Jim,   Try reading this article. It works both ways. Share Files and Printers between Windows 7 and XP   Virus programs and firewalls will block communications.     Rick
My current setup is: Phone line > ATT DSL filter/splitter > Motorola DSL modem supplied by ATT> Ethernet cable> RJ45 port on Inspiron 1100 laptop w/XP.  This setup works fine. The DSL is the most basic service -- lowest speed. My daughter has moved back home and I built her an apartment in the basement. Want to get her some basic internet service. Her laptop HP Presario CQ62 w/Win7 Atheros AR9285 802.11b/g/n/ W.F. Adapter  I am totally ignorant on this subject, but from researching it looks like I would connect  the DSL modem to a wireless router, run the Ethernet cable from the router to the Inspiron 1100 (it does not have a wireless card), and wirelessly connect the HP laptop to the router after first physically connecting them for  setting up the address. Is that right? How hairy is it?. I want to go as cheap as possible -- am feeling tapped out after building the apartment. Something like D-Link DIR-601 Wireless-N 150 Home Router? It got good reviews at Amazon and they said it was easy to set up with clear instructions. The distance from the router to the HP laptop would be only about 15 feet but on different levels. If the wireless does not work can't I just run an Ethernet cable from the router to the apartment? [URL]
 2 Laptops on a DSL Line