You might want to check with your cable company as some broadband companies use DHCP which means they assign IP addresses dynamically. So in you IP address settings, you should click on , "Obtain IP address automatically". There is usually no SUB mask unless you are bridging connections on your network.

One of the things you can try is to get to a command prompt by clicking START / RUN / CMD, then typing "IPCONFIG" on her computer to see if the IP address IS getting assigned automatically. You can do a IPCONFIG /RENEW to get a new IP address assigned to her.

Also, a simple fix is always to power OFF the Cable Modem, wait 60 seconds, and power it back on. Sometimes these things get a power surge and get stupid. They need to be reset now and again.

Hope this helps....

Al