So I am connected to my wireless router (airport extreme base station).
It tells me that I have maximum signal strength, but I can not use the internet or access my mail. I am a pc novice and after 2 frustrating days am at my wits end. Can any one help me.

Let’s start with the basics:
Did you ever get it to work after you did the security tightening? (I seem to recall it worked before. Does your Mac currently work on it?)
What security did you apply to the Airport base station?
What does the output of “ipconfig /all” say?

Yes the mac works.

No it has not worked after making it secure.

What does the output of “ipconfig /all I do not no how to find this out.

Sorry for being so stupid.

Actually, I had another post about your problem that you might have missed. I’m guessing that the utility you used for the Airport configured the Mac at the same time, right? You’ll need to tell the PC what kind of security you’re using.

Right, the physical address is 00-0E-35-0753-9D

What should I do next.?

If you set MAC address filtering, Make sure that the Airport knows the address you just posted and will allow it access. If you didn’t filter MAC addresses (on the Access Control tab of the Airport utility), then don’t worry about it.

The next thing at this point is the WEP key. From the screenshot of the setup utility I googled, Apple seems to call this the “Password”.  I believe that Windows requires the hex version of the key. This is the 13 or 26-digit alphanumeric number.

Again, exactly what changes did you make to the Airport? You’ll have to make the exact same changes to the TR.

I have looked at the properties in wireless network and it is set up with a 13 point password, this is all right but still no internet.

Try changing back the Airport and the TR to no security. Then make sure you can get on. After that, change one option (eg. just the WEP key or just the MAC filter) on the Airport and the corresponding option on the TR and test it. The go for the next option.

Sorry if that sounds vague, but you’re not being very specific on exactly what you’re doing. It would help a lot if I knew what changes you made to the Airport.

So I went back to the start, like you said and could use the internet. I have now added 128 bit WEP and a key, and yes, it works. Am I now good to go ?

Thank you for your continued help Drachen. You are the man!