ok here is the story......my laptop im currently typing on right now is connected to the wireless network the wireless network is set up as follows Cablemodem -> Desktop computer -> to wireless router My laptop feeds off of that. now my laptop and my other desktop computer are on the far ends of the house. i would figure saving time and networking my desktop computer to my laptop and have my desktop feed off the laptops wireless connection. when i connect it the desktop says its connected but the laptop says its connected but little to no connectivity. my main goal is to file share back and forth but if sumone could help with internet that would be nice. Mike

how is the router setup? have you entered the router with its software and checked its settings? did the router come with a manual?

Thanks for answering back so quickly........ the router is connected to the first desktop computer like so...... Cable Modem -> Desktop 1 -> Wireless Router which then broadcasts to my laptop The router wont let me connect more then one computer to it. And yes it did come with a manual . As I said before , my main goal is for file sharing between the laptop and other desktop. Basically I want this set-up Cable Modem -> Desktop -> Router -> Which then broadcasts to my laptop but I want a wired connection to my other desktop from the laptop. O one last thing I forgot to type, The router has WPA-PSK(TKIP) Security which i know nothing about Im new when it comes to wireless networks so forgive me of my lack of knowledge in this field. Mike

Move the router to before the desktops. You're adding a layer you don't need. Cable Modem - Router-Switch-two desktops and the laptop can still run wirelessly. And you can't run a wireless and a wired connection at the same time off your laptop as far as I know. Sometimes I think I understand everything, then I regain consciousness

ok, thanks for the info. now my desktop that is on the opposite side of the house, should I just buy like a 100ft long ethernet cable and connect it to the router? And if i do that would I still be able to file share between the laptop and that one? also as i said earlier my router only lets one computer connect to it and I dont know why. well...i'll try the new connection set-up as seawatch has posted and if it doesn't work then i'll put up another post saying the problem. thanks guys for the help. Mike

damn I forgot to add this into my last post I forgot to mention the fact in my very first post that it has an IP address conflict as the laptop and the desktop are sharing the same IP to connect to the DHCP server. thats why it comes up with a "little to no connectivity" on my laptop not sure if that helps anyones opinion on this topic but I thought I might add that. Mike

I suspect that one or both of the computers have an IP address assigned. Please check to make sure both are set to "Obtain and IP Address Automatically." It would be very unusual to have the router (which is acting as I dhcp server here) assign both computers the dame address. Sometimes I think I understand everything, then I regain consciousness