Wp111 netgear Wrt54 lynksys, catches & drops connect

wp111 netgear wireless adapter USB
Wrt54GS lynksys router
wp111 scans, finds signal and blue light, holds aprox 2 sec. returns to scanning.
rinse and repeat.

WRT54GS good wireless connection to hp6480 wireless printer.
from the Cable at the wall, comes to the Router.
from router by hardwire to Puter (funky old dtop, which has an nVidia network controller, when i have disabled it i get no hard wire, just thinking this may be involved)
that's it!
want wireless; tripped over bad bad wire, injury.

using Network Magic 5.5, no help;
nor easylink. support on Cisco is for me incomprehensibel, but i tried.
nothing on netgear.

suggestion to rename SSID but was unable to make up my own, i think because of lynksys "SES" handy helpful setup.

i have not encounteres anyone with that symptom!
i find it hard to believe i am unique in this respect.
assistance greatly appreciated. TIA