Windows 7: Force connect to range extender

I am just learning about this, but something seems wrong. I have included details as I understand them so far. I am asking everywhere and learning, but getting no direct answers/solutions



I have installed a wireless router (TPLink TL WA801ND) as a repeater on a Draytek Vigor 2710ne DSL router. My net card is a D-Link DWI 510.


I installed the repeater because I was getting a really weak signal in one room and frequent Web dropout.


At first I simply used TP-Link's auto setup software to ask for a repeater. This disabled the DHCP and made the modem a repeater that will link onto the Channel of the main router.


The problem is that on one computer out of three, (the one that needs the repeater) , I can see both the repeater and the main router, but can only rarely connect to the repeater.




Using M$oft's standard Network and Sharing Centre, I see only the main router.
Using D-Link's network software, I see two "available networks" on this machine. Both networks are on Ch9. (They were on the default CH6, but I was advised to try a different channel) Both are called "MyNetWork". But they have different "MAC (BSSSID) "values. One (the repeater) is 90:F6:52:B26:38.....signal strength 100% at all times The other is 00:50:7F:77:AB:E8....signal strength between 45-70%. The _latter_ _weaker_ one is the one that usually grabs the connection.


When the main modem does _not_ grab the connection (meaning that I am successfully connected to the extender) , if I try to dump the extender network and connect to the modem signal, I get a message about the password needing to be 40 bits or 104 bits and to enter a code that is either so many ASCII characters or so many other ASCII chars.



So. I go to the wireless manager and see two networks as shown above. Most of the time, whichever one I choose (double click it and enter the password) , I get lobbed to the weaker one. IF I succeed in getting the stronger one, THEN I cannot then disconnect and log into the weaker one (the router) because I get that funny 40 bit etc message. If I manage to connect OK to the stronger repeater, then leave the PC for a time, I find I have dropped back to the main router, and I cannot log back in to the repeater.


At this stage there _seems_ to be a _temporary_ fix. If I fond myself dropped to the weaker network, I have to turn off the repeater, refresh the network listing in D-Link's software, see only the main modem, then turn the repeater back on refresh the list, see two networks and then connect to the repeater. This will hold until I again find myself on the main router, after some undetermined activity.



Please help. This is driving me nuts.
Nick