These days, a NIC (Network Interface Card) is the same a Ethernet card. Not too many people are using things like Arcnet etc. any more.
Usually the cable that would connect a cable modem to your computer is not a crossover cable.
I would not necessarily recommend using the Network wizard. It doesn't always work, you are never sure what it is doing, and it makes it much more difficult for you to troubleshoot problems.
There is a lot of detailed information on how to network the various Windows operating systems at http://www.onecomputerguy.com/networking.htm which will hopefully help you out with the rest of it.
Usually the cable that would connect a cable modem to your computer is not a crossover cable.
I would not necessarily recommend using the Network wizard. It doesn't always work, you are never sure what it is doing, and it makes it much more difficult for you to troubleshoot problems.
There is a lot of detailed information on how to network the various Windows operating systems at http://www.onecomputerguy.com/networking.htm which will hopefully help you out with the rest of it.