I would leave the desktops plugged into the router unless one is in a distant room you have 4 plugs in the back of the router to have wired connections, all of my desktops are in the same room as the router so all are plugged in. it does not affect any thing, does not affect speed. All of the routers are backward compatible so anything you have that is not N yes it will work with the N router and really you won't notice any speed differences. You want to set up the software for the router on your desktop which is wired and then just let the laptops connect to the wireless network which you will set up.
If you go with the usb adapter rather than a card you might want to get a short usb cable to use as a dongle to hook the adapter to so you can move it around that often times helps get a better signal.

see that is a problem if i have to set up the router on the desktop that is wired, because nothing will work on this computer as far as software. It is so horribly slow everything just freezes up, i imagine because i am running on virtual memory. I plan to take all my files off and clean up the whole computer as soon as i transfer off what i need, but in the mean time, can i wire the new computer to set up the router and then unplug it and plug this old one back in, or doesn't it work that way?

So does the USB adapter not work as good as a wireless card?

Any ideas on the first question? thanks

Your routers Usb port does not have software in it that would run a usb hard drive &/or printer. That usb port is for maybe a usb webcam? or somthing eise? I don't know what its for, read the manual or see the configurations or do tell - What make and modle router?

You can wire any computer that has a wired network port to the router then remove it at anytime and then use it however you want - wireless or otherwise.

A "print server" is simply a way to connect a printer to a network (a network is nothing more than two or more interconnected computers). As you probably know, you can share a printer connected to one computer via the network with another computer. A printer server just takes that first computer out of the equation, which frees up some resources on the first computer and doesn't require it to be powered on for someone on another computer to print.

Some routers also allow you to connect, via a USB, some kind of storage device (typically a portable hard drive). As you probably know, you can also share drives with other computers via the network. Like the print server, it frees up some resources and doesn't require the computer holding the shared drive to be powered on. Both are nice features but not essential. Obviously in the case of a printer the router would need to near enough to the printer for the cable to reach.

As for you old computer, my gut reaction (and with all due respect) is that you probably have it filled with a ton of unnecessary stuff that's causing it run very slowly. I have a friend who has the same problem. What you can do is reboot into Safe Mode with Networking. That will load the minimum necessary to get the machine up and running. Then you can remove the files you want to keep. Then you can run the recovery disk and return the machine to factory condition.

polarprincess-
Get your system set up without having to use your old computer. Here is what to do:

-Disconnect the old computer from the existing modem temporarily
-Run an ethernet cable from the existing modem to the new router
-Run an ethernet cable from the new router to the new computer
-Set the new router up using the new computer
-Remove the ethernet cable from the new computer: you can now use it wirelessly
-Take the ethernet cable end that you just unplugged from the new computer and plug it into the old computer. You can now use the old computer as a wired computer

Thanks for the wonderful step by step intructions, i have chemo brain from 8 months of treatment last year, and that is exactly what i needed, the only problem i still have though, is if i hook up the router on my new desktop, and keep my old computer wired, we are going to have to drag a 30 foot ethernet cord for both the xbox and the old computer through the house, but i guess whatever works.( i have spent too much money at this point to invest in an xbox wireless card too.

So then if i do it this way, I guess i don't need to buy a wireless usb adapter for the new computer? I will just not be able to have my old one on a network, right?

I have this brand new printer sitting here and it is wireless wifi enabled, so i assumed when i ordered it that i would plug the cord into the wall and that it would work with the router similar to a laptop, from my wireless devices.. so that is not true? i have to plug it into the computer and the router? What is the point then of it being Wifi? How do i get this printer server then? when i make my network? Do i still need it with the wifi printer? Uggh i am so confused. I don't want to get a router where i have to have the computer on to print, so i am going to look at different ones i guess. Thanks so much

you do not have to leave the new desktop hooked up by the wire you just have to do that to get the router set up done you need to do the install on it with the wired connection once that is done and set up just unplug it from the router and use the wireless connection by which ever means you put on it whether it be usb adapter or card, then you leave your old desktop plugged into the back of the router as you apparently had it.
The object is to use a wired desktop pc to be able to do the install of the router software, it has to be wired to the router, once complete it does not have to be wired to the router.

Be very very sure you set up your wireless network securely and use WPA2 security, set up a user name and password for the router itself and change the SSID to something random because that is what will be seen by anyone out there in range to see your wireless signal. Search on the forum for info on this we just recently had a LOT of discussion on how to do this with links to tutorials. If it is not set up securely anyone in your area can get into your network or anyone driving by.

If your new printer is wireless wifi enabled it should just be able to find your wireless network and join it, you will need to have the passkey that you set up in your router for your WPA2 security to log into any laptop or printer or anything that wants to join your network, it will ask you for that passkey once that should be all. I highly URGE you to get a note book have it beside you when you set this up and write down every single thing, user names, passwords, keypass, every thing you do not want to lose that info!
I write mine on an index card and tape it to the bottom of the router and keep a copy in my desk in my computer notebook.

You have the exact kind of printer you need for what you want, you are over thinking this and getting yourself flustered. Take it one step at a time. Do you have a router yet? If not I can promise you this one which is the one I just got is excellent and is extremely simple to set up using the cd. It is a G which is what I prefered because the N routers had bad reviews and this G had exceptional reviews, I have tons of speed and it reaches to the end of my out door property.
Linksys WRT54GS2 Wireless-G Broadband Router

if you look at the router page there they do have the N also. they also have the linksys usb adapter

Here is a link that might be useful: routers

ok well this will all be a big test for me lol. I will check out that router, but you don't think i need a dial band since i want to be able to surf the internet fast while my son is on his xbox? I guess i don't even know if my new computers will support the higher frequency or whatever it is. I do know my computers are very close to cordless phones, and a microwave and garage door opener if that matters.
I upped my internet speed a couple weeks ago and thought that would help with our slow computer, but i wonder if that matters what speed your internet is if you don't have an awesome router... can't a bad one slow you down?

Upping your Internet speed is not going to do anything to speed up a sluggish computer, but you will notice a difference with your new computer. And a properly installed router is not going to slow you down no matter how fast an Internet speed you have. In my opinion, there are no awesome routers. Some perform a little better or worse, but not in any way you would likely notice. It's like the difference between an expensive light switch and a cheap one...they'll both probably turn the light on just as fast.