You would need to insure that your cable modem is also a wireless router, then as long as your laptop has a wireless card either built in or installed (ie: “air card” ) You can access the available networks via that card’s utility or choose the Wireless Z config, if your laptop is running a Windows OS. If it’s running another system, such as Mac or Linux, they’ll have their own connection utilities, I’m sure. In the configuration process, no matter which OS you’re running, there’s sure to be questions concerning SSID (your modem/router’s actual name or ID) as well as which encryption (I recommend you be sure and encrypt your network,) method you’d prefer. Then as long as you don’t opt for the more in-depth process of configuring a new network, which would involve you understanding much more about the process, you should be able to hit “ok” or “apply” all your choices in creating your network. At that point, whatever OS you’re running should have a way to bring up your “network” or “connections” list, and there you should find your new network by its available ID. Hit “connect” or some similar key command on screen, and it will either ask for the SSID and/or encryption code you created when creating the network’s security settings, or it will automatically link up for you. Check your connection speed by double-clicking on the blinking monitor/tv in the systray/lower right-hand corner of the screen, by the clock, which will bring up the current packet sending/receiving speeds, if you’re using Windows OS. If should coincide with at least close to the top available speed advertised for your ISP package by your cable provider. If it doesn’t go into your connections, locate the connection you’ve established, hit “disconnect” and then reconnect. It’s possible that you’ve tapped into an existing GHz frequency somehow, and will have to adjust for it. This usually happens in most cases with mobile phone connections, but it’s possible for laptops to experience interference from things like cordless land lines in the house and such. If the newest connection isn’t any better, call your cable ISP and tell them the problem. Explain about your new network, and if necessary, let them walk you through the process, to insure that you haven’t missed anything in the network creation process.