Connecting to a wireless network

[goldeneye]

I'd like to get my laptop onto the internet as soon as possible, though in the absence of a wireless network I will have to be using the cable modem. This presents two problems:
1) The cable modem is in use by the computer
2) The computer is usually always on and using it.

After a check on the back of the modem i believe i have found an ethernet cable socket, and i also believe i have an ethernet cable for my laptop. So my question is, would you think it would be a good idea to plug my laptop into the ethernet socket and (potentially) having the computer and the laptop running off the internet from the same modem?

I've already spoken to a couple of people about it and they both say I can do what i want to do without anything going wrong, though the last time i did something like that I caused the thing i was using to break. Funny story, but that's not for here. Anyway, thoughts please. Thank you

[goldeneye]

adding to that, does anyone know if i need to install the modem disk onto my laptop if i connect to it using cables?

[goldeneye]

forget that, its all sorted now. now i need to know if i can connect to a wireless internet connection (e.g. at uni) without logging on to their user network or without having an ISP or anything, and can someone let me know how to do this on vista home premium? Thanks

[ErA | zoe)ender]

Naughty goldeneye, you know there is an edit button

[goldeneye]

yea i know, i couldn't be bothered. i'll fix it later

[Name]

ha! bad boy!

anyways, I know nothing about the computers. I pla on them, not set them up.

call geek squad. they really work. (unless your poor like me)

[goldeneye]

yea done that and got it working, sorry about not updating. Turns out i needed to use the ethernet cable that came with the modem rather than the laptop cause the laptop one's too advanced. Anyway i'll lock it later.

[Ghost']

This thread contains more technobabble than a Doctor who deux ex machina!

...well not really