This article will help you convert your Windows XP and Vista based laptop in a Wireless HotSpot. One you setup your laptop as HotSpot then you do not need a router, switch, hub, etc… to form a network, in fact other laptops or PC’s can connect or access the internet through this newly created HotSpot

What do I need to set a HotSpot? 

Active Cable Internet
Laptop
WiFi on Laptop
Wired net connection
Once you have all the above things mentioned, you are all set to follow the steps:

How to setup HotSpot on Windows Vista:

Got to Control Panel
Click on “Network and Sharing Centre”
Under Tasks choose “Setup New Connection”
Wireless “Ad-hoc network”
Now type in a “Network Name”
Choose “WEP” password if you don’t want to share the connection with the entire world
Click “Internet connection sharing”
Done!
Now a WiFi enabled machine will be able to connect to the network you have just setup with the WEP password

Lets setup a HotSpot on a Windows XP machine:

Go into Control panel
Open “Network Connections”
Right click on "Wireless Connection" and click on "Properties"
Click on the "Wireless Networks" tab and select the check-box which says “Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings”
Under “Prefered networks” click “Add”
Type a name in “Network name” text box
Select “Shared” from the options under “Network Aut