Thanks for the replies, folks, I appreciate it...  I've gained some useful information

Anyhow, seeing as the Netgear DG834G is likely to be a problem for its intended use, I have decided to purchase another 8 port switch for downstairs.  I mean, it's only 25 bucks and no trouble to configure. 

I set up the wireless range extender so we can use our tablets and phones upstairs at the other end of the house and we're constantly getting 4 - 5 bars, whereas before we were lucky to get 2 or 3.  That is a big improvement.

Glad you're good to go, NORAD. 

I see that most have answered your direct questions, I will throw some more things out there for you.

Instead of running wires all over the place (My wife made me pick up all my wires), look at using existing wires to connect to your hub/switch or wireless.

Wireless you can buy a wireless bridge that a wire form the TV runs to and then connects wirelessly to your WAP.  (so the bridge sits next to your TV)  Not bad if they are in close proximity (wireless signals lose strength fast).

Or try Powerline Ethernet.  Use your electrical system to carry the signals.  The initial cost of that is a bit more than the wireless bridge (given you have to buy 2 initially), but if you have 3 or more devices to connect (and do not want to run wires), it becomes very economical.

The best thing is most of these things are dumb - which means plug and play.  At worse, you have to connect the bridge to your WAP much the way you would any other device.  But they basically are just dumb forwarders to your intelligent device.

Get a WD Livewire setup, same as Powerline. Amazon has it for 60USD. Hook it up to your main router and plug it into the wall electric socket. Hook the second unit (it comes with 2)into the plug and run up to 4 eithernet cables  to whatever you want to hook up. I've got 3 sets of these in my house and they work great. No set up, just plug it in.

Thanks Dr G.  I do have a wireless extender for in the bedrooms, where signals were weak and wired connections would have been a problem with tripping and such.

For the TV and media player, however, I prefer a wired connection for video streaming from downstairs, given that wireless signals can break up, etc.  The cable running from the router is pretty much concealed and emerges just behind the entertainment unit, so it is not an eyesore or a tripping hazard and provides good, strong signals to my upstairs devices.

Essentially, then, I have my home network up and running, and at little expense, too... a 10m cable and a wired extender = 35 bucks. I already had the rest laying around... I fix their rigs so family and friends bring me stuff they no longer want or need.

I looked into the WD Livewire setup and thought it a good idea, but I already had most of what I needed so couldn't justify the cost at this time.  However, it will be  consideration if I ever need to upgrade the network

Cheaper is always a better solution as long as it works.