probably the easiest thing to do in your case would be to spend the $30 and just get yourself a decent 802.11b router. Sure your out the $30, but it'll save you alot of time. If you have 802.11g wireless cards, you could get a 802.11g router which will be a little pricier, but i wouldn't spring for it unless your transfering large files or large amounts of files, or if your streaming video somewhere. If its just for net access, i doubt you have over 11mb/s for your connection so the cheaper B standard will work just fine. Just make sure when you pop your new router in, you change the default password, activate wep, and make sure you specify your MAC addresses for your wireless cards are the only ones allowed to connect. If you designate your WinXP pro box as a DHCP server, you'll be opening up another avenue for attack with your system, which i'm not sure about attacking that, but i know the less services you run on a machine, the less holes or open doors for an attacker to go thru. So i'd say save the time, and spend the $30 for a router. I know tigerdirect usually has $30 dlink routers that are recertified, i bought one and i haven't had any trouble with it. although the DHCP page on it won't ever load...lol. which is what your looking for. so maybe you should steer clear of the Dlink 514 (i think thats the model number). hope this helps. and if you decide to go thru with the XP box DHCP server, just do a google search for a tutorial and i'm sure you'll find what your looking for.