DLink Communication Problems

[rclothier]

I'm trying to get the computer to talk to the robot via the DLink. I have followed the instructions in "How to Configure Your Radio" umpteen times. It's all good till the end of the instructions.

Then what??

Once it is set up, shouldn't you be able to ping the DLink? I can do it when it's connected with an ethernet cable, but when I disconnect the cable, I get "Destination Host Unreachable." It's the same for Bridge and AP.

I'm basically a dummy when it comes to communications. I've been reading all the threads I can find, and have gotten nowhere. So, I apologize if the questions are elementary, but here goes.

How can you confirm that the DLink is communicating with the computer?
What IP should the computer have when driving the robot?
If the DLink isn't communicating, what do you do next?
Extra dumb question: is the wireless on my laptop going to reach the length of the field?
Do we need the router at all anymore?

I don't even want to tell you how many hours I've wasted on this. Any advice would be appreciated.