Have you updated to the latest version of IE? What is your version number?
Try setting IE to run with all my the add ons disabled in case one is causing a problem.
Navigate to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools and open Internet Explorer (no Add-ons)

Clear the cache, history, cookies in case something has been corrupted.
Once your browser is open, click the gear icon at the top right to open the Settings menu. Then, select Safety and Delete Browsing History. Check mark what you want to clear click the delete button at bottom. The temporary Internet files you want to clear that for sure.

Do all of that and report back.
Definitely update to the latest version for your pc.

Here is a link that might be useful: Version check

Thanks! I'm printing these instructions and will do them ASAP.

It doesn't work, RavenCajun. I get as far as Open Internet Explorer/No Add ons, and then I get a blank page and Error 404.

I have no option, or can't find it, to clear the cache, history, cookies, etc.

Where do I go from here.

Would the Century Link (my modem provider) have caused this problem when they reset the modem from India?

I found this:

Here is a link that might be useful: Internet explorer stopped working

You can get to the Internet options from your control panel on the computer. Follow the instructions from there with out trying to use Internet Explorer.
You need to tell the version of IE you are using. Go to control panel, Internet options and help about and it will say the version.
You can go to Windows updates and see if it shows anything new for IE you need to update.

I had a similar problem with IE, and switched over to Chrome, and all is well.

go to control panel, internet options, advanced tab, reset to default settings and then apply and ok at the bottom.
See if doing a reset will help.
You can try disabling add ons by doing this. Control panel, Internet options, Programs tab, manage add ons, then click apply and ok at the bottom.

I am using windows 7 on my desktop and have IE 11.

Yes there are many free browsers available to download and install to try including firefox, chrome, opera, there are a few that are built off of the mozilla firefox base like waterfox, palemoon, cyberfox, those are just a few. Try them if you don't like them they can easily be removed from control panel.
But you should always have at least one other functioning browser on the computer for just this kind of situation when IE does not work.

RavenCajun, I followed these last instructions and I can now get IE to open.

I went to my homepage and everything is messed up there, now.

Before I had an option at the bottom of the page to make all pages 125% size...big enough that I could read them. I also had a "Favorites" bar...it is gone now.

Could you point me toward a way a finding these things again? Do you think a trip to the computer shop is in order?

I so appreciate all the help you've given.

Update! I found a "zoom" option under the "gear / tools" emblem at the top right of the page. Before it was in a separate toolbar at the bottom of my page.

Is there anyway to restore that?

Also I have to reset the zoom for each page I open. There's no way I can see the pages without the zoom factor. Before it stayed on 125% at all times on all sites.

Thankfully my "favorites" are still there but now their behind a little star to the right. Before they had a larger drop down box on the left, easier to see and use.

I have Windows 7 and I think I've update to IE11, but I can't find out for sure?

Try rebooting it may reset everything back for you.
Since you are able to open IE now go to help up top then about IE and it will tell you the version.
It sounds like it might have been an add on causing the problem.
You might consider re-enabling the add ons one at a time to try to determine which is the culprit.

Is it possible to change the ID of the modem? If so, that may have happened when Mr. Patel reset the modem to make it work with your iPad. However, I think that ravencajun is on the right track.

For easy zoom, I believe you can just hold down the CTRL key and turn your mouse wheel to increase the type size. Works here too. Better, of course, if it would remember that you want it bigger for every site you visit.

From my own recent experience...I agree with Raven. I had shut down IE some time ago and then decided it might be well advised to reopen it to have the option of a second browser. I, basically, live in the Firefox world so it'll take some re-educating to get used to IE again.

In any case...IE appeared to be broken when I attempted to resurrect it. My home page wouldn't load correctly and there were a few other little annoyances. I discovered...after tearing my hair out for a while...that it, indeed, was an add-on that was causing the problem. In my case...it was Adobe's shockwave flash and their regular flash. I disabled both and viola...IE v.11 is happy again. When I have more time I'll test other flash versions and mosey around IE to see what else I can do...but for the time being...it's very functional.

HTH

Anne