So, let’s get started. First of all, do you have a wired modem router or a wireless modem router? The configuration here is going to be considerably different depending on what you have. If you have a wired system things tend to be a little bit easier, but if you have that type of setup you’re not going to have the benefits or flexibility of a wireless system. With a wireless system you can go sit on the couch and watch TV with your laptop with you. You can’t do that with a wired system without running a ton of wires around. I definitely recommend the wireless version for this very reason. It offers you the ability to move around your house while using your laptop.
It’s also important to note that the configuration options on a cable modem router are almost exactly the same as what you’d see with an ADSL modem router. While these are two different types of broadband connections, the system should be almost seamless to you on the LAN side of the network. So, the first thing you need to do is read the manual. Pick it up and read it cover to cover. I know you don’t want to, but it’ll save you many questions you might have down the road. Have it all read? Good. Let’s keep going.
You need to hook your modem router up properly. For a cable system you’ll be hooking it up via a coaxial cable right into the wall, whereas an ADSL system will have a special type of phone jack. The concept is the same. That’s what’s connecting you to the internet. From there, you want to plug in the router’s power and let it boot up. This can take a couple minutes, so make sure you give it enough time to go through its sequences. You should be able to tell when it’s done by watching the lights; watch for lights to stop blinking, and watch for lights to come on. Your manual will tell you what they all mean.
From there, you can plug your laptop into the modem router itself. This is appropriate for both wireless and wired systems as this will allow you to gain access to your admin interface on a wireless modem. A default administrative username and password should be made known by your modem manufacturer and will be included in your manuals. Once you’ve accessed that section you can set up a new admin password and set up your wireless security (highly recommended!). This is typically done in a very user-friendly interface, so don’t worry about that. Just make sure to write down your password. 
And folks, that’s really about all there is to setting up modem routers. Not as tough as you’d originally thought, I bet!
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