How do I connect a wireless router without a desktop?

I want to be able to use my laptop throughout the house. Until now, it is directly connected to the cable modem for internet service. Can I install wireless router software on the laptop, then disconnect the laptop and have it recognize its oiwn signal?How do I connect a wireless router without a desktop?
do you have a wireless card built into your laptop? if not then you need to get one. then go to Walmart and but a linksys WRT54G router for $50. plug the ethernet cable from the cable modem into the internet jack on the router. plug in the router. turn on the laptop and plug an ethernet cable into the laptop FROM the router. you need to get to the main config page at 192.168.1.1 and setup your security and WEP key. (its all in the instructions) once you have the WEP key and have named your network unplug the computer from the router and run the wireless network setup wizard...How do I connect a wireless router without a desktop?
Hey,

I have a question about this. I have had the same problem with just having a laptop and no desktop. I did what you said on here but now when I unplug my cable from the laptop it says I have a local but no internet connection. What should I do to get the internet?

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WEll u can confight the routers wireless setting if you hav a earthanet cable and connect it to router . and into a browser and type a serise of numbers that is said on the manual.



Then detect the network normall via wireless
The physical arrangement is:



1. ISP Modem which provides an Ethernet feed.



2. Router which takes the Ethernet feed from modem into its WAN port and provides a wired LAN Port feed to a network switch.



3. A network switch which is linked via wired cat 5 line to router LAN port and linked via wired cat 5 lines to wired LAN pcs and wireless access points.



4. A wireless access point which provides wireless broadcast to wireless LAN appliances.



5. Wireless equiped LAN appliances (e.g. notebooks with wireless adapters, desktops with wireless adapters, etc).



Some routers integrate a router and small network switch (4 ports) into one device. If you have this, you may not need a switch.



Some routers integrate a router, small network switch, and wireless access point into one device. If you have this you may not need a switch OR a wireless access point.



Some ISPs integrate the modem, router, small network switch, and wireless access point into one device. If you hav this you may not need a router, switch, or wireless access point.



Check first to see what you have and from there, purchase what you need.



Now you must configure the router and wireless to communicate as the manuals will direct you. You must use a wired link to the LAN to configure wireless access point and router. Even if the notebook will be wirelessly used later, configure things with a wired link - and make future changes with a wired link.



If your notebook has a built in wireless port already, you need no new software to link it wirelessly (but you must configure it). If your notebook has no wireless port, you will need to purchase a wireless adapter and install and confugure it. Most notebooks today come with wireless but not all do.