[Halcyon]

Why is he connecting the modem to his set top box ?
If he has amodem he doesnt need to use the set top box for Internet access and only needs that for his TV.

You should have one coax from the wall box going into the set top box and then the set top box connecting to his TV.
Then you should have a seperate coax cable coming from the wall box going into the modem. Why he didnt get a viginmedia modem I have no idea as he sould have either been connected straight to the set top box or as most people now a days to a seperate cable modem issued to you.

Ethernet cable from Virginmedia modem goes from modem to wireless router.
You will probably have to connect the laptop to the router by ethenret cable at first to set things up before it becomes wireless.