[masraum]

Many years ago, I was able to connect a hub/switch to a modem and all of my devices got IPs. That was a loophole/mistake by the ISP. They eventually "fixed the glitch" and it stopped working.

Part of the problem is that lots of folks use lots of terms interchangeably.

If it's actually a "modem" all a modem does is translate whatever the source is (dsl, cable, whatever) to something that a PC can use (ethernet). So under most circumstances, you can plug a single device into a modem and that device will have Internet. If what you plug into a modem is a router, then the router should be able to provide multiple devices with connectivity.

I don't think it's common for a consumer/residential type WAP to not be a router. If that's the case, then plugging a WAP into a modem should work the same as plugging a router into a modem, assuming the cables are plugged into the correct ports on the WAP/router.

I also think that modems that don't have integrated routers are pretty rare these days.

Do you have more info or any photos or make/model info about her gear and/or her setup.

Many years ago, I supported home dial-up Internet folks.

"I can't get my email."
"did you dial into the Internet on your computer before you tried to get your email?"
"No. I don't need to dial in to get my email."
"Yes, the dialing connects you to the Internet which is where your email is. You have to dial in, and then you can get your email."
"No I don't you're wrong."

Also

"I can't get on the Internet."
"what's on your screen right now?"
"nothing, it's black."
- then you have to go through things like "is it turned on" and "is it plugged in" and you'd be surprised how often that sort of thing came up.