Connecting Desktop to WiFi without Wireless Card?

I have a wireless router upstairs. Downstairs I have a desktop with no wireless card.

Is there a way to bring my laptop downstairs (that is connected to the wireless internet via a network card) and connect it to my desktop via CAT6 cable and have internet access this way?

Any thoughts?

 

You could use ICS.
For XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306126
For Vista: http://www.windowsreference.com/win...ternet-connection-sharing-ics-setup-in-vista/

 

Sorry but I'm on Windows 7 on the laptop (XP on the desktop).

I've tried looking up stuff about ICS but it doesn't seem to address the issue of the laptop being wirelss but the desktop connecting via a CAT5 cable (from the laptop).

 

Any idea on how to do this on Win 7 with a cat5 cable connecting the desktop?

 

Go here for that:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/share-files-and-printers-between-windows-7-and-xp/

 

Seems to me that buying a $20 wifi device (either USB or internal PCI) would be the easiest and most sure-fire method, but that's just my opinion.

 

What kind of signal strength do you get downstairs with your laptop? DLB's suggestion will work if the signal strength is strong enough.