Wndr3400 - Dell XP Laptop Won't Connect To Router

I�m trying to get an old Dell XP laptop (g wireless adapter) working with my new Net gear (wndr3400) dual band router and hit a wall. No problems on my tower. No problems with a newer Dell laptop with an adapter or a grandson�s iPhone using the guest SSID. No problems with the TV on the 5.0G side of dual band router using same passphrase key. I see the router/SSID I want but cannot connect. I do not get a prompt for the passphrase/WEP key. I tried to follow instructions from a MS site that seemed to cover my exact problem but the behavior of the Wireless Network display does not follow the script.

Here�s what I do:

1.Right click Wireless Network Connection icon bottom right of screen

2.Select View Available Wireless Network Connections

3.Locate desired SSID/router with 5 bars (from router) and double click. Reads �this network requires a network key. It should because I assigned one. 9 ascii, 2 numeric 11 chars total-WPA2-FSK (AES)

4.Click Connect in bottom right of window

5.Entry for the desired router now says validating identity and a pop up box bottom right says windows was unable to find a certificate to log you into the network xxxx where xxx is my SSID.

6.This will sit there saying validating identity for 2-3 hrs with no results.

7.There was never a prompt for Passphrase /WEP key!

If I open up Wireless Network Connections display and select Properties then Wireless Networks tab, select my router connection (only one there) then properties, it shows WEP but network key fields are grayed out. A little bit earlier they were not and I could enter the 11char key but it rejected it as too short. I used to use this laptop for years with an older Lynksys g router.