try a full power down of everything I do mean everything. Power off the computers, the router, the modem etc. leave all power off for 5 mins or so, then power up in this order, power to modem only let it get fully lit up, then power on to router, let it get fully lit up, then power up your computers letting each get fully loaded. Then try to connect to your wireless, I assume you have put in your wireless network passphrase for the laptops that are trying to access the wifi network.

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.

pk, yes, frustrated is an understatement. Don't like spending so much time on such things that are probably easy. Did a lot of research with no resolve. Printer is hooked up to a desktop; DT hooked up to router. I don't "think" the printer is connected directly to router. Not sure what ethernet is. Laptop works wirelessly to the printer. Laptop is 8 mos old. Was working perfectly fine with printer until this new router was installed the other day. I have not tried plugging the printer directly to laptop. I'll try that in the morning. Brain is fried right now so I'll continue on this quest in the morning since I need the printer for work. Thanks for the help. Wonder if uninstalling the computer software from laptop, then reinstalling it again, will work.

Possibly. The first thing you should try is moving the existing router around. Sometimes even a few inches of movement can make a difference. Generally speaking you want the router to be up high and free of obstructions around it. The are also, depending on the router, hacks for the firmware that allow you to change the settings increasing, for example, signal strength. You could also look into different antennas for the router. Another possibility is to use a "repeater." While there are devices especially made for the purpose, they tend to be a little expensive. You can use another router, access point, or even some print servers to function in the capacity of a repeater and position it on, say, the first floor somewhere. The last alternative and one guaranteed to work, is to run a length of CAT5 cable between the basement router and your bedroom. Although depending on the layout of your house, that may or may not be easy to do. Another option might be to run CAT5 between the basement and first floor, positioning the router there.