I am looking at using a wireless router for internet, for my pc downstairs & laptop upstairs, any idea's which is a good one and how does this work? so clueless, sorry

There are many different opinions on who makes a good wireless router. However, my preference would be d-link or Linksys. Linksys has gotten much better since being bought by Cisco (provider for all the big networks). If you r new to this, the primary thing you want is an easy setup. Both of these companies have a pretty easy self install processes, especially if you only are hooking up 2 boxes. One thing to remember, always enable your encryption. You don't want some low-life neighbor stealing your signal or corrupting your network. Check out the websites for both of these guys. Compare features and do some reading. It will pay in the end.

You'll want to use a router and wireless adapters by the same company to reduce compatibility issues: most outfits sell a Wireless Networking Kit with everything you need to connect 2 clients to an included router wirelessly. You'll want a system that supports the latest encryption standard WPA. WPA is both more secure and easier to set up than the older WEP protocols. The router comes with a 4-port switch because you have to connect directly to it during setup. You can connect clients to it using Ethernet as well as wireless which is convenient. Some wireless routers even have a built-in print server so you can connect your printer for network access easily. Pick a router that supports the type of Internet drop you have: If you're using a DSL modem with a USB output the router must support USB, if it has an Ethernet output the router must support Ethernet on the WAN side, etc. Setup can be frustrating because the router has to be able to detect your network and if it can't you may have to set it up manually. Your ISP's technical support should be able to talk you through it. One problem many people have is that the XP firewall may be enabled on the client being used to set up the network and it blocks attempts to connect to the router. Disable it before starting. Another is that the client may not be able to automatically connect to the router because it's set to a fixed IP address outside the range the router supports. Make sure that the Client's TCP/IP protocol is set to "Assign IP address automatically" and "Use DHCP Server for WINS resolution" before you start. The router comes with a default SSID broadcast name that you should change as part of the setup for security's sake. It doesn't hurt to disable SSID broadcast but you'll have to input this manually during client setup. Also make note of the "broadcast mode" used by the router. You'll need to match this on the client(s). Once you're setup enable the wireless network, select a WPA passcode, and run the Wireless Networking wizard on the client(s). (It helps if the client is in the same room with the router while you're setting it up.) The wizard should detect your wireless network and display it in a list of available wireless connections. Under the properties for this connection enter your passcode and select, "Automatically connect when in range". As you move the laptop around in your house you may find dead zones where the signal drops out. Generally means there's too much metal between the router and client. As you move out of the dead zone the client will automatically reconnect. You can minimize this by moving the router to a central point in the house away from any plumbing or metallic wallpaper or the like. Most routers have 100' - 150' broadcast range, a few have up to 1 mile range. The more metal between the router and the client, the lower the range. If your workstation/network device isn't mobile you usually better off running Ethernet cable to it. With a laptop you probably want to go wireless, however.