Hi....I won't provide any help; because I have also experiencing the same problem and hope that some experts can answer your thread. If my LT connects to other APs' ...just require it to be connect to MINE! I've read many forums, blogs and whatever until I am crossed-eye, already, and so far I have not found the answer. I've downloaded the latest updates for my laptop (Persario V4000) checked all the settings on my Linksys WRK 54. I owe another laptop (HP ze 2315) too which get connected here and every where else I take it just fine. When I try ipconfig on my Persario, I get the dreaded "media disconnected" error thingy. I’m not having any idea about what that means......WHAT MEDIA???? Lots of folks are considering the same thing from all the stuff I've been analyzing throughout bloodshot eyeballs. So, to make a long story longer, I'll be scrutiny to see if anyone solves your problem....and maybe mine, too.
Good luck.......to both of us!

Maybe the router is only giving out in a mode that your laptop is not able to receive. Older laptops are sometimes not able to support the wireless. I would check that. If that is not it then reset the router and reset up the network and see if you can connect. If you can connect without any security then you must be able to connect with security on the network.

Can you connect by Ethernet to the router? Do you detect the wireless network? Have you check that to make sure about your mother is not locking you out with MAC Address filtering in the computer?

It is sounding like that your Moms wireless (WiFi) is been encrypted. That's my problem, I recently found it out. My AP is also encrypted and I am not capable to find where I wrote down the WEP KEY. If your Mom has her recorded anywhere, it looks like you will need the same. As for me, it looks like that I am back at square one.

Okay, so you are not using Appletalk. My laptop which is hardly two years old so I wouldn't think that it might be that, plus when I first got it two years ago it was DID connect to the router - the same one now I can't be connected! As for connecting by Ethernet to the router - I have no plan about what you're talking about so if you are able to explain in a little more in detail then it would be helpful! My laptop DOES detect the wireless network, when I click on the network to connect it says that it cannot connect to the network. It also says that it is a "hidden" network, what does that mean? It is also an "unsecured" network so I didn't believe that it was encrypted or that I was being protected out or anything, but hey, what do I know. A little more help would be remarkable and GREATLY appreciated!!!
Thanks.