I have the Actiontec bundle and have installed it on 3 different systems now.
It is extremely simple so you dont have to be too technically minded to install and there is a full walk through installation CD for the PC illiterati just in case.
The only time I needed the drivers off the CD was for the installation of the USB network card for the second PC.
XP recognised the router immediatley and I didnt have to install any secondary software for it to operate.
You can install this via USB but for best results, you should use the RJ-45 connection which should be on the back of yoyr modem.
What modem is it exactly your father has, mine for instance is a Motorola surfboard but I was not aware of a rebranded NTL version of any.