Setting up my router as an access point the "easy way"

> But....are these the steps? [...]

   Probably not.  For a start, some basic information might be helpful.
What is "your current router"?  What is 'your "old/other" router'?

> Model: N450|N450 WiFi Cable Modem Router

   Is that accurate?  Which gizmo is that to be, "your current router"
or 'your "old/other" router'?

   For a Netgear gizmo, visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your
model number, and look for Documentation.  Get the User Manual.  Read.
Look for "access point".  (You may or may not find much, depending on
the gizmo.  Without actual model numbers, I can't easily guess what
you'll find.)

> Hook up your "old/other" router via ethernet cable [...]

   That conveys almost no useful information.  A cable has two ends.
All these gizmos have multiple Ethernet ports, some of which are not
equivalent.

> Then make sure it's using AP mode?

   Which "it" is that?  Does your "it" _have_ an AP-mode feature?  (It's
not required, but it simplifies things.)

> [...] So do the routers need to stay connected? If so, why? My thought
> is if the other router is an AP, you move it to another part of the
> house and voila you get a better signal.

   You should get a better radio signal when you're near the AP, but the

AP still needs to communicate with the main router, and that's normally
done using an Ethernet connection.  (If you expect to use a wireless
connection between your main router and your added gizmo, then the added
gizmo is normally called a "wireless extender", not a "wireless access
point".  Generally, any-old router can be used as a WAP, but not every
router can be used as a wireless extender.)

> But again, do i hope up the 450 to my laptop and do the work there?
> [...]

   Eh?  "hook up"?  See "no useful information", above.

> [...] I wish it was that straightforward, but everything online jumps
> from one thing to the next.

   There are many things "online", some clearer than others.