[kiwiculture]

If your router is using a different external IP to connect to the internet, than your laptop is when connecting direct then you will definately have a different speed.

It's likely some auto configure thing gone wrong.

Connect with your old linksys or laptop direct
Write down the:
mac address
(this is the unique ethernet address the VM modem expects to see)

dns address
( this is where to lookup dns queries should be 194.168.4.100)

subnet mask
(255.255.255.252 for me)

default gateway
( this should be a 192.168.X.X number = local network router if not direct,
or a real external ip 86.17.X.X.X )

this will be in the router under status or setup or admin.
in windows xp you can find this from a command window with: ipconfig /all

Then manually enter those details into the netgear.
Your router should have two IP numbers it's local network address and it's external IP number which is given to it by VM
(after it reads the mac address).

For instance you'll need to tell it to spoof (pretend) to have the mac address of your laptop. It'll be something like 01:AB:CD:23:34:21.

This way VM will assign your router a good IP.

Also turn off wireless for now, one less detail.
Make sure you are plugging the modem into the uplink port of the router.

Hope this helps