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Got the second router (Netgear 614) and disabled dhcp on it, but it still will not connect to the dsl/router. The DSL/router sees it as inactive, but I cannot get them connected wirelessly. Any suggestions?

Alien wrote:

You don't want the router bit. See, what we commonly call a wireless router, actually contains several things: a bridge, which connects the wireless part to the wired part, a router, which connects one (logical) network to another network, and (usually) a switch which connects several wired devices together.

Not all wireless "routers" are capable of operating in bridge mode, which means they just add a wireless network to a wired network. And even the ones that are able to do that, often cannot bridge a wired network to an existing wireless network, only the other way 'round (meaning they can't act as just another wired device on your existing wired network).

.tsooJ

I'm not quite sure I understand this. I'm want to take my living room equipment which all need ethernet connectivity, and connect them to a wireless router which then connects to a wireless router in  my office (which is connected to the internet).

Are you saying that this router would not be able to connect to my other router wirelessly? is there any equipment that can do this? Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks.

Check out dd-wrt, which is opensource, third party firmware for many popular routers.  I use it on my two Linksys routers and love it. 

It basically lets you do nearly anything you want with your router.  It will definitely let you set up a router to act as a bridge (and routers are usually less expensive than bridges), and plenty of other things.  I acutally found it and started using it specifically because I wanted to do exactly what you do.

Sometimes things get a little complicated in exactly how to set it up depending on how you want to do it and how complicated your situation is but it can be done, and there are fairly good instructions available on the internet and on the website for the firmware.  As long as you're willing to do a bit of work, it should meet all of your needs.  I highly recommend it checking it out, it should allow you to do exactly what you want to do.

Just a quick note here: Depending on what kind of router you're trying to put it on the most complicated part of the whole situation can be getting the firmware on the router, but again there are generally some pretty good and detaild, instructions avaialbe if you look around a bit.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv3/index.php

Stay AWAY from DD-WRT!!  It is a great product, but with your limited networking experience(nothing personal), it will be difficult for you to set things up.  All you need is an Airport Express.  An AEBS will be able to act as a wireless bridge, which you can then connect an ethernet switch to for your two devices in the living room.  The AEBS will connect wirelessly to your existing router creating a link to your network.  This should do the trick.  Now, there are cheaper ways to accomplish this.  But this way is far more reliable.