I have to erase my hard drive - what happens to the internet?

My desktop computer's hard drive need to be wiped clean, it hardly moves.  I have a wireless router for a network with a laptop and hughes is my ISP.  My question is how will the internet be affected?  Will I have to install it again and since the network is through the desktop, will it still work on the laptop?  Since everything is through the desktop, I dont see how it could but I just don't know.  I am running Windows XP on both computers.  Have a Netgear Wireless Router .  Any help will be appreciated.  Thanks

Yes, you will need to reinstall the internet settings on the formatted computer.
It sounds to me like you are using Internet Sharing, is this the case?

[Moderator]

Just reinstall the OS.

My desktop computer's hard drive need to be wiped clean, it hardly moves.  I have a wireless router for a network with a laptop and hughes is my ISP.  My question is how will the internet be affected?  Will I have to install it again and since the network is through the desktop, will it still work on the laptop?  Since everything is through the desktop, I dont see how it could but I just don't know.  I am running Windows XP on both computers.  Have a Netgear Wireless Router .  Any help will be appreciated.  Thanks

Doesn't your laptop have wireless capability?  If so, you could access the Internet with your laptop directly through your router rather than going through the desktop.

But why and how are you going to re format the drive?
Do you have a virus?
Is the HDD going bad?

My recommendation, and many others share this opinion, is to buy a replacement Hard Disk Drive and make a backup right away.
If something bad happens later, you can go to the backup. 

Re: I have to erase my hard drive - what happens to the internet?

1.  Stop the Presses.  Wow!   That got my attention!  Upon closer reading, it appears we have just another user with computer problems.  By design, the internet will continue to grind away; with or without you.

Like "soybean", I'm wondering why you have the desktop between the laptop and the internet.

2.  Desktop.  You have options (but backup data first):
     a.  Disable third party startups.  Use "msconfig" utility to disable all non-Microsoft entries from the "Startup" tab.  To access:  Start -> Run -> type "msconfig" without quotes, OK -> select "Startup" tab.  Uncheck the boxes.  Reboot.  Let us know if that makes a significant difference.

If you're feeling particularly bold, check box to hide all Microsoft entries, then on "Services" tab; uncheck everything (except Microsoft entries which shouldn't be displayed at this point - but look carefully).  Reboot.  Does this make a significant difference?

     b.  Run diagnostics on the hard drive.  Failing hard drive could slow the system.  Most hard drive manufacturers provide free diagnostic software that you download and burn as a bootable image to a CD-R disc.  Look for this on their web site support pages or see Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities.

     c.  Clean the system.  Scan for and remove all the "bad boys" from your system.  See the "Computer Hope Forums -> Software -> Computer Viruses and spyware" subcategory for this.  Start with Computer Hope Virus and Spyware section Guidelines.

     d.  Wipe the disk clean and reinstall the operating system.

3.  Laptop.  Reconfigure it to connect directly to the Netgear wireless router.