Don Giller

Just tried that (Router ethernet cable into laptop). No connection. Maybe router is the issue.

The ethernet cable from router to laptop was a good test. Sound like a router issue if no connection via cable. You might try replacing the modem to router cable just to verify. (I spent my morning getting a new cable modem up and working. My IP phone still doesn't work.)

The setup: cable-modem-->router; router 3-out (4th is disconnected and what I used for laptop just now). 1-out to desktop. 2-out to 2nd desktop. 3-out to 4-input switcher. 1 to OS9 desktop, 1 to 1st desktop, 1 to I forget. It was all working fine.

Your modem should have some spare output ports. Run a cable to your 4-input switcher to check that connection. Or to your laptop. Bypass the router for now. If you have an old router lying around, you might try putting in (I'm a hoarder, I have such things).

But if the router works fine with the desktop, and the iPad and laptop aren't connected physically to anything, I'm confused how it's router issue. Modem has 2 more ethernet ports. This is wearing me down.

Might be a long shot, but if I were there, I would hook up everything the way they were before you started trouble-shooting, power everthing down (not just reboot), then one at a time power things up in the order that they're connected, waiting 5 minutes between each item.

Did that: powered everything down, disconnected all plugs, then rebooted modem, then plugged in router, then plugged in desktop and rebooted. I'm trying to determine if I even need the router. If not, trying to figure out how to rewire the ethernet cords.

What is the source of your WiFi signal to your devices that aren't working? Is it a WiFi router? Do you have a Mac airport thing?