local access and unknown network

>I have a Dell laptop and Linksys router. Up until a few days ago, was able
> connect fine. Now I cannot connect to the Internet, local only with an
> unknown network, even though it is my network (asks for WEP key). I can
> "see"
> my desktop on the network but no access. On the napwork map, there are
> dotted
> lines to the network name.
>
> When it connects, it goes "public" not private and makes up a strange IP
> value.
> If I make a static IP it will do the same thing.
>
> Is this something in Vista designed to make me crazy or is the adapter
> failing/failed?
>
> thanks.
>