Internet router also used for networking?

[JAFL]

This might be a dumb question, but I'm hoping someone here can enlighten me about routers.

I recently purchased an internet router to be able to connect to the internet with my laptop. I also have a desktop (with cable modem) that is serving as the host computer.

My question is, should my laptop be able to network with the desktop (should I be able to access the desktops C drive, files etc with the laptop?? Or do I need a different type of router to also be able to network?

The internet connection is working great from the laptop, but I wouldn't know how to view my desktops drive even if I wanted to.

Every time I boot up, I am getting a firewall message for "System, trying to connect to my computer", but I've been blocking the request since I don't know what that is.

Can anyone shed some light on all this in laymans terms?

Thanks.

 

[andross]

Ok, first you wanna make sure you have all the physical connections correct.

The way it should be.... you'll have an Ethernet cord comming out of the modem and into the router.
Then another ethernet cord will come out of the router and into the desktop computer. The laptop will connect wirelessly.

Then you'll want to make sure they are both on the same workgroup.. do this by right clicking 'My Computer' and cllicking properties. then click on the tab called computer name. Typically they would be in "MSHOME" or "WORKGROUP" just make sure they match up. After you need to go to the properties of the folder you wanna share and click on the sharing tab. enable the share and then on the computer you want to access the files from you will go to "My Network Places" the shared folders should be located there. Good luck!!