If you've read a lot of threads, you should know that you have to either disable or properly configure all firewalls.  Have you done this?  Have you enabled File and Printer Sharing on all computers?  Have you designated Drives or Folders and Printers as shared resources? 

Steve

I turned off windows firewall and  configured McAfee firewall on inspiron, then turned off windows firewall and configured Norton firewall on compaq. I've done the file and printer sharing on both also. I installed the driver CD on both computers for the printer and the wireless adapter. The compaq works with the printer and the laptop only does if I have the USB cable plugged into it.

The Netgear wireless card is apparently one with that allows 108 Mbps, the router does not, and it is unlikely that printer does.  Have you tried disabling the high speed aspects of the network card? 

Steve

How do I change the speed on a card?

Since I don't have access to the user manuals for every network adapter in the world, I'm hoping that you have such a manual because you own the network adapter.   Have you looked at the manual?

Steve

According to the manual for the card it is 54mbps and the printer adapter is 54mbps. I 'm thinking of trying to uninstall and then reinstalling the drivers and then changing the network printer preferences. I did get my network up and running and sharing files but I still can't share the printer.