I have just purchased a router and 2 laptop cards. Does anyone know of an 'idiots' guide to installing the equipment. I really do mean an 'idiots' guide including every single step. I can get nowhere with the instruction manuals that come with the hardware

This is not difficult. If you have Windows XP, its very easy. Plug your broadband modem into the appropriate port on the router. Plug your Network cards into the PCs. Turn on the PCs and everything should be detected.

I don't know what router you got, but the ones I've seen have very good documentation. I suggest you reread the documentation carefully. If there is anything you don't understand feel free to ask specific questions.

Any third party book is not going to have the details specific to your equipment.

Thanks for the reply. I have Netgear DG834GT router/modem and 2 x WG511T PC cards. I have a disc for both pieces of hardware. You say don't use them, the instructions say the opposite. It also appears from the manufacturer's instructions that you should set up the router/modem first, and then tackle the PC cards. Your advice suggests that you carry out both together (or have I misunderstood you). When I started with Tiscali broadband I emailed their helpline for assistance. They were brilliant with their reply - every single step was listed, and not one hitch regarding connection. Netgear should take a leaf out of Tiscali's book !
I will try your recommendations anyway, and see how it goes. I am just anxious that if something goes wrong, I shall mess up my existing broadband connection.

Your response illustrates my point about a 3rd party source not having the specifics for your equipment. I have installed network cards, both wired and wireless, on several XP computers. In none of those installations were mfg's disk required. The hardware was plugged in and XP detected the hardware and installed it.

Yes the Router/WAP should be installed first. Assuming that one of your PCs is near the router, that one should use a wired connection. So plug the broadband modem into WAN port of the router and your PC into one of the LAN ports. Boot up the PC and it should connect to the Internet. You may need to do some configuration on the router, but how to do that is specific to Netgear.

I do know that some Netgear equipment does not follow 802.11 standards. That may be the reason for the need to install software for them.

I believe netgear has 24/7 toll free support. Try calling them.

Thanks again for your latest reply. Still could not get the router working and contacted Netgear. After nearly 3 hours on the phone, neither could Netgear, so how was I expected to succeed ! They were successful, however, in screwing up my broadband connection, and I had to phone my ISP and make a completely new connection. Useless support. Large phone bill. End of story. Moral - don't buy Netgear wireless routers unless you are technically better than their own support team.

I'm not as big fan of Netgear, mainly because they don't use industry standards. Not sure how they could have screwed up your broadband connection. That makes no sense.

I'm very high on Linksys. I have a Linksys router and wireless router. Every time I've called their support, I've found knowledgeable reps who have solved my issues.

Thank you for your reply. I still want to move to a wireless router system and will try the supplier you mentioned.

Not sure if you tried this already, but most cable modems require you to reboot the modem after you switch to a different device plugged into it. So, if you unplugged the cable modem from the computer, and then into the router, you would need to unplug the power cord for the modem, wait a few seconds, then plug it back in, so that it can register the connection to the router with the cable system, and give it an IP address. Then, when you moved it back to the computer, that's probably why your connection was screwed up.

Attack of the (MAC)
Depending on your ISP many Cable ISPs still tie your ability to connect to their service with the original MAC address of your primary computer.(The one that is directly connected to your router.)This means they are expecting the MAC address to come from your network card not the Router.
One thing you can do (It can't hurt) is to use MAC address cloning.That may have been what happen to you if you have cable modem.If this happens again this is what you can do.
1.open the Command prompt.
2.Type ipconfig/all|more
3.press enter.
4.Look for a heading called Ethernet net adapter Local area connection. There you will find the MAC address.Write down your mac address.This will have 6 pairs of either letters of digits.
5.open your Router's management interface(Type in your Router's Ip address in your browser.It will be something like 192.168.2.1).
6.Look for a setting like MAC address cloning.
7.Enter the MAC address you found earlier and save the settings.
Your done!
Clark Kent