Cannot view Wireless Networks although connected & Extender Problem

I'm new to wireless networks and I'm trying to connect to my brother's Wi-Fi network, with limited success, while at his house. There seems to be two problems.

1. I can connect to the wireless router - zoom ADSL X6 - and I get 2 icons in the system tray: one for the wireless network and another for an Internet Gateway. Both show different connection speeds, 1.5Kbps for the Internet Gateway and 54Mbps for the wireless network - which one is correct and why does this happen and what is the Internet Gateway - is this the modem part of the router? Also, if I 'View Wireless Networks' there are no networks in range even though I am connected to the internet?????
From my brothers PC using a Linksys wireless network adapter, it is possible to see the wireless network so why can't I??

2. Other people in the flat were having problems connecting to the wireless router so they bought a D-Link extender. However, even though I am only about 2-3 metres away from the router, I now seem to be connecting to the extender which is 10-15 metres away and therefore a poorer connection. I can see neither the extender nor the router when I 'View Wireless Networks'.

I have both the Remote Procdure Call (RPC) and the Wireless Zerp Configuration (WZC) set to automatic but still no joy....

Can someone please explain what is happening and any suggestions to a solution.

Thanks in advance

The internet gateway shows up due to a protocol called universal plug and play (UPnP). It allows you to control the internet interface of the router from your PC, although many people consider UPnP a security risk.

The wireless connection issue seems interesting, did the driver for the wireless card you have install its own wireless connection manager software? If so this will usually override the Wireless Zero Configuration service and networks will not always show up in the Windows wireless conenction manager.

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Jeremy

Marlborough WiFi Project