2wire 2701hg-d as wireless router

My linksys wireless router bit the dust, trying to resurrect this old modem for use as a wireless router only. I've got the 2wire 2701hg-d connected to my isp's cable modem and to my laptop via two of the lan ports. the lac connection gives me internet access (obviously...here i am...) but the wireless connection gives me no internet access...
i can login to the 2wire's firmware via the wireless connection...but i'm not sure what settings (if needed) i have to change.
i have just enough knowledge to be dangerous, apparently, and not enough to solve it on my own!
any ideas?
TIA

You can login to the router configuration via a wireless connection or with your wired connection?

If wired, then you probably just need to go into the configuration page of the router and turn on the wireless radio, since the dhcp must already be on to assign the LAN ports. If you really did mean you can login to the wireless connection, then what computer cannot connect to the wireless?