Help Reconnecting My imac to internet Through Ethernet Router

We had a lightening strike the other day which took out our cable modem. It was connected to a wireless Ethernet Router which fed my husbands PC and My imac. We had a new modem delivered today and my Husbands PC (Oh is he SMUG!) connected straight away but no luck with mac.

When I connect the ethernet cable to the router there is no light but there is one for the PC connection . We have tried switching ports and cables but it always works with the PC but the MAC is dead.

Is there any way of testing if the ethernet connector on my mac has failed-should the light go on the router as it doesn't. The PC lights up even without the cable form the modem connected.

IF this is the case can we get a new wireless modem and connect to the internet wirelessly using airport? I had a look and it seemed to have detected some wireless networks in the area.

We had a Dell laptop connected to the wireless network before (before it was zapped) but I thought you need an apple wireless router to connect an an imac to?

HELP