Laptop internet connection help

I have two computers, a desktop pc and a laptop. i was told that my laptop needs a network card and a router. what is the BEST router and network card? and how do i hook both of them up to the internet? any help please.

The best router and network card is the one's that work.

Follow the instructions you get with the hardware you acquire.

fwiw, I like products from Linksys but there are many excellent alternatives.

I am assuming here that you wish to move around with your laptop wirelessly. I would advise you to get a wireless router with a built in ADSL modem (one which includes a Firewall too) - Perhaps something like Netgear DG834g (or Belkin equivalent which I like personally). You then need to connect it to the desktop computer using the CAT5 cable which comes with it. Remove the current ADSL modem which you now no longer require first though.

Follow the instructions for the router until you have internet working on the desktop. Then for your laptop you need a PCMCIA wireless card which just slots in (providing you have a slot).

Having installed your laptop card as per instructions which came with it, you should then be able to pick up the wireless beam from the router and lock on to it. You should then be on the internet on your laptop wirelessly.

If you wish to also share files and a printer (which is probably connected to your desktop), then ensure that the 'workgroup' name is the same on both computers and that 'File and Print Sharing' is enabled on both via the 'network' section in control panel.

The above is the basic idea, but you may encounter further snags and so need to return here with specific problems as you get to them. Your first snag will probably be down to removing all firewalls from your computers - They are not needed any more now that your router's built in firewall is looking after things. (They can be re-added later if preferred when you have more settings experience).

Talking of settings - The router will handle most things, so don't fiddle with manual ones on the computers unless you need to later if things don't work.

....hope that helps