Adding a Broadband Router

Now maybe I am being a little simplistic but have you thought of using say a four port hub?? That is what I use in my computer room and I have up to five to six machines that can be hooked up simultaneously and I have two hubs to do that.

I think ICIT2LOL meant to suggest using an Ethernet switch, the term hub is generally used to refer to a device for expanding USB connections.

A switch will allow you to plug into the single RJ-45 port on the new router and expand it to multiple ports. I have an 8-port switch plugged into my router. You can get switches in many configurations, 4, 8, 16, etc... ports.

You can use your old router as a switch but you need to log into the admin control panel and disable the DHCP server. See how-to steps here: How to Reuse Your Old Wi-Fi Router as a Network Switch

I'm not sure what you mean when you say you can't get Windows 7 to recognize the new device. Routers and switches don't show up in Device Manager, they are completely external and part of the network, not part of your computer.

Yep my bad apologies for that - been a long day - that is what I meant personally my set up is a four port TP-Link with one machine direct to it and the other machines are served by two TP-Link switches from the remaining Ethernet ports on the modem/router.

Works fine for me and why I suggested my method.

Sometimes just sometimes the answer is so simple eh? and glad everything is going well for you and sorry about my mix up with hubs and switches.

Just as by the by you might find my bible handy too if you don't mind losing some of the "bling" like transparency - Optimize Windows 7 great stufff by an even greater fellow

I use it on all my machines no matter what.
John:)