Installing a second modem?

I am at a complete loss here! I'm not even sure how to explain my situation. Basically I have a desktop connected to the internet with broadband. My husband (a complete Luddite) has bought a laptop and wants to connect to the internet too, preferably with wireless. My internet connection seems to involve 3 boxes with flashing lights. I'm not even sure which is the modem. I really don't know where to start. Any advice at all would be very much appreciated!

 

3 boxes? Trace the phoneline from the wall. The box this plugs into is called your modem. One wire, looks kind of like a thick phone cable (here's a picture) comes out of the modem. Does this go into your computer? or does it go into another box?

 

The wire from the wall goes to a box which then has a thick cord to a second box which then has a flat cord to my computer. The second box also has a thick cord to a third box which has a flat cord to the phone.

 

on the second box- is there an extra port on the back for another wire like the one going to your computer?

 

Thanks, I think I've got it sorted. Basically guessed and it seems to be working. At least my computer has access but my husband's doesn't. It's a second-hand wireless router but the old password isn't working. I guess this could be a software queston but do you know any way to reset the password?

 

I would do a 'hard' re-set of the router and restore all settings back to factory default.

Should be a small reset button at the rear that you will need to hold in for a few seconds with a pen tip or similar!

Enter the routers configuration setup through your web browser and fine tune any settings you may need to setup your LAN correctly including a new password for router access!


Regards

 

what kind of wireless router is it? there should be a button on the back that says "reset" holding it down for 20 seconds should do the trick. Post the name/model and I can give you specifics. The wireless router should be plugged into your existing router (the "second box.") You could also replace your existing router with the new wireless one.