Inconsistent Wireless Onnection on XP Home

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

I have a LinkSys USB wireless adapter (WUSB54G) connected to my Compaq AP1500 laptop running XP Home and a LinkSys Wireless Router/Access Point(WRT54G) connected to a Motorola SB4200 Cable Modem and a desktop running 2000 through Ethernet NIC. I have been having difficulty maintaining the wireless networking connection.
After having established connection and shutting down, the wireless connection is not available on the next boot-up - no wireless connection in Network Places. Removing the adapter and rebooting a few times had managed to get the wireless networking established. However, the network connection established has an identity of Connection n+1 where n was the previous connection ID. Running TCPoptimizer showed n+1 wireless connections.
How can I resolve this problem and maintain a consistent network connection?
Thank you in advance.