linksys wireless router automatic setup

how do i connect my wireless router to my network?

i have a linsys WRT54 g wireless broadband router i do not have broadband because it is unavailable in my area as we speak. what i want to do is connect my desktop to my labtop through my wireless router the problem is that i can not get it all configured the software linksys sent dosent configure my router because it dosent have broadband it says. i have already connect it once and had it configured through the automatic settings in windows xp but after i shut down the computers aand restarted them i installed the firmware upgrade for the router and now i cant even get either the desk top or the labtop to connect. if i connect cables to the router i can get it to connect i just cant get it to work wirelessly
desktop runs windows xp home
labtop runs media center 2005
if any one has a recomendation on a book that has the specifications for configuring of networks or a network administrator book that would help me to get the knoledge to setup my network and continue to keep it up

its very simple, keep your network cables connected to the router and your computer.

>now on your wired computer > open your web-browser
> on the address bar type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 to access
your router, if it aske you for a username and a password
>type in: WRT54G(for username) & admin(for password) this is
case sensitive.

>once you got in, on the Setup>Basic Setup, enable the DHCP
setting.

to enable wireless network:

>on the wireless>basic wireless settings tab, hit the reset
security settings
>move to the wireless security settings tab and disable the
security mode, although i dont recommend this disabled for
a long time someone might be access your wireless network
and mess up your files, try to learn how to work with security
modes such as WEP and WPA Personal to secure your
wireless network.

i dont know anybook about networking, but if you go to http://movielibrary.lynda.com/html/modPage.asp?ID=144 and purchase a copy of this video, it covers a whole lot of things about basic networking and security and $70.00 is not bad. i highly recommend this video. it has a few sample videos you could watch, check it out and you might like it.

Password Protect your Wifi router

router