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

WiFi = wireless fidelity Go wireless and make your network private with a passcode ("key"). Like they said, you still have the wired ports if you want to hook anything up that way (such as the nearest computer). You'll need a wireless adaptor for each computer. For desktops, I found installing a PCI adaptor gets a better signal than a USB adaptor I tried, but the USB is simpler to install if you haven't installed a card into a computer before. That's based on one a single instance, so maybe the USB's are stronger now. Wireless G will probably be fine (they're on sale everywhere), though you could splurge and go for "N", giving even more range and speed, etc.. N routers were like $99 at microcenter. Anyway, yesterday I bought a Linksys G PCI adaptor on sale there for $39 (reg. $49), to be used with our new Dell running Vista to communicate with a Dell running WinXP. (I think the Linksys G routers were like $59.) I'm also sharing the printer that's connected to the XP computer, and doing so without a printer server, which everyone wants to sell you. There's a way to do it without it, but none of the store geeks will share that info. (Turn on file sharing and "share this printer", install the driver onto the other computer, then explore and find the main computer on your network, under it find the printer on the network, and select it.

I've bought routers from Amazon, the pricing and selection are (like most else they sell) very good. I think routers are the wrong part of a home technology setup to try to be economical with. You get what you pay for, not all routers are created equal though most use much the same hardware inside. It's the software and ease of setup that differs most I'd spend a few more bucks and find something from the likes of Linksys (Cisco) - D-Link - Belkin - that has good comments about setup, tech support, and performance. I'd personally have more trust in a lower model of a leading brand than the opposite. To each his/her own.

Sorry I missed that question. Depending on the devices connecting to the wifi signal, dual band MAY be needed. Or may not be. "N" is the newest wifi type using a frequency of 5 (and 2.4) GHz. Before "N" the most popular wifi was "G" using 2.4 GHz frequency (there was also "A" and "B" more years back). If you have any devices with a design more than 3 or 4 years old, they would have G but maybe not N. Newer devices all have N and often G. In theory, an N router will allow a G device to connect (at G speed, slower than N speed). But some G devices don't perform well on an N router (I have several important G devices that need a strong and constant streaming signal that don't do well with N). My own router has N (5.0 and 2.4) and G (2.4) and you can pick and choose what you use. I use G only with N and 5.0 turned off. If you're connecting only newer devices, an N only router would be fine. But a dual one would be ok too and you'd have flexibility how to use it. This is like the question "Do I really need electric windows on my car?" The answer is "the better quality model that's worth getting comes with that already." Others may disagree and are welcome to share their views.