Cannot connect second computer to my net...

I have listed several things here that you can use to find the problem. Sorry this is so long...network problems can be very tedious to find.

First check your version of Windows:
Double click on "My Computer", then click on "View System Information" to make sure you have at least Service Pack 1...or better yet....Service Pack 2.

Next check your Windows XP network settings:
Click on Start....Control Panel....Network Connections...Local Area Connection...Properties(button). Scroll down the list to find Internet Protocol(TCP/IP) and click on it to highlight it. Now click the properties button below the list. You should now be able to click the small buttons to select both of the "Obtain....automatically" choices for IP address and DNS server. Click on "OK" to close each of the windows.

Now you can test your computer to see if it is "talking" to the router: Click on Start...Run...and type "cmd" in the small box and click "OK". This will open a black command window where you tell the computer what to do. Type the command "ipconfig" and press return (enter). This will list your ip address, subnet mask, and default gateway. Make a note of the default gateway address so you can use it for the next test. If the IP address begins with 192.168...then your computer is probably communicating with the router okay. If your IP address is blank or starts with 169...then your network connection to the router may NOT be working.

The final test!!! Use the default gateway address from the last step to do a "ping" test. In the black command window...type "ping" followed by the default gateway address. For example: IF the default gateway happens to be 192.168.1.1....then type the ping command this way: ping 192.168.1.1

If the result is a list of replies from the gateway address...great!! Your network connection is working. If the ping command results in a list of "request timed out", or something else, then your network connection needs more help.

The ultimate test is to try using the Internet with your browser.
If this works, next try typing your gateway address into the brower address bar. It should connect you to the router setup page.(?)

Let me know the results of each of these tests, and I'll be happy to assist you further, if needed.