Hi everyone,

First time here, completely clueless about anything technical and in desperate need of help, of course...

I got my first computer last year, a new Toshiba Sattellite laptop. It came with everything built-in and a manual; pretty much a plug it in and go sort of thing... therefore, I managed, after much trial & error, to get it up and running, including an internet connection using SBC DSL.

Last week I bought a Gateway EV700 destop at a garage sale (for what I thought was a great price) because I wanted my husband and I to both be able to be connected to the internet at the same time.

The guy I bought it from had it connected to the internet. So, I could see that it worked OK and he assured me that it would be simple to connect it when I got it home.

Hum...simple for him I'm sure. For me, I'm totally lost.

I got it all set up and it is working, other than I don't know how to get the internet connection to happen.

Can someone PLEASE give me an idea of what I need to do? I think I might need a ROUTER or to set up a network, or some such equally scary thing.

Also, if I have to set up a network anyway (just the thought of it is mind boggling...), can it be a wireless network so that my laptop can be used anywhere in the house?

Anyone think they can explain this to me in "simple, baby, this chick obviously doesn't have a clue" terms?

Thanks so much guys!
for wirless you will have to buy a wireless network card.....and wireless adapter???for dsl i guess you have a modem......you need a router....and cat5 cables and network card in the laptop and the new pc.......it may already have it in........so its dsl modem to pc>>>router>to the other pc....need anymore info then it here>http://www.wown.com/articles_tutorials/netgeneral/First: your laptop is connected to internet modem through a cable, yes?
You didn't say the model of your Toshiba Satellite. You didn't say the operating system for Gateway EV700. Are you sure that the computer is a Gateway EV700? Because I FOUND on net it is just the monitor... And not the computer with those other very important parts... Processor, motherboard, network card etc. I'm most interested in what type of network card it has.
You didn't say how many ports the modem has on it... (how many places on which you can insert the network jack for your computers).
If you want to connect two computers to internet, yes, you will need a router. If you want a wireless network you will need an access point ; I suppose that your laptop already has a wireless network adapter integrated.

Don't feel overwhelmed by what I said. Just say what you know, answer our questions, ask where you don't know something, ask something else  and we will TRY to solve. Ok?  How Home Networking Works