wireless PCI card won't connect

I have a Netgear wireless access point (router) that works perfectly
with 2 wired and one wireless computer.
I installed a wireless card in another PC. When it boots, it won't
automatically connect to the network although it sees the network.
I can connect manually after I get into windows and it works fine until
I reboot.
Upon booting into windows, I get a red X through the network notification
Icon in my tray. Next to it there's an icon that shows the
card's util has launched. If I double click this util
icon, I get a box that 'warns' me that I'm
not encrytped and asks if I want to connect even though
I'm not encrytped. I check 'yes', then it connects and
I can use the internet.

As a workaround, I tried turning on encryption.
With encryption enabled, it connects automatically to the network, but has
the wrong IP address (it shows 0.0.0.0 although I have it set
to 'assign an address automatically/DHCP). So because IP is wrong,
I still can't get on the internet. With encryption disabled, it always
has the correct IP, but won't connect automatically.
result of these two problems is that can't use the internet wether I'm
encrypted or not (unless I intervene as explained above).

My wife's computer, a laptop, has a wireless connection to the same
access point, It connects automatically, has neither problem described
above. She's running XP professional, the 'problem' computer is
running XP home.

Is there a way to force the card to connect to my access point
automatically when not encrypted?
Is there a way to force the correct IP addy if I am encrypted?

Jeff B