hi jellybean me again

! i found a wireless usb adapter waiting for it to be delivred . now i have a weird problem my wireless router seems to of stopped working no lights on it as usual seems no power checked all connections etc but still dead i was under the impression my internet wouldnt work with out this must of been wrong? have u any idea wots up with it ? if its broke i will have to get another which is a pain but will be done just wondred how easy they are to set up we had a freind of my sons do this one took him hours ! thanks for any advice u can offer