1 Read through the instructional manual that came with the Internet modem and was given to you by your Internet provider at the time of installation. Disconnect the modem from the wall, if it is connected. Wait five minutes and reconnect to the wall adapter. If you're using a DSL modem, connect it to the phone jack and if you're using a cable or satellite modem, connect it to the TV cable outlet in the wall.
2 Connect one end of an Ethernet network cable to the modem and connect the other to the Ethernet port on the computer. The Ethernet network cable looks like a telephone cable, but the plug is much larger than the average phone connector plug. Check the indicator lights on the modem to make sure they are on and that the Internet connection indicator is flashing. Turn on the computer, open your web browser and surf the Internet.
3 Turn the computer off and disconnect the Ethernet cable from the computer, so you can install the router. Connect the Ethernet cable you just disconnected from the computer to the WAN port of the router. This port will be marked on the router. Connect another Ethernet cable to the marked LAN port on the router and connect the other end to the new hard drive if you plan to connect more than one computer to the Internet through a wired connection.
4 Insert the CD that came with the router into your computer's CD drive. Follow the onscreen instructions to install the router. Select a username and password or use the user name and password you previously established with your old hard drive. You might need to contact your Internet service provider to confirm your username and password. Turn off the computer, router and modem and wait a few minutes before powering on the components.
5 Power on the modem, router and computer--in that order. Verify whether the computer connects to the router and the router to the modem. Ensure that the light indicators on the router glow green and that the green Internet indicator light is flashing on the modem.
6 Disconnect the Ethernet cable from the computer and click on the wireless network icon in the right-hand bottom corner toolbar next to the time. Allow the computer to locate the wireless network and connect to it. When prompted, type in your user name and password and click "Connect." Surf as you normally do on the Internet.
7 Navigate to "Start," "Control Panel" and select "Network and Internet Connections" if the new hard drive doesn't connect to the wireless connection that you installed. Select "Set up a wireless network for a home or small office." Follow the onscreen instructions given by the network setup wizard. Click "Finish."
8 Click on the wireless connection icon in the bottom Windows toolbar on the right-hand side next to the time. Select your wireless connection and click "Connect." Open your web browser and surf the Internet.
