I have a Gateway solo 9150 and running Mandrake 10, New installation also new to linux. I'm trying to use a Netgear Wireless PC card WG511, in My reading I found that Prism 54 drivers may work. ( when selected in making a new connection they will not install.
Router is up and running on two other desk tops on window 2000 and XP.

I'm using a a WG511 wireless card and yes you need to use the prism54 driver. The problem is, mandrake does not include the firmware need for the driver to interact with the card (for licensing issues i assume).
So, to get it to work, first you need to download this file...
http://prism54.org/~mcgrof/firmware/isl3890
And then place it into the folder..
/usr/lib/hotplug/firmware/
(if the folder doens't exist, just create it).
Just reboot, it should work fine. If not, post and i'll try to help more.