First of all, I'm totally confused by the description of your network.  You say that the router gets its internet connection through the desktop.  What kind of internet connection is this?  Normally one connects to the router to a cable or dsl modem and all computers get their internet connection through the router.  Are you running Internet Connection Sharing on the desktop? 

Note that routers provide one way firewalls.  In other words, they protect against attacks from the outside.   If one somehow downloads a trojan virus to a computer and the trojan tries to send information out from the computer, the router's firewall will not stop that type of attack.  Thus, it is recommended that all computers that connect to the internet have a software firewall running that would stop such an attack.  Note that the firewall built into Windows XP is also a one way firewall and would not stop the trojan type of attack.

Regardless of whether or not a firewall is running, any computer connected to the internet is subject to viruses and spyware, both of which can severly affect the operation of the computer.   Viruses can be dealt with by running antivirus softwre with up to date virus definitions.   Spyware is trickier to deal with.  One has to be careful about what one allows to be downloaded on the computer by clicking links on the internet and one needs to run antispyware software, like Microsoft's currently free beta antispyware sofware.   Still, there is no single program that eliminates all spyware so one needs to be educated about what to download and what not to download.  In short, the computer can be messed up in just a few seconds of internet activity if one is not careful. 

If the Windows repair doesn't fix the problem, post back with more information including the full and exact text of any error messages that you get and better description of how your network is set up.

Steve

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your help.  I guess I didn't explain my internet connection very well.  I'm very new to using a router.  I have DSL and am using a router for both computers.  What I didn't know was that routers have built-in firewalls.  That certainly answers the firewall question for me. 

I do use my spyware programs faithfully.  I have both Adaware and Microsoft Beta on both computers and run them both at least once a week as well as a virus scan.  I was actually trying to run the spyware the other night on the laptop when it froze on me.  When I rebooted it wouldn't open up windows at all, and now I can't get in.  I was asking about the firewall only because I really don't know it's function.  I know about viruses -- been there, done that!  I'm pretty careful, but the laptop is not my computer either. 

I am running a reinstall, I think.  I put in the CD and repair wouldn't work without an administrative password, which my daughter says she's never used so doesn't know it, so I went for the next choice which was a reinstall.  I honestly didn't know what else to do and at this point I just want to get it working.  I'm not sure if this means the laptop will be missing any files or programs, but I can't afford a computer person right now, and I'm free!  lol 

I'll let you know if I get errors.  Right now all I've gotten is messages that the "set-up cannot copy the file," and then gives me the file name and I have to tell it to skip that file since I really have no other choice other than exit the set-up.  I'm just leaving it running, and it looks like it's going to take a couple of years to finish!! 

Thanks again for your help.  I'm sure I'll be posting back in a few hours. 

~~Shelley