Windows 7: strange problem

To clarify: you connect the ethernet cable from your modem to the port labled WAN on the router.

The other 3 ports are used to connect PC's directly to the router using an ethernet cable.

Ethernet cables are cheap. Buy one or borrow one. You can then test the router to determine if your original problem is caused by the router or an external source.

Something else occurred to me.

Some ISPs set your internet access to the MAC address of the first device connected to the MODEM. If that first device was your PC then the ISP will not recognize the MAC on the (new) ROUTER.

The solution to the above problem is simple: power OFF the MODEM and all connected devices. Leave the modem off for a minute or so. Then turn on the MODEM and wait for the connection to finalize. Then connect the ROUTER and power it on and wait for it to finalize connections. Then turn on PC.

The ISP should now recognize the ROUTER's MAC address.

According to AE manual, I require a mackintosh computer to set up this router.
Since I am using an HP Pavilion, setup is impossible at this time. Once setup is completed, router is compatible with PC.

As previously mentioned, my brother uses Apple and set up this modem initially.

Unfortunately, I must wait until he visits this summer.

Alternatively, I could attempt to setup the Linksys router he also left behind. I
believe this is PC only.

The Apple Airport Extreme router issue is not dead, just postponed for now.

Perhaps I can find a local "Macks-on-the-go" outfit in my area, if such an agency exists.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to all who have contributed assistance to my post; I have learned a great deal from your input.
But I must put aside the Airport Extreme situation for now. I have other computer problems to deal with!!

I will undoubtably be returning to this site for more posts on the router or other problems.

Not necessarily true.

While it is certainly convenient to set up a router your first time using the setup software (that in your case is an Apple program that requires a MAC to run) it is not the only way.

I do not ever install the setup software for routers. I set them up manually.

You can access your router's setup by using any standard web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc).

You need to know the IP address of the router. Your Linksys router will be 192.168.1.1. (You type: " http://192.168.1.1 ") . Some routers use 192.168.10.1. You can google to find what the AE uses for a standard IP address.

Then you need to know the username and password to access the router. Again, a new router has a generic UN&P. And again this will be in your documentation or you can find it online.
Some routers use "admin" as a user name and the password is blank.
IIRC, Linksys uses "Linksys" as the user name and "admin" as the password.

Once you have accessed your routers settings you can change the password, setup your wireless connection and encryption key, and make any other changes to the system you need. No software is required.

If you need more help with the setup I would post a new thread in the "Network & Sharing" forum and see if someone there is familiar with the AE and could walk you through the setup. (I am not familiar!).

I have accessed linksys webpage for my model and found it is not compatible with Windows 7.

Thus that option is now eliminated.

However, I shall investigate your AE setup information.

Thanx again.

Not sure of what you read, or how it was written, but that sure doesn't seem too accurate. I've set up numerous Linksys routers via Windows 7 machines. But, I never use the standard installation software anyway, as I always set them up manually.

If I were you, I'd just connect the PC to any port on the router except the WAN/Internet port. Then open Internet Explorer or whatever browser, type 192.168.1.1 in the address bar, press enter, and you'll be brought to the router's login screen. See TVeblen's post regarding how to log in: strange problem

What's the model number of the Linksys?

Linksys model # BEFSR41.

Mentions Win XP in specifications. No mention of Win 7 or Vista.

It'll work. Only good for wired connection though.

192.168.1.1 will get you there. Default password is admin.

You could connect the AE's WAN port to one of the ports on the Linksys to give wireless capability.

I feel like a fool. Perhaps I am one.

I had assumed the Linksys was wireless. Please forget I ever mentioned this router.

Now back to Apple Airport Extreme.

Someone mentioned that iMack is not required to set up this router. This will be investigated next.

Please excuse my incompetence.

Again, extremely appreciate all of your input.

The default password for the Airport Extreme is ADMIN also. The username is left blank.

And you must connect your PC to the router with an ethernet cable to set up the router manually, which you will need to do to set up your wireless connection.