Can not get past "inactive" on airport?

Yep, can not turn airport active in Network prefs, "Turn Airport ON" button is grayed out. I believe this started w/ 10.5.8. My Mac pro is connected to airport w/ ethernet (bridged from a Linksys --ya know the linksys never has problems, it just runs -- what giver w/ apple's superiorty -- airport problems and printing problems just seem common w/ OS updates?), but I have to get on one of the other mac in the house have normal access to the airport.

I have trashed airport prefs in system config, hard reset the airport, but really no change? Thanks