[aces77]

**Please bear with me as i am totally dumb when it comes to technology**

I have a desktop computer, two laptops and a router. My computer is connected to the Internet through a usb modem.
Two days ago i had both laptops and my computer connected to the Internet. I got a tech guy to set everything up for £30 ($60). Now I think Ive totally messed everything up.
I was trying to connect my ps3 to my router, so i messed around with all the network connections. Now nothing works anymore. Ive followed the manual that came with the router, but nothing works. My computer is now connected to my modem through a usb cable. But when everything was set up two days ago, the guy took the usb cable out and connected everything using ethernet cables.
I had my modem connected to the internet port on my router and my computer connected to one of the lan ports on my router and everything worked perfectly. Now when i make those same connections, nothing works and i cant even connect to the internet from my desktop computer, without using usb.
I think it might have something to do with using a usb connection to my modem, but Ive tried connection through Ethernet and nothing works.

Basically i just need to know how to connect my internet connection to my router, so then i can connect my router to both my laptops. I know its possible and i have all the equipment, because two days ago everything was working perfectly. The only changes i have made since everything thing was working, is that Ive reset my router and reinstalled my usb modem.
I really want this all sorted out asap, and i don't want to have to pay another £30 ($60), so if anyone could help i would be really grateful. Like i said i am really stupid with all this stuff and i shouldn't have messed with it in the first place.
I will do my best to answer any questions and give any information you need in order to help me out, and i will be logged in all day as i really want this fixed.

please help.

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The modems usually allow USB OR ethernet but not both. Sounds like the modem thinks that it should be using the USB port. Try turning everything off and then connecting the modem to the external connection and then connect the router's internet connection to the modem. Connect your computer to one of the LAN ports on the router. Turn on the modem first and wait 2 minutes for it to download its info from your service provider. Turn on the router and allow 2 minutes for it to download its configuration from the modem. Last, turn on the computer and allow a minute or so for it to get its info from the router. If that works connect the other computers and away you go. If not, post back.

[98springer]

The modems usually allow USB OR ethernet but not both. Sounds like the modem thinks that it should be using the USB port. Try turning everything off and then connecting the modem to the external connection and then connect the router's internet connection to the modem. Connect your computer to one of the LAN ports on the router. Turn on the modem first and wait 2 minutes for it to download its info from your service provider. Turn on the router and allow 2 minutes for it to download its configuration from the modem. Last, turn on the computer and allow a minute or so for it to get its info from the router. If that works connect the other computers and away you go. If not, post back.

[aces77]

The modems usually allow USB OR ethernet but not both. Sounds like the modem thinks that it should be using the USB port. Try turning everything off and then connecting the modem to the external connection and then connect the router's internet connection to the modem. Connect your computer to one of the LAN ports on the router. Turn on the modem first and wait 2 minutes for it to download its info from your service provider. Turn on the router and allow 2 minutes for it to download its configuration from the modem. Last, turn on the computer and allow a minute or so for it to get its info from the router. If that works connect the other computers and away you go. If not, post back.

What do you mean by "connect the modem to the external connection"?
I have done all the rest, and i have removed my usb cable. So, it looks like my desktop computer is connected to the internet throught my router, but my laptops still dont pick up the router.

[98springer]

I meant connect the modem to "the internet". If you can connect to the internet with your computer now, you did it. ;-)

Are the laptops using a wired or wireless connection? If they're not wired, please connect connect each one at a time to your working connection. Unplug it from the working computer and plug it into the laptop and then power on the laptop and see if it works. Do this for each laptop and make sure that you don't turn on the laptops until you've connected them.