Possibilities of setting up network?

I have recently purchased a Compaq laptop running Windows XP with internal
wireless and have set up access with my older desktop running Windows 98SE
through a Netgear router. However, during that setup I don't remember doing
anything about setting up a network between the two computers. Well, I know
I didn't if it wasn't part of the instructions to set up the router. I was
too stressed after that to worry about a network. Now I think I would like
to set up a network, how do I do this? The main reason is I have business
accounts set up in Access 97 on my desktop computer. Would it be possible,
after setting up the network, to copy the Access program from my desktop to
my laptop for use away from home? Thanks in advance for your help with
this.