router connection problems/ IP Address.

Hello, my name is katie and i need some help! Okay, here it goes. I am the owner of WRT54G2 V1 linksys router, and i seem to be having some problems. I connect through a modem connected to a phone line and without my wireless i can connect to the internet just fine. Its when i connect the modem to the wireless where i have trouble. I should probably add that i just recently got my laptop completely cleaned off and i was afraid that it might have wiped off any software or anything that helps the router connect so i put in the "installation cd" and ran it through my computer but it says i need to be able to connect my modem to the phone line then the modem to the router then the router to my computer but i do not have a cross over cord.. or the blue ethernet cord, im not sure if i just never got one, but i do not have one. so i got on the internet and started doing so research in hopes that there would be some other ways that i could get around going and buying a new cord. So first off i downloaded the new firmware for my router and that did nothing. I've tried everything. I go to the control panel and type in CMD and i get lines that come up telling me strange things. then i type in ipconfig and it doesn't give me any IP addresses. So my guess is that the IP address has been changed or is not recognized by the computer. Then i try typing in the 192.168.1.1 IP address into a webpage and i just get an error page i do not get the login. Im trying to avoid buying the cord if possible, it may be my only solution though.. any advice.. help.. comments?? anything would really help, im really frustrated. Please.

Hi and welcome to the WTT forums

Sorry to hear of the problem with your machine.
To use your browser (e.g. Internet Explorer) to connect to your router http://192.168.1.1 so you can set up your wireless transmission, SSID and security, its best to connect your computer to the router using a cat5 cable (once your router is set up and the connection is established via wireless you will be able to disconnect the cat 5 cable twix router and computer if you want to.

The cat 5 cable is included in the box that your router came in…….. if you can't find it then try borrowing one from a chum……you will only need it for a few minutes……failing that buy one……they only cost about a pound or so….. say USD $1.50 or so.
Here's a link to help you set up your router correctly:
http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/WRT54G2

Once your router is set up correctly right click on the icon in the system tray of your computer (bottom right hand corner of the screen) and you should see your wireless SSID that you selected displayed, click on Connect, type in the WPA password you set up in your router and it should all connect
Good luck
Regards
paws