Hooking up wireless Internet with an old Desktop and a new Laptop

[Sharp Canadian]

Hi, I just got a new laptop and now i want to get some internet on it, The laptop keeps searching for a wireless network and there isn't one around me.
My desktop PC is connected to Aliant High speed internet with a "Comtrend Adsl modem" What I want to do is some how get a wireless signal for my laptop in my house.
I dont know how to do this but I think I need a router to send the wireless signals out? do i need a wireless card in my PC?? and how does a router work?? and how is it connected? can I have a router and get wireless internet on the laptop and have wired internet on the PC?

Thanks for any help or advice!

[Panama Red]

I'm not familiar with your adsl modem but if it has no router functions here's what you would need to do. Install a wirelss router between the modem and desktop. Connect them with ethernet cabling and set up the router's security features from the desktop. Since your laptop is already scanning for a wireless connection, it has a wirelss NIC built in. You shouldn't need any addtional hardware. If you want to share files or printers between the two pc's use the Setup a Home or Small Office Network Wizard. Open the Network Connections window from the Control Panel and the Wizard link is in the left pane.

[glc]

This assumes your DSL modem has Ethernet and not just USB. Routers don't work with USB modems.

[Sharp Canadian]

Well the modem is just one provided by my IS provider, how do I tell if it has router functions?? Is that like a router built into it? "connecting them with ethernet cableing" is that a cable provided with a router or do you buy that seperately? and does the end of that ethernet cable look similar to a modem cable except bigger? and setting up security features is that something that is required or just a really good idea? and how hard would that be? is it like a wizard type program? And I think I can follow a wizard program to setup a home network.

How Do I tell if it is USB or Ethernet?? I think its ethernet because its got 3 wires in its back a modem to a phone jack a small plug/jack to an adapter/ wall outlet plug and then the big cable that looks like a modem except bigger.

Thankls for all the help!, Except for the few questions I mentioned I think I basically understand what I gotta do!

Thanks alot (again)
Sharp Canadian