No internet connection after setting up router?

Hi,
 I have a Dell 8200 Series desk top  that I am trying to set up a Netgrear WGT624 Router too so that my husband can use his  Dell inspiron laptop to access the web. His Laptop already has a wireless card installed in it. "Centrino"
 
 When I first attempted this I found out my desk top had no place to attach the Ethernet cable, so first tried an external Ethernet cable.  Turned out to be to much of a hassle and used up all my usb ports and wasn't able to get a connection to the Internet with this method.    
 
So last night I installed a Netgear PCI Gigabit Adapter GA311 into the desk top, then hooked up the router etc in the correct order and after typing in the routers isp and going thru the settings  I still am not able to get an Internet connection.  I tried it at least 10 more times and waited the right amount of time in-between steps but still no luck.
 
 I access the Internet thru Optiumun Onlines DSL's Motorola's box which is hooked to my desk top thur a USB port   As far as I know I do not have a static isp, I can access the Internet just by turning it on so I don't believe I need a domain name etc added to the setting I tried it both ways but it made no difference..   I tried using the defult isp setting, the computers mac settings etc and this made NO different.
 
 Optiumun online is run thru my cable company, they do not support routers but they have No problem with me setting one up to their box.   I have called Netgear for support 3 times I could not understand what the man was saying all 3 times and he couldn't understand me. Very heavey accent and launguage problems.   But this all leaves me with not knowing where to go from here or what to try =(
 
 So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.   The outside of the NetGear Router Box says in just 5 clicks you will be up and running.  AAAHHHHHHHH!  Not in this house! Its been more like 5 million and im not even close.
 
Jill