Connecting a desktop PC and a laptop to the internet at the

[gerryh]

Hi
Just bought my wife (myself really) a laptop computer.
I connect to the internet via a Vodafone USB modem. No other option available where I live.
I can use the USB modem in the desktop or laptop.
Bit of a nuisance sometimes swapping over.
Is there any "device", a router?, that I can use to connect both machines to the USB modem at the same time?
Cheers
Gerry

[Martin Page]

Nope - it doesnt work like that

[El Cid]

No problem. Windows Internet Connection Sharing will sort it out. You will need a special network crossed cable to connect the two PCs and they will then share the connection.

The PC with the USB modem must be on for the other one to connect.

It worked fine for me before I got a multiport router.

Sid

[gerryh]

Thanks Sid.
That sounds like a nice inexpensive option. Just need to buy a crossed cable.
Been looking at http://www.vigsys.net/vd30.html
A dearer option but it will allow the laptop, already WiFi enabled, to be used on the terrace or wherever.
Any thoughts?
Cheers
Gerry

[El Cid]

It appears that you plug the device into the PC via a ethernet cable and plug the USB modem into the "box".

That sounds a neat idea but it seems that only certain USB modems will work so unless your Vodafone USB modem is on the list you will have a problem.

I suppose you could plug a normal wireless access point into the PC's network card. This would certainly allow the laptop to talk to the PC but I don't know whether you can then use ICS to allow the laptop to share the connection.

Sid

[gerryh]

That sounds a neat idea but it seems that only certain USB modems will work so unless your Vodafone USB modem is on the list you will have a problem.

Sid

Looked a very neat idea to me as well.
My USB modem is one of the ones listed.
It also has a socket for an external aerial. I have one connected, via a Velcroed adaptor, on my USB modem. Makes a huge difference to signal strength.
Usually getting 2.5 ´- 3.0 Mbs downloads. Not bad for an alleged 3.6 Mbs connection.
Cheers
Gerry

[El Cid]

Sounds good. Have you found a source for it yet or are you popping over to Kuala Lumpur soon?

Sid

[gerryh]

Good old Ebay.
Someone in the UK has them.
Cheers
Gerry

[gerryh]

No problem. Windows Internet Connection Sharing will sort it out. You will need a special network crossed cable to connect the two PCs and they will then share the connection.

The PC with the USB modem must be on for the other one to connect.

It worked fine for me before I got a multiport router.

Sid

Got a crossed cable, plugged one end into my Desktop, Windows XP home, computer, the other end into my laptop; Windows Vista Basic.
Internet connection, via USB modem, running on my desktop computer.
Ran the ICS wizard on my desktop machine and got "Cannot complete the network setup wizard"
Any ideas?
Cheers
Gerry

[El Cid]

It could be a problem with one of the network adaptors.

Did the error message give any other information?

Sid

[Jennifer]

Hi gerryh,
I take it you are looking for ideas on "techy" websites ?
Can you ping each machine
Are both systems on the same network
Hopefully "The Cid" will have some ideas, I've not used ICS for years

J

Added: is the laptop's ethernet adapter enabled

also: http://www.tech-faq.com/ping-test.shtml

[gerryh]

It could be a problem with one of the network adaptors.

Did the error message give any other information?

Sid

It only said "An error occurred during configuration of a network on this computer"
Looking at the Device manager on both machines claims that the network adaptors are working correctly.
Cheers
Gerry

[Jennifer]

Hi gerryh,
Can you ping both machines..ie. are the talking to one another


J

[gerryh]

How do I ping a machine?
Cheers
Gerry

[Jennifer]

Hi gerryh,

Jump back a step...first find out what the PC that is connect to internet IP address is

start > run ..type in cmd ...in black box type in ipconfig /all ...do you get the same IP after every reboot

A typical ISP will give out a range of "private" network address ie 192.168.1.33 - 64

so if you say get 192.168.1.33 for the PC go to the laptop and configure it to be outside of this range.
start > control panel >network connections > right click and go to tcp/ip properties and instead of "get IP auto" type in your IP say 192.168.1.100, netmask will be 255.255.255.0, for the gateway use the 192.168.1.33 of the PC.

you should now be able to ping the PC from the laptop
start -> run -> cmd > ping 192.168.1.33

go onto the PC and ping the laptop...192.168.1.100

If this works then you know you can connect the the two systems ok.
GO and READ the link below.

you will need the ICS service running on the PC............? will get back on that

the service is ..Windows Firewall/Internet connection sharing (ICS) ....started automatic


J

Added: have a look at this link
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/usin ... uly01.mspx

ICS sets up its own "Home" network, so you will need to undo things on the laptop once you can see it connect ok.
When you get things working ..check your firewall settings on the PC ..Zonealarm for example has a setting box to tick for ICS sharing