How can I network my two computers while still keeping the Internet connection intact?

There was a network connection between the two computers before the desktop crashed. They are both using Windows XP. After the desktop crashed, a new hard drive was installed. Help and/or detailed instructions with advice on how to network my desktop and laptop again would be greatly appreciated.How can I network my two computers while still keeping the Internet connection intact?
place both machines in the same workgroup and make sure they reside on the same ip subnet, then you should be able to browse MY Network places%26gt; under microsoft windows network you should see your computer names and have access to them,you might be prompted to login if this is the case use an account from the computer that holds the share.How can I network my two computers while still keeping the Internet connection intact?
get a router