Windows 7: resetting model and router

Thanks for any help. We have a Dell desktop in our home with Windows Vista 7 with internet service, which is hooked up to a wireless router so guests can use their PC's around the house. Somebody had difficulty connecting with their PC even after putting in the correct password, so I reset the modem and router. Oops, I thought this was commonly done and easily repaired. Now no wireless signal in the house. Still have internet on the desktop, but wireless signal is D-E-A-D. Shows full bars but not connecting.

On the Dell, I've tried reconnecting the wireless signal by double-clicking on it in the Network and Sharing Center, etc.. Won't connect and it's not providing any clues either. Obviously in resetting the modem and router I've 'undone' some settings which maintain the wireless signal. That's where I need the help. Many thanks.

This is not a PC problem, the problem is in the wireless router. Most routers come with some type of control program so that you can control it from the "master" wired PC. The control program is where you need to start and reset or whatever needs to be done to the router.

e.g. I have a Netgear brand wireless router and I have the Netgear "genie" program that controls it. I used to have a Linksys wireless router and it had a Linksys control program.

That exactly and perfectly solved the problem. Thank you.

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Well, I thought that fixed it. I reset the Netgear Wizard and went through all the steps. At least I thought so. It says it's connected but none of the PC's and Ipads in the house can connect to it. Kept the same password, too. Any ideas? Thanks.

To reset the router there is typically a small hole on the side with a button inside the hole which needs to be pushed for 10 to 30 seconds in order to reset the router.

After the reset you would then need to go into the routers firmware set up page by typing the default gateway IP into the URL of your browser then type in the appropriate information such as SSID, security password, type of encryption etc.

Essentially all broadband routers used for home networking provide a reset switch, often a very small, recessed button on the back of the unit. This button allows you to override the current state of the device and restore it to the default settings it had when it was first manufactured.


Some people don't realize that pressing a router's reset button for just a second or two may do nothing. Depending on the type of router and its current state (including the nature of any problems it may have), you may need to hold down the button longer. Networking enthusiasts have developed this so-called 30-30-30 hard reset procedure that should fully reset any home router to its default settings at any time. Follow these steps to perform a router hard reset:

• 1. when the unit is powered on, hold down its reset button for 30 seconds
  2. while still holding down the reset button, unplug the router from power and hold for an additional 30 seconds
  3. still holding down the reset button, turn on power to the router again and hold for 30 more seconds

After this process (a total of 90 seconds) is complete, your router should be restored to its factory default state. Note that your particular router may not require the full 30-30-30 procedure. For example, some routers can at times be hard reset after only 10 seconds and without power cycling. Nevertheless, I still recommended memorizing this 30-30-30 rule as a general guideline.

The 30-30-30 Hard Reset Rule for Routers