Hello Arthur Aspen,
As a rule, advice on how to configure home networking equipment would be very off-topic to this forum, but I think we can make one exception :-)
So-called "default settings" almost always work.
Please check the documentation that came with the Linksys router to learn how to do a "hard reset" of the router using the small, somewhat hidden reset button usually on the back of the router next to the power port. This will put all router settings back to factory default. Default router settings are usually secure enough for wired connections, but if this is a wireless router you will want to either disable the wireless functions if not currently using them, or set wireless security to the maximum level your participating wireless network nodes can support.
Since IE worked as required when the computer was directly connected to the modem, it's much less likely that there is an issue with IE's settings. However, you may still have a desire to reset IE back to defaults as well. If so, open IE, click on Tools>Internet Options>Advanced tab. Click on the "Reset" button in the lower part of the Advanced tab's page. Follow the prompts. This does the same thing for IE. Restart the computer, open IE, and try again.
Buy Office 2007 Now, Get Office 2010 Free http://office2010.microsoft.com/en-us/tech-guarantee/microsoft-office-2010-technology-guarantee-FX101825695.aspx?CTT=97
