Can't Access Linksys Router

The system:
Windows 7
Motorola Surfboard cable modem
Linksys router (hardwired)

This morning, I was unable to connect to the internet. After unplugging and restarting the cable modem and router several times, I still wasn't able to connect. Called Comcast and they were unable to get it connected and suggested I call Lenovo (My PC brand).
Before calling them, I uninstalled and reinstalled the network card and was able to get back online and working fine.
But trying to access a locally connected security system by local IP address wasn't working. I then tried to access the router to check the port settings and couldn't even access that using the normal 192.168.1.1.

I have no idea how I can browse the internet but not access the router. Below is the connection message that opens up, any ideas are appreciated.

The connection was reset

The connection to the server was reset while the page was loading.

The site could be temporarily unavailable or too busy. Try again in a few moments.
If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer's network connection.
If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure that Firefox is permitted to access the Web.

 

I forgotto mention that Comcast was unable to access the motorola surfboard sb6141 to update the firmware. Not sure if that's relevent here, but the modem was restarted several times.

 

Sorry I can't just add to my original post.
I tried two different restore points and both failed. Now I'm really stuck.

 

I am able to access the router with that IP, but no other local addresses work (router, camera). I'm able to access the internet just fine though.
To reset to modem, I just unplugged it, waited 30 seconds and plugged it back in. I tried restoring it to the default settings as well.

 

My mistake. Yes, it is the modem I accessed. I'm low on sleep (bulging disc in my back).

Thanks for the help plodr. But I got desperate after work and tried every system restore point and all failed. I then tried the Lenovo restore and recovery system restore (accessible during windows loading screen) and that locked up the PC into an endless starting loop.
I ended up restoring to factory state (after backing files) and after that upgrading to Windows 10. Spur of the moment decision but I figured it's as good a time as any. Just got online now after numerous windows updates.

I still can't access the router with 192.168.1.1 but I can access the modem with 192.168.100.1. I guess that means it's a router or modem issue, not the PC. Any ideas how to troubleshoot it?

 

I'm sorry plodr. Reformatting, updating and the switching to Windows 10 took up all last night and I only got online for a minute or two before bedtime.
I'll post the model number when I get home.

 

The router is a Linksys WRT 54G http://www.linksys.com/us/support-product?pid=01t80000003KXPxAAO

 

Unusual update: This morning, with the PC, speakers and modem completely powered off, the router was making a static hissing noise. After several minutes it became choppy and eventually stopped. I didn't even think it was possible for it to make any noise.

 

I've had that router for years and never had a problem logging into it. Now, when I enter 192.168.1.1 I get a page that says "serber error" or something like that. The page won't even open to the login screen.

 

Thanks plodr. I have the modem unhooked now (still noise coming from it) and it's late so I'll try those steps tomorrow.

 

I'm sorry, it was late and I had just woken up on the couch. It is the router that is making noise and it is new removed. The modem is wired straight in to the PC.

 

You read my mind, I was just looking at a few cheapies online. Any thoughts on something like this one: http://www.walmart.com/ip/TrendNet-150Mbps-Wireless-N-Home-Router-TEW-711BR/19511609

Money is very tight and fast wireless speed is not really important. The PC and security camera are both wired.

 

Thanks plodr. I really like that one, but wanted to get it locally. Any opinion on either of these? My wife is going to the store soon and can pick up either one.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/NETGEAR-N300-Wireless-Router/10928683

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/linksys...lack/6571476.p?id=1218760170282&skuId=6571476

I saw better reviews for the Netgear.

 

Well, I tried this with no luck so my wife is out picking up the Netgear I linked. Thanks a bunch plodr, and sorry for the errors in my posts. Long (health related) story, but haven't slept much in weeks. I really appreciate your help and patience.

 

Thanks for the help plodr and I hope you feel better soon.

 

Glad you're feeling better!
I realized today that the ethernet ports are only 10/100 on the Netgear linked and since I'm only using it as wired, I think gigabit would be best. I'm really not sure how much of difference I'd see though, since I don't play online games (might in the future) or stream movies. Mainly just YouTube videos at times. I'm going to check into the actual noticeable difference I could expect with Comcast cable internet and this adapter: Intel(R) 82567LM-3 Gigabit . Any opinion on that?

 

Since I have a gigabit network card, wouldn't a different router with gigabit ethernet ports improve speeds? Something like this Netgear n900

"Four LAN and 1 WAN Gigabit Ethernet ports allow fast wired connections."

If so, my question is how noticeable would it be how noticeable of an improvement would I see?

 

Great point, I will call Comcast tomorrow. There is no mention of anything about the speed on the bill.
My wife pays the bills and I was very surprised at how high it was. They will be getting an earful from me tomorrow too. I'll post results from what they tell me and speed test results.Where did you run that speed test?

 

plodr- there is also a speed test on the dslreports page in your link and it's html5 so no flash or java required as is in speedtest.net. Speedtest has a beta for non-flash which sometimes does/does not work.

 

I just ran a test with DSLreports using the Netgear N300 http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest/3306482


http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest/3306482.png



I still have to call Comcast and also run a baseline speed test without the router, straight to the modem.

 

I just called Comcast. We are paying for 75Mbps

50 down 25 up

 

Surprisingly, not much difference straight from the modem: http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest/3309287


http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest/3309287.png


Now to throw a wrench in things, my wife won a Samsung table from work a few years ago. I forgot about it but she has been using it at work on breaks and would love to use it at home too.
She logged on to the Wifi and noticed it was way slower than at work. I'll have her run a speed test tonight, but now we are considering this for better Wifi: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YEUCV4A?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

It's $30 more then the Netgear N300 but I'd get gigabit ports too and extra usb ports. Strangely enough, there are not many review for this particular model (EA2750), mostly just about similar models.
Sorry for the odd turns this thread has taken. I guess it finally came back around to hardware.

Any thought on the Wifi performance difference between the current router: Netgear N300
and the one linked above?

 

Yeah, the lack of reviews definitely worries me.

Below are the results for the Tablet from DSLreports. The first test said the browser stalled frequently during the test and to change the setting to "lo-fi" mode which I did. The error still came up after that, but here are the results:

http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest/3310099

http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest/3310099.png

The ping looks horrible. Any thoughts on the Linksys N600 model (EA2750) linked above as it pertains to the Wifi speed are appreciated. I would be ordering it through Amazon so I could return it easily if it has issues.

 

Good to know, thanks plodr.