Wifi connection with netgear router DG824M - one solution

I have the same router and have experienced the same contention issues with IP addr's.

I cannot get WEP to work with iPhone, MBP, Macbook or G4 Macbook. I guess the evidence points to the router having a f/w problem.

I use trusted PC's to secure my network & randomly experience contention issues. There doesn't seem to be a pattern???

Ok guys. This is the simple way i used to connect my iPhone to my Netgear router.
1. In your iPhone, go to Settings>General>About. Then, scroll down to "Wi-Fi Address". This is your MAC address. This you will need in order to authorize your phone in your Netgear page (which usually looks something like XXX.XXX.X.X (where "X" are numbers)).
2. Log in to you Netgear page.
3. On the blue left panel of the screen, click on "Wireless Settings". A new page comes up.
4. Click on "Setup Access List".
5. Click on "Add" to enter the require info needed for your phone to gain access to your network.
6. On "Device Name" I entered "iPhone". This name is irrelevant for i named my iPhone differently and using just "iPhone" worked. So enter whatever name you wish, but keep it simple.
7. Now, on "Mac Address" (the single most important info here) enter the number you obtained in Step 1. Make sure you enter it with the colons (:).
8. Add and apply, and wait for the blue bar at the top of the screen to do its thing. It will take only a few seconds to update the network.
That's all! Connect and enjoy!
I hope this was helpful. Let me know if it worked at defiantmacho@gmail.com

perfect -- i note that, more than once, when i add a mac address to my access list, the browser spins endlessly. so i hit cancel and it goes back to the list and the one i added is there, ok.
also, i didn't notice you mention that you have to have the checkbox 'turn access control on' checked.