Issues with cable modem, router

[pur_jai]

Friends,

I am a non computer guy. 4 days ago I had a lightning strike on my apartment and my internet connection went out. I replaced my ethernet card on my Desktop, replaced the cable modem (ISP - Cox Communication) and replaced my Netgear router (for wireless) with a linksys 802.11b broadband.

Here is my problem. When I connect the cable modem directly to my desktop or laptop, it won't connect to the internet (won't find IP address). If I connect through the router(security not enabled yet), the desktop will connect to the internet but the wirless on the laptop will not connect (even if it sees the network). Again, same issue, won't find IP address. Ipconfig command tells me that the media is disconnected on my desktop and laptop, when I connect to the cable modem directly.

Incidentally, talked to Cox and during some troubleshooting help, somebody fleetingly mentioned that the lease I am getting expires every120 secs instead of 24 hours that they normally give. Don't know if that is significant. However, to solve that problem, they had me connect to the cable modem thru' the USB cable which essentially solved it, however, rendered my router un-useable!!!!!!!! So I went to the format mentioned earlier at the top which is Cable modem - router - desktop (via ethernet). Surprisingly, that caused the desktop to get internet connection, but I lost the wireless ability.

Being a non-Techie... I am totally frustrated and can't get Cox to help me. PLEASE HELP ME...

Jai.

[johnwill]

Probably the reason the direct connection to the cable modem didn't work is you MUST turn off power to the modem whenever you change the attached device.

Reset the router to factory defaults.

Turn everything off, modem, router, computer.

Connect the router's WAN port to the modem.

Connect one of the the router's LAN ports to the computer.

Turn on the modem, wait for a steady data light.

Turn on the router, wait two minutes.

Turn on the computer, and you should be connected.

You should be able to search for wireless networks and find an unsecured network called LINKSYS, which is your router.

[pur_jai]

Thanks Johnwill. However, I have tried the exact same sequence that you just mentioned. The result is Status quo. I still cannot to the internet on my Desktop or Laptop if I connect directly with the modem. If I connect the router, I regain the internet access on my Desktop but no wireless connection on the Laptop (i can see the network LINKSYS). I tried ipconfig /release, ipconfig / renew etc. but it still says that the network couldn't assign a IP address to my laptop. Incidentally, when I tried the modem to Desktop/laptop connections, it gave me the same message.

Jai

[johnwill]

One other thing to try. Disable any non-standard extensions to the 802.11g protocol in the wireless setup page. Any "turbo" or "speedup" features may cause compatibility issues.