Although cable to desktop connects to internet, my router from desktop to laptop via router won't connect.

Connecting laptop/computer to wireless router
If you have a wireless router and it is connected to the DSLor cable modem and Internet then -To connect to your wireless router, the router needsits wireless settings to be configured with the SSID, encryption key etc., alsothe wireless cards and wireless adapters in all the laptops/computers needs tobe configured with these router's wireless settings. Then the laptops/desktopcomputers can communicate with your wireless router and access the Internet via the DSLor cable modem.

To secure your wireless network from unauthorized access,please click on this link and follow my instructions :-http://www.fixya.com/support/r3559128-wireless_router_security

If you have a wireless router and it is connected to the DSLor cable modem then - To connect to your wireless router, the router needsits wireless settings to be configured with the SSID, encryption key etc., alsothe wireless cards in all the laptops/computers needs to be configured withthese router's wireless settings. Then the laptops/desktop computers cancommunicate with your wireless router and access the Internet via the DSL or cable modem.

If you have a wireless router and it is connected to the DSLor cable modem then - To connect to your wireless router, the router needsits wireless settings to be configured with the SSID, encryption key etc., alsothe wireless cards in all the laptops/computers needs to be configured withthese router's wireless settings. Then the laptops/desktop computers can communicatewith each other via your wireless router and access the Internet via the DSL or cable modem.

Dont enter the Router IP as WWW.192.168.0.1, Instead just type 192.168.0.1 and it should let you access the Router EWS Page. you are trying to access Internal network ( which we can call local network or LAN ) so do not use WWW.

In the Address bar of Internet Explorer, just type the IP Address.

Do you need to see the desktop or just share folders from each other? If the latter then you need to do the following:

Use Windows Explorer and select a folder you want to share. Right click and select sharing and security.

On the sharing tab click on Share this folder. Enter a share name ( I like to enter the PC name _folder name; Rick1_Downloads)

Click on Permissions. If your ok with everyone using the PC's and Laptops having access then highlight Everyone and click on Full Control.

Do this on each PC and Laptop.

That should be it or darned near close.

check that your router is working that lan cable is working, and right click on network places in your laptop screen go to the properties and check there local area conection is enable if disable enable it and check your ip, if there is no local area conection you have to install the network adapter driver

It appears to me that you have everything plugged into the desktop PC. This is not the way that it should be done. Plug the cable modem into the wireless router via the Internet/WAN port. Plug your desktop PC into one of the ports numbered 1-4. Now connect to the router via the wireless connection for the router and you should be able to now connect to the internet with your laptop.
If it still does not work, power down everything in this order: Laptop, Desktop, Router, Cable Modem. Bring everthing up in the reverse order (Cable Modem, Router, Desktop, Laptop) waiting for each device to stablize before moving to the next.
Once you get everything working, turn on your wireless security (WPA not WEP) asap to keep your computers and surfing safe, and to keep intruders off your network.

I may be able to help with this...but I need a detailed description of how you have things connected between the XP desktop, the cable, modem, the Linksys router, and the laptop. Also, is the Linksys router new?

Typically, the wan port on the wireless router connects directly to the cable modem with a cat5 network cable....then the desktop pc connects to the router...on port 1 for example...with a similar cable. Once the wireless router is set up properly, the laptop should then be able to connect using wireless.

Sounds like you are setup to use Internet Connection Sharing. don't do this. Have each computer connect to the internet via the router. If the router is wireless connect all computers wirelessly to the router that are wireless capable and any computers that are not wireless capable, connect them to the router via a cat5 cable to the cat5 ports on the router. This will solve your problem. BPCS