All you need is a wireless router, Google "wireless router"

A wireless router has an antenna built in that will send the signal through the house.

Since you now have a cable between the cable modem and your existing computer, you should disconnect it from the existing computer and hook it up to the router instead. If you still desire internet access for the existing computer, run an identical type of cable between the existing computer and the router. The laptop will use wireless so no more cables for it.

Try to place the router in a location where its signal is not hindered by other objects that could block it or interfere. Then provide power to the router and you are good to go. Follow the set up instructions from the router manufacturer next. Call the router manufacturer's support hotline if you have questions or problems.

Examples of object that could cause interference are microwave units and cordless phones that use the 2.4GHz bandwidth (for example, 5.8GHz phones do not cause problems). Solution: I switched all of mine cordless phones from 2.4 to 5.8 several years ago. This is not a problem with corded phones.

The routers come in 'flavors' called classes: A, B, G, N for example. Each letter has had improvements over the previous one (more range, more speed). The newest is N, sometimes referred to as 'N-draft' or 'draft N' as well.

Each letter version is downwards compatible to earlier lettered versions. Thus a G laptop will work on a N Router and vice-versa. A N router does this, for example, by lowering the speed it normally uses down to the speed used by the G laptops. If you use G and N laptops at the same time, the router will only transmit using G thus slightly slowing things down for the N laptop users.

However, when most people buy new laptops, they get around this by matching upgraing old equipment to the router letter when/if possible. So for example, if the router uses "N" then try to use a "N" laptop and upgrade G laptops to N. You do not have any laptops so... you do not have to do this.

The N Version is technically a "draft" version because the IEEE Organization (who governs the standards for transmission) has not adopted a final N version yet. It should not be a hassle when they do but some people may prefer to wait to buy the final draft N; I am not sure if you are one of those persons so I mention this as a fyi.

I have different brands of G and N Laptops at home using the Belkin N Router and the mixture has not been an issue. At work they also use N in nonsecure locations with multiple devices and it has not been an issue either.

Technically, it 'could' be a problem if the final N Version turns out radically different than the draft but you would expect IEEE not to cause such a stir and you would expect them to suggest that router manufacturers provide software upgrades for draft N Routers to compensate if there were a possibility of such problems.

Thanks, luis_pr, for taking the time to write such a helpful response. I didn't ask the original question but it's a topic I'm trying to learn about. I've browsed the computer sections at local stores but what I learned was outweighed by the new questions that came to mind. I am making progress though and your explanation helped. - June

you should also read the thread here titled choosing a wireless router. I linked this site there and will link it here also
Wireless Router Guide
very good resource.
Searching this forum for setting up a wireless network will get you much info we have discussed in the past on this subject.

I want to thank everyone for all the help.I have printed all this. Maybe I wll be able to do it.Doesn't sound too hard.But never can tell with me .Thank you. Eileen

Thank You! Thank You! I am wireless. And it wasn't hard at all.Thanks to all of your advice. Eileen

Good for you, now the important thing with wireless is making sure you have it set up securely so that anyone driving by or neighbors can not get access to your network. On the router you got make sure you go in and change the user name and password on it and make it a very very secure password consisting of letters and numbers not a real word, I tape that info to the bottom of the router so it is not lost. I am sure the directions with the router details how to set up the security on it.
IF not or you have questions come on back and ask.

We may buy a laptop this weekend for wireless use around the house (our current desktop PC will still be a wired connection).

Besides changing the user name and password on the router, what else do we need to do for optimum wireless security? If our router

We have Verizon FiOS cable network.