Conn. wireless preferred networks.

I finally got the laptop working, somewhat, but it is kind of strange
sometime.
It has a connection with a red x through it.
it seems to work sometime, I have it fairly close to the other modem, so the
signal should be good.
It shows nothing in available networks, but is in preferred netwoorks. Says
wireless network unavailable
I referesh and doesn't seem to be an x in the preferred network, but still
nnotning in the available?
As I said it was working? Though I removed it in the preferred, now it
doesn't seem to recognize it.

Bruce