Connection IssuesFollow

I have been having a hell of a time getting internet connection on my laptop(desktop cant handle WoW) and I finally got some connection, but I am still having some problems. I am running on a broadband connection with no router.
So at first I couldn't get any connection on my laptop until I started manually putting in the IP address, gateway, DNS, etc. This seemed to have done the trick...but than I started running into another problem. Every hour or so(maybe less) I completely lose connection and to fix it I need to plug it back into my desktop and wait for it to get a connection and than plug it back in. This has happened consistantly 4-5 times and it is making it a pita to download all the patches. Well I can handle it cutting out on me every once in awhile as I am patching but I am concerned that while I am playing I will lose connection.
Any ideas or help that can be given would be much appreciated.