Everything is set to matching names. I've done all the reset buttons and power cycling more times than I can count. I can connect to the router just fine. The router and the pc recognize each other. This is not the issue. The router ethernet light lights up. Everything LOOKS like it should be fine, but it won't work.

I think at this point I just have to accept that I can't have a network any more. We'll have to move the modem around the condo and connect one at a time. I don't know what went wrong. Maybe Verizon changed some settings to make us buy their stuff.

Well, I don't know what to tell ya- Eric works for the cell division, but he is pretty sure that is not the case. Is there a tech support you can call? Might be worth the voicemail navigation irritation.

Yeah, they won't support you unless you buy your equipment through them. And when I called them the other day the guy insulted me. So, that's a no go. I give up.

The problem is that troubleshooting network issues can be pretty difficult without seeing the specific setups and everything.

However, about this paragraph:

When you connect directly with the computer you should still need a password and user ID. However, it is probably already established and autoprovided by the connecting tool on your computer (this is how it was when I had Verizon DSL 18 months ago). I don't remember if that ID and password was the same as for logging in to the Web site.

I might be able to figure it out for you if I were there but trying to visualize it all in my head isn't working too well for me. And I'm on cable now, which connects differently, so I can't even use my settings to compare.

One big cautionary note to add, though. If you are connecting directly to through the modem you absolutely need to make sure you have a firewall installed on the computer itself. You may have been relying on the built in firewall from the router but the modem itself doesn't off any of that protection.

Since you're trying to set up from scratch I would suggest you go ahead and try customer support again. They may prove just as unhelpful but at least initial network setup is something they should have well scripted.

If you can afford a little bit of cash, it may be worth your sanity to just call Best Buy and have them send out the Geek Squad to help. I've never used them but a former coworker found them reasonably competent.

Of course I have a firewall installed on all the PCs. I realize I am a complete moocow, but at least I know that much.

Stop insulting yourself- leave that to the tech guys.;)

Furthermore - I can connect (as I am doing right this moment) if I treat the router as a switch-thingy only (to use the technical term). Per a google search involving Verizon and routers - if I connect the modem to the router in one of the 4 regular to-the-computer port thingies and NOT the usual from-the-modem port then it works. At least wired. Next stop: does wireless work this way.

I'm not familiar with laptops and routers- we just have two PCs. The Linksys paper says "The PC should be connected to the ports numbered 1-4 on the router, and the modem must be connected to the Internet port on the router." Like Alex said, it's hard to imagine the set-up you have going- all I can do is tell you what we have done and what our manual says.

Yeah, alas I've tried wading through all the manuals and tutorials and hints found via google and whatnot. I have no idea what I'm missing. I'll have to tinker with it next weekend.

I may take it upstairs and try to set it up via Ryan's desktop. I have a vague memory that I couldn't set it up through the laptop last time, either, for reasons we never figured out. It seems to me, peering through the mists of time, that I had to set it up via wired desktop and then add my laptop to the then established network. I didn't try that last night because I was also installing the new floor in the bathroom downstairs and I didn't want to be involved in two major projects on different floors.