Help with network/internet/extreme setup please

[Jedi5]

Woke up this morning and had no internet.
Unplugged both my cable modem and extreme, replugged and still nothing.
Did a reset on my extreme with a paper clip.
That seemed to do the trick for about 5 minutes before I lost connection again.

I then reset again using the paper clip and tried to setup in Airport Utility.
Kept getting "unexpected error" message repeatedly.
Nothing I did seemed to work. Oh well I thought, maybe it's time for a new one.

Check my wires and they seem to be fine.
I can get internet straight from cable modem to iMac no problems.
When I try to connect hard wire from extreme and modem to iMac, I can't get no connections.

Went out and bought the new tower extreme and I'm still having issues.

I can get wifi throughout the house but no ethernet connection to my iMac in my office.
When I was able to get a connection from extreme to iMac, I lost my wifi.

What the heck am I doing wrong?

Help??
I've spent at least 3 hours now trying to figure this out.

 

[CoastalOR]

I'm not a network expert, but I do know there is a process not included in your post.

Here is what works for me.
1. Shut Down/Turn Off (unplug) your Airport.
2. Unplug the power cord from the back of the modem and remove any batteries.
cable modem jacks and plugs
3.Wait 30 seconds, then reinsert any batteries and reconnect the power to the modem.
4. Wait at least 2 minutes or more to allow the modem to connect. The modem connection lights will be solid.
5. Turn on your Airport, watch for the green connection light.
6. Attempt to surf to two web pages to verify connectivity.

 

[Jedi5]

Yeah I've tried that and nothing happened.
I swear I'm ready to chuck everything out the window