I can ping the modem, but I still cannot connect to
it to configure it, unless I am connected to the internet otherwise.

At this point, I'm flummoxed what to do next. My end goal is not to
use the laptop wired to the router, but I simply want to access my DSL
using the laptop wirelessly. I can't even get any response other than
"working offline". I use RASPPPOE to create my DSL connections, yet
when I try to do so with the wireless card, it says " no PPPOE offers
were received". There is a step or two that I am missing here, but
I've been unable to figure out what they are. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Dave