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I'm suspicious that your router / hub /switch may be the cause of the issues. What model exactly of Netgear router do you have - we can then check it's specs.
Assuming a capable router, your setup should be:
modem <ethernet> WAN port [router] LAN port<ethernet> PC
to connect your laptop you can then either add a second ethernet cable from your router LAN port to the laptop, or go wireless.