I fully understand where you are coming from Conan - and I am not averse to involving TSO where necessary. I have found them to be extremely helpful in the past.
However, I basically entered into a contract when this WPN311 card was purchased. It has been back to the retailer who showed me that it works when he installed it into his XP PC.
It also works in my Windows 2000 PC.
The returns policy at this particular retailer is if the hardware is not faulty it will not be exchanged. I was aware of that at time of purchase so I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Netgear have been next to hopeless with their Technical Support. Over a week now and 3 cases later before it has now finally been escalated past Level 1 - the 'phone answering numpties.
How I wish I could have bought the complete kit from Linksys.
Would I purchase Netgear again - NO
Would I purchase from this retailer again - NO.
Some lessons to be learnt.