It probably won't do anything to their setup, but you might have to reconfigure your computer to get it to work, as DSL and Cable often use different connectivity protocols (PPPoE vs DHCP, to be specific) and DSL providers often require installing special connectivity software on your computer. Even so, plugging your computer in to the cable modem shouldn't change the cable connection; the worst that would happen is that it won't work with your computer.

If you do try it, do it in this order:
* Turn off the modem and the computers.
* Unplug their computer from the modem and connect yours.
* Turn on the modem first; let it go through its startup "dance" and stabilize (usually, most of the lights on the modem will turn solid green a that point).
* Turn on your computer, let it boot fully, and then try to connect to the Internet.


Troubleshooting connection problems involving someone else's WiFi network is often a frustrating and futile endeavor, as you have no knowledge of (or control over) what's happening on the business end of that network. Among other possibilities, lax network security (which has now been tightened up) may have allowed you to connect before, but we've no way of really knowing what has changed.


Not weird at all; that's actually quite common. Joining a WiFi network only means that you've been allowed to establish a wireless communication link with that network's wireless access device; it does not mean that you have also been granted passage to that network's Internet gateway device. Getting that Internet access often demands passing other security checkpoints within the network's structure.

That's correct; specifically- you need a router in order to connect more than one computer at a time to normal residential Cable or DSL services.

If the Internet access is important enough, being able to connect both computers at the same time is the most desirable situation, and connecting your computer directly to their modem won't work, you'll need to buy a wireless router (they're relatively inexpensive and easy to install).

One additional note... Your Yahoo DSL connection uses a Static IP address where Cox uses DHCP. So write down the IP address, gateway, dns, etc before you enable DHCP so you don’t have any problem connecting when you get home.

1. Right click and select properties on "Network Connections"
2. Double click on Internet Protocol TCP/IP
3. Copy down IP, Subnet, Gateway, and DNS ip addresses.
4. Click "Obtain an IP address automatically"

If you do not want to go out and spend the money on a router follow these steps.

1. Unplug the cable modem for at least 5 seconds
2. Plug the network cable into your machine
3. Click Start->Run-> type in cmd press enter or ok
4. type in ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew
5. You can skip steps 3-5 if you reboot but it is faster to run the ipconfig command

You will need to complete the above steps again when you want to hook up your in-laws computer again.

AJZ.