After quite a bit of comparing, I found out that the system
that didn't work was missing from OS2.INI the application 'Wireless LAN
Monitor:  Bindings' settings for the nics I use.  When I manually added
the required OS2.INI parameters (not a task for the uninitiated) the
disabled parameter disappeared.  So this e-mail was originally intended
to give xwlan developer a hint where to look - i.e. the bindings
section.  The only difference I could find between the two
installations was that on the system that worked without OS2.INI mods
xwlan 2.0 was installed before genmac.  

Now it becomes a more important
tribute:

I know others will join me in this appreciation:    I personally thank
Willibald, Christian and Netlabs for their efforts in bringing seamless
wifi to the OS/2-eCS community.  My, somewhat biased feeling, is the
this accomplishment brings upon an enhanced appreciation of the power
of OS/2-eCS

Hip, Hip, Hooray

Chris Clayton