The router has different cables than the phone dialup modem does. You plug the phone jack into the DSL modem, and from there you plug in to the router. The cable that goes from the router into into the proper plug on the back of the computer is also different, larger, than a regular phone cord. The network part of the computer it connects to isn't the same as the dialup modem, and that's what drives the connection until you have the DSL signal and can use the different port.

The second question: this means yes, disconnect the phone line from the standard phone jack (that goes into the internal modem). Your DSL jack is larger, so they won't get confused. If your DSL dies for some reason, then you can plug in the phone jack to the internal modem if you need it temporarily. Unplug it again--you don't want those devices duking it out.

My computers aren't networked either, but my computer is the one that was used to set up the router and that it is physically plugged into. The kids have the wireless network card.

Do yourself a HUGE favor and spend the money to upgrade to XP Pro, and put in Service Pack 2 and all of the updates. Turn the XP Firewall on (it works in conjunction with your other firewall, Symantec, whatever).

SRS