3Com 11g USB / WAP11 / BEFSR41 - still no internet access

I am still struggling to connect to the internet via wireless, as
described in an earlier post.
I will here try to give a more thorough explanation of the problem:

Network topology:
Linksys BEFSR41 router/gateway connected to DSL modem.
3 desktop PCs wired to router through separate switch.
Linksys WAP11 wireless AP connected directly to switch on router.
Laptop with 3COM 11g USB client.


Settings in router:
WAN: Static IP
WAN IP: 81.0.XXX.XXX
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.192
Default gateway: 81.0.XXX.XXX (same subnet as WAN IP)
DNS1: 193.75.75.75
DNS2: 193.75.75.193
configured as DHCP server, hands out starting at 192.168.1.100
Firewall disabled

All the wired PCs gets IP leases from the router and can access the
internet without problems.
Example of Ipconfig response from one of them:

DHCP: Yes
Auto config: Yes
IP: 192.168.1.101
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
Def. gateway: 192.168.1.1
DHCP server: 192.168.1.1
DNS1: 193.75.75.75
DNS2: 193.75.75.193

WAP11 is configured with SSID broadcasting, WEP disabled, MAC address
filtrering diabled and "obtain IP automatically".
I can also see from the Client IP Table in the router that the WAP11
is assigned the IP 192.168.1.100 (MAC-adr shown in client table = MAC
of WAP11).
Management of WAP11 possible through assigned IP 100.

In the Network Settings in the laptop the following is entered:
IP: 192.168.1.50
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
Default gateway: 192.168.1.1
DNS1: 193.75.75.75
DNS2: 193.75.75.193

The USB client connected to the laptop obviously manages to connect to
the access point, the 3Com SW shows both signal strength and link
quality of approx 25% and connecting speed=2 Mbps (some obstructions
between client and AP).
The Wireless Network icon in WinXP appears in the system tray as
"Connected" (Red X disappears).
I can also see from the WAP11 log that the client manages to connect:

…System start
…Wireless PC connected MAC: xx.xx.xx……

Despite this internet access is impossible from the laptop.

For some reason no networks are shown when I right-click the WL
network icon in the system tray and select "view available networks".
Everything is "grayed out", no networks listed. Shouldn't my
connection to the AP appear there?

Have also tried to configure laptop with "Obtain Automatically", but
then the "Link Quality" and "Signal Strength" bars in the 3Com
software disappears and the network icon in the system tray shows
"Signal strength: Excellent". It appears as if the entire connection
"hangs", probably during DHCP requesting.

When running Ipconfig /release and then /renew, a very long timeout
occurs (as if Ipconfig hangs) until Ipconfig responds with an error
message.
Does not WAP11 pass DHCP requests on?

Any idea on where to start from now? I believe this is not to big an
issue for an experienced WLAN wizard, but I am pretty stuck.

Arne

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I can be reached at:
<first name>.<last name (a for å)><at><charlie><two><india>.net


Arne Nåtedal