Mindy, here are some things that can cause a "no connect"
- If you have the WRT54G set with... Wireless Security... WPA (any variant). And you have a "B" wireless card instead of "G" in your laptop. Won't go. Check your laptop wireless card for type. Remedy, choose WEP instead of WPA.
- I had trouble connecting any "B" device to a new WRT54G v5. Period. And, the earlier versions of WRT54G are just great. Is your WRT54G new? If so, look on the bottom of the unit and you'll find v4 or v5 on the label. If it's v5, I recommend you return it immediately and find a v4 model (Google for how to tell from the serial number; there is no indication on the printed box). Google to see what problems other people are having with v5. I just bought a couple of v4 units at Radio Shack.
- Password/WEP code not matching.
- Apple? Apple laptop software requires that you setup the router with the WEP key in slot 1, not slots 2-4. Also, Apple may convert from password to hex (digits 0-9 and letters a-f, it's a base-16 number) different. Hmm... Think different, right? Remedy, put in the passcode as hex on both the router and the laptop.
If this doesn't do the job, write again with make and model, what v of the router, firmware, OS, all the details.
Best of the season to you!
-- Sally