Wireless Network Bridge Troubles

[anataseito]

I have a laptop connected to a wireless network. I want to have my desktop to have internet, being as it's a much better computer, but has no wireless capabilities. I have no cross-over cables, so I have the laptop and desktop wired through a basic router... My first try at the bridge, i couldn't even access internet on my laptop, it would show a page issued from my router saying I don't have internet. So I got that fixed, and can access internet on my laptop, but still none on my desktop. I know a bit about computer/networking, but I haven't dabbled much in this sort of thing. The two computers talk to each other... I just don't know how to finish making it work.

[cszeto]

Practically all wireless NAT routers include integrated switches for direct wired connections. You are better off that way, since it will not require the notebook/laptop to be "on" in order for the desktop to access the Internet.

Side note... If you are "piggybacking" off of someone else's unsecured wireless network, that may be against the law.

[anataseito]

How would I go about actually getting the internet to my desktop though? My router does not work for wireless, I don't know if it broke or what, but it's a 2wire router, and I can use it to simply connect the computers together to share files and such. So what I'm trying to do is Wiress~Laptop>Router>Desktop, Do you know what settings I need changed, or will using the router (which is for DSL technically I believe) not allow me to get internet to my desktop regardless of settings?

We have our own network, but just not a cable to get my desktop connected, and I know that XP machines have internet sharing capabilities.

[cszeto]

"I have a laptop connected to a wireless network"

"Wiress~Laptop>Router>Desktop"

"My router does not work for wireless"

Which one is it?

Normally the NAT router would connect to the ISP service either to a separate or built-in modem (DSL or cable) and then provide Internet access to the other devices connected to it. No second NAT router is needed nor supported by most manufacturers or ISPs.

[anataseito]

Sorry for the confusion, I thought the makeshift diagram would help :P

My laptop connects to our wireless router setup, and gets internet. It is then =plugged= into a 2wire router, which does not have wireless capabilities anymore, and my desktop is plugged into that same router. I'm just trying to figure out how to make a working bridge, to bridge my wireless internet connection, to my hardwired desktop computer. I'm just concerned with the laptop>desktop stuff. Can I not make a working bridge with my computer wired through a router? The only reason for the router is to have a connection with my desktop, because I don't think there's any other way to make it work with straight-through cables, and the cables are only a couple feet, and unable to reach the router T_T

If it's impossible with my current hardware, just let me know and we can all forget this little headache =P

[cszeto]

The most correct device to use in this situation is a wireless access point which has wireless client capabilities (a.k.a. wireless bridge). The key difference here is that it is designed specifically to provide wireless access to a wired ethernet-only device and is fully supported by the manufacturer in such a configuration.

Another, probably less costly, option is to get a USB-based wireless adapter for the desktop system. This covers situations where installing an internal expansion option is not possible.

The third option is to get an ethernet cable which will reach the desktop.

Software bridging is only available on Windows XP and more recent versions. It doesn't always work. ICS can also work here too, but both methods requires the laptop/notebook to be running in order for the desktop to have access to the Internet.