Required reading....? "How to set up a wireless network"

I want to set up a small home network - basically, just to share files between my PC and Laptop (both running Win XP home edition), hopefully to also share access to the internet (using the PC as the gateway - hope that's the correct term?)

I know ZERO about doing this - I do know that the windows XP wizard for helping you do this - didn't help me - at all....

Can anybody recommend a basic (and I mean 'basic' - we're talking 'see spot run' basic)book on setting up a home wireless network? Got to be basic, but also got to result in me having a network at the end of the day...

I realise I could probably get all the info I need, here - but I'd like to try and do this myself - if I can create something like this, I'm more likely to understand problems if/when they occur - that said, I've no doubt I'll be requesting some help during the process - even with the best of luck!

I have a Linksys Home Wireless-G PC Card for my laptop

For my PC, I have a PRISM 802.11G Wireless Adaptor (3890)

(ummm....so my device manager tells me....lol)

I tried and failed to connect the two, so their may be some of my 'crap' to undo before I can even start? Who knows....

I just don't have the knowledge to actual get it up and running....

I think I have all the actual hardware I need for printer/scanner sharing, stand alone HD sharing and possibly, broadband.

I've gone to Amazon, to check for some 'self help' manuals - but there are quite a few!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764539108/ref=br_bcns_1/026-6891164-1330012

Any suggestions or other advice, greatly appreciated!

This was the FIRST book I looked at - as you can see, the only two customer reviews for this item AREN'T encouraging

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0735614350/ref=pd_sim_b_dp_3/026-6891164-1330012

Thanks for reading this far....