Modem detection.

Can someone please help me!  I have a Inspiron 1000 and I cannot get my Dell router to detect a signal from my cable modem. the modem is from sbc dsl. and the router is from Dell. I have troubleshooted both the router and the modem(ping etc.) and they seem fine. It appears to be a setting or config. problem.I cannot afford to pay one hundred dollars for someone to tell me what settings to put on my laptop and desktop. Any advice is greatly appreciated! thanks. Dia.