Static or DHCP IP address

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DYNAMIC & STATIC IP ADDRESSES.
In the world of networking there are two major types of IP addresses. The first major IP address type is called a Static IP address. A Static IP address are IP addresses that never change. That means once it is assigned it does not change when the power is turned off. Take this for example; an administrator configures a router to have 10.600.893.1 as an Static Ip address. Even if power were to be cut off from the computer the IP address will still be 10.600.893.1, unless the administrator changes it to something else. Some Internet Service Providers assign customers Static IP addresses do to the type of Internet Connection that they offer. Comcast is a good example of this. Comcast offers, Cable Television, Internet, and Telephone all on the same line. The reason why static ip addresses are assigned is because Comcast can easily find your particular computer in the same location. If you were to change the address that your ISP assigned you, then there is a good chance that you might not get internet access.

DYNAMIC IP ADDRESSES
Dynamic IP Addresses that change. There two ways that Dynamic IP Addresses change. Dynamic addresses will change when their lease date is expired or when your computer is restarted. Dynamic Ip addresses are assigned by an DHCP server. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). A DHCP Server is a Server that is deticated to assigning computers Dynamic Ip addresses. The DHCP server is managed by an ISP. A draw back to Dynamic IP's is that fact that DHCP configured clients are solely dependent on the DHCP server. If the DHCP server goes down, or has been tampered with, then the internet users feel the consequences.

ANSWERING YOUR QUESTION
Now to attempt answer your question. Just as others have said, it is a good idea to research your ISP and find out what type of Internet connection. Chances are that your Modem is set in a specific way, so it shouldn't be messed with really. The big issue is configuring your Router to accept, what ever type of IP address that your ISP gives you. You shouldn't assigned an device with an static IP address with out checking with your ISP, via telephone, or email. They should be able to tell you if you are supposed to have a static or a dynamic ip address.

ROUTERS IN GENERAL
I noticed on my Router, when I log into my routers Firmware or Website (192.168.1.1). 192.168.1.1 is the default local IP address for Linksys WRT54G Wireless router. It is very easy to access from your web browser just type in your local IP address of your router, with Http:// in the front. Then your browser should prompt you for authentication. Type in the password for your router. If you don't this information then drag out the dusty Instruction manual that came with your router and look to see what the default settings are. When you get all that information established login into your routers firmware (192.168.1.1 for example) when prompted, type in the default password. Once you logged into your router there should be a setup page, or some type of option, that allows you to assign Static Ip's, or allows that router to receive a dynamic IP address.

COMMONLY OVERLOOKED ROUTER SETTING
Alot of people over look the fact that there is a special DNS suffix that you have to enter into your Routers firmware to actually receive a Dynamic IP address. An example of a DNS suffix would be comcast.com or ffni.com. These DNS suffixes represent the hostname of the server in which you get internet access from. DNS suffixes also tell your router who, your are getting internet access from and where to get an Dynamic IP address from.

THE LINKSYS SETUP PAGE
On the setup page you should see the following fields: Domain, Hostname, DHCP server, Router Name, and some other fields. Make sure that your ISP's DNS suffix is in the Hostname field. Then down at the bottom of the Basic Setup Page you should see the following fields: Static DNS 1, Static DNS 2, Static DNS 3, etc. I believe that this is were you would go to assign your self a Static IP.

THINGS to Remember:
If you if your router needs to be configured for static IP address then I would try my best to contact my ISP and ask what type of settings that your router should be configured with.

STATIC IP's? GENERALLY NOT A GOOD IDEA.
Your generally don't want an Static IP address unless your are running a Dedicated server, web server, Database Server, or something of that nature. The only time when an Static IP is essential is when other people on the Internet or on your network have to be able to access your server night and day. In all honesty you can accomplish that same thing with a Dynamic address, if you leave your computer on all the time. Just watch the Lease time. It generally not a good idea to set your router for Static Ip's, because they are also more expensive, and they are not exactly any faster then Dynamically assigned IP's.

MAKE SURE YOUR CABLES ARE PLUGGED INTO THE RIGHT PORTS.
Make sure that your Cables are plugged into the right ports. On the back of your router there should be a port dedicated to the Internet. A big indicator is the word Internet over the port. Make sure your modem is plugged into your routers dedicated port. There should be another cable connected to your modem that should be plugged into that source of your internet, which would be a telephone jack if you have Dial or DSL, the source of the internet connection varies with connection type. WIMAX uses radio towers, Dial-up uses the phone lines, Satellites uses satellites. So do some research on it. Tell me if this is helpful.

TO CHECK THE IP CONFIGURATION OF YOUR COMPUTER:
If your using Windows:

In the Command Prompt, type the following command:

ipconfig /all

By using the command prompt you should be able to see the following settings:
Default Gateway: (routers default Ip address)
DHCP Server:
DNS Server: (Your ISP's Domain Name Server's Ip address)
Physical Address: (MAC Address)

TRY THESE SITES:

Your ISP's Website
http://www.centurytel.com/

Types of Internet Connections:
http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/internet_connection_types.asp

Router Firmware:
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/homenetworkhardware/g/bldef_firmware.htm

Hey, I am also a student as well, so I am also still learning this stuff, just takes time and practice. Good luck

no one else reply because I'm going to post the new information because someone tried to help but instead changed everything to default settings and I still can't connect to the internet through my router
I'm going to start a new forum
this time I'm going to make an original post and put the menus and sub menus as a reply to the original post since some people saying it was too long