Thanks Keef and Batninth for your replies.
The Netgear router was purchased at the same time as the laptop to enable wirless networking between the desktop and lappy.
I have had another look and the only identifying thing that I can find on it is,
" 108mbps Wireless Firewall Router WGT624 ".
My limited understanding is that the netgear unit is only a router therefore, not a modem, and that both units need to work together. Or do I have that wrong?