I am not quite a novice, but networking is beyond me!

I have two computers, a dell dimension 4100 and a dell inspiron 8100 laptop.

I want to network them with a Westell 327W gateway. The pc has no wireless card & must be connected to the gateway with a cable. The pc has a Westell wireless card. Westell directs me to Verizon & Verizon is no help. according to verizon, the gateway is a router & a wireless gateway. I don't have any manual or install disc.

1. Do I need a router to connect the gateway to the pc?

2. Why won't the pc recognize the gateway through an ethernet cable? I enabled the ethernet adapter in device manager & connected the two, but the pc won't recognize the gateway.

3. could I have the wrong cable? I assumed if the ends fit the ethernet port it was OK.
The laptop connects to wireless networks OK using the wireless card advice is welcome. Thanks

Westell VersaLink 327W 4-Pt ADSL 2/2+ 802.11b/g Modem/Router - WES327W

The Westell 327W is an ADSL combination adsl modem and wireless router with 4 port switch.

This first and foremost requires an ADSL set up through your local phone company. Once an ADSL protocol is established then you conect your local phone line to the unit and then from the unit to the computer via the USB cable. ....or...through a passthrough cable ( <---must be )......or...through the wireless connection

Once the initial set up is performed then you will be able to set-up the wireless connections and add 4 more computers to the switch ports if you need to.

At the bottom of the of the linked page is a zip file for the set-up manual...the quick user guide is included so follow the instructions.

Thanks, lurkswithin Your just full of good news.
I have no intention of getting a dsl connection. So..oo, I'll forget it.

A standard network will not work. If you just want connect 2 computer to share files etc. you can use a crossover cable. Then map the drives.
They also make USB transfer cables for this purpose.

Otherwise you will need a router.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news....just try to establish the facts as they are noted....There are various ways to network without a router....S-n-M mentions the use of adapters and all....use the search/help in windows and just type in networking and see what they suggest!

Thanks for the information. I have a cable labeled TIA/EIA 568A...CAT.5 I think that's an ethernet cable. Will it work as a crossover cable?

Most ethernet cables are cross over...look at the plug end
in the middle the green/white & green pair is split by the blue/white & blue pair then you have a crossover cable....if the colored pairs are in order ( orange/white & orange, green/white &green, blue/white & blue, brown/white & brown...then you have a pass through cable!

OK, I have a crossover cable. thanks