Vista with Linksys Router

Hello,
I have two laptops. One with Vista and the other with Windows XP. I finally got my Vista system to work and then tried to set up the Windows XP. They all crashed.

The XP system will not pick up the internet even when plugged into it with an ethernet card.
The Vista only works outside my house in the front or back yard.

I wish they had told me I had to stand out in the yard with laptop to read e-mails.