wireless security

I set up my laptop with a Belkin wireless router that has 2 wired pc's
connected to it and I did the 192.168....thing. Now I have been told to let
windows handle the 'wireless' chores. Now when I go to configure the
security settings within windows and not at the 192.168...site, my wireless
network disables itself...and if I go through Belkin, why does it disable
itself again? How do I start from scratch?...and do I need to reset the
modem every time when I set securtiy settings either through windows or
Belkin. I had set up a wifi network for my brother with a Linksys router and
had set up security adequately I believe. I did all of this without a hitch.
I hope that I have explained the problem well. I need help as there are 3
other wifi networks in my neighborhood. The laptop is an HP zv6130 with
built in 802.11g wireless. All of the equipment is no more than 6 months old
with 2 desktops running XP Pro and the laptop running XP Home. Thanks in
advance for any help.

Rocco

Rocco