Trouble hooking up internet and router - PLEASE HELP

[BigBrother1984]

Hey,

For some odd reason, i can't seem to hook up either of my two pc's to the internet. I have high speed from a certain cable company and i called them to find out what was wrong and they insist that i take out my NIC and reseat it because it was a hardware problem. After trying to tell them that i didn't have an NIC in either of the computers and hating myself for wasting 30 minutes of my life, I figure I'd come to a place where people know what they're talking about.

Here's what happens:

1) So I try to hook up the internet and installing the provided software that i was given and it says it cannot connect. Now, the kicker is, is that i'm almost positive it isn't a hardware problem because i had the internet working at a different location not very long ago, with a different ISP.

2) When i plug the cable in the back of the computer it gives my a "reduced or little connectivity" message on the bottom of the screen. I cannot connect to the internet at this poiint

3) My Apple laptop uses the cable modem just fine and is how i am posting this thread

4) The real funky thing, is that I tried to install a wireless router and i couldn't get all the way through setup and then the internet WORKED for twenty minutes before conking out. By this point, i feel an aneurysm coming on.

Thanks in advance for the help because i have zero ideas of where to start.

Pertinent specs for my PC:
ABIT AWD-MAX motherboard with TWO gigabyte ethernet connections

If any more info is needed, let me know. I didn't know what else to put.

[sgtspector]

If I am reading your post correctly it would infer that you are using the USB option on your modem. Is this correct? If you are that is usually mistake number one. The ethernet option is often the easiest way to do it. If your pc does not have a nic get one. They are cheap enough. Most boards have integrated nics these days so to not have one would be unusual. When setting up a wireless router you should be connected by ethernet for the original setup if you haven't already tried that. Once you can access the router by wire connect your modem. If you need further help more info will be necessary. HTH

[BigBrother1984]

I'm using the ethernet option for trying to hook up. So i'm guessing my mobo has an integrated nic card as well.

[BigBrother1984]

Yes, did a check. I have an integrated Gigabute ethernet PCI-E NIC card and i am using the ethernet option.