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.

VNC, Virtual Network Computing Windows/MSN messenger have remote desktop feature, Very nice, gives you remote control of a desktop .. but you have to accept the connection. Another words you have to use the desktop keyboard to initiate or accept the connection. With one of the VNC programs you just remotely connect with login/password and can remotely do things like rebooting/defrag/program installs, etc from your laptop without ever getting off your couch. Hdd ,,, thought everybody knew that one.. short for Hard Drive. If you map the full desktop hard drive(s) to your laptop you will have access to all programs and files it contains on your laptop just like another drive. Some of the configurations won't work unless you initially install the program on both desktop and laptop to build the registery keys but basic functionallity will work on most programs.

To use the wireless service, you need a wireless b/g card; most of the new laptops have this built in. Rather than purchasing MS Office, why not download free Open Office and give it a try? Once you are on cable, the download should not be too much. OO documents are compatible with Office, from what others here say. Several others here use OO and can answer any questions you might have. By all means get 2GB of memory. The size of the hard drive is up to you, but it sounds as if you don't need a huge one, given the history of your desktop. You might also consider later purchasing an external hard drive just for storage of pictures, music, and such. These are not at all costly these days. Look for plenty of USB ports and built-in memory card reader to help in transferring your pictures to the hard drive from your camera. A combo CD/DVD burner is almost a given, as that is pretty standard now. The 15.4" wide screen is not at all bad, but the 17" is nice if you can find it in your price range. Check around and watch the sale circulars. There are some great buys to be found.