Solved Public / Private Network and ICS

Hi

I have managed to get my two home computers to see each other. The one runs Windows Vista Home Premium and the other runs Windows Vista Home Basic. I can dial both computers up to the internet perfectly (if I attach the modum to them) and I can share files and access them, however, nothing I do seems to allow me to do Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). I have reset the "Workgroup" name on both computers. I have disabled password protection and I have loaded both user accounts on both machines.

What I can see is that whenever I turn the machines on, it says of the network, "Unidentified Network" and sets the status as "Public" (I have to reset this to "Private", on both computers, in order for the two computers to see each other). I have never been able to get the computers to do proper file sharing (had them for two years now), but have been able to print to one printer doing printer sharing. So this proper file sharing is good. But I need the internet connection working too. Can someone help me please. I have scanned the web and these forums, which is how I got the file sharing going, but need help.

I would like to be able to do the ICS and not have to change the network status each time I turn on the computers.

Hello, and welcome, i need a bit more info please : Have you got both computers connected to a router ? Or are you just using a modem ?

Hi. Thanks for coming back to me.

I use a crossover cable and Ethernet Cards to connect the two computers. The one running Vista Basic is a Laptop. The modem is HUAWEI Mobile Connect - 3G Network Card (Model: E173) and it shows under LAN or High Speed Internet Connections, not Dial Up Connections. It is a Flash sized USB Modem.

Read this , see if it helps you at all : Connect two computers using a crossover cable

Hi Yard Dog, thanks. Had a weekend away from the computer, but back now. I read through the article and followed the steps. I have discovered that my computers can see each other even though my network is marked as public (and I can access shared files etc without changing network status to private, but I have turned off 'Password protected sharing'). I didn't get a dialogue box which gave me the option to mark 'No, make the network that I am connected to a private network'. If I click on the option 'Customize' then I can change the status, but as the article notes, crossover cable networks are normally marked as public. I'm quite happy with a public network as long as I can access each computer's shared files from the other computer.

The next step is now to get the computers to share the Internet Connection.

I have 4 computers running , i use a router, cheap Belkins which run 2 wireless, and 2 run wired to the router, all use same internet. See what works best for you, alot of people will set up a router, and have all computer running through it. Just a matter of wiring it to the modem and having all access the router.

Thanks.

I am going to try with my modem once again and let you know how that works out. Must the network (the one connecting the two computers) be marked as public or private in order to connect to the internet through a modem on one computer? Should the network that is established when I dial to the internet be marked as public or private?

I've attached a JPG of my Network and Sharing Centre Screen. The Private Network is my internet connection and the Public Network is my Local Area Network between my wife's computer and mine.

I know that for both computers to connect to the Internet at same time that they both have to be wired or wireless somehow to the router/modem . Just because you have the two computers connected to each other does not give but the one that is connected to the modem the Internet access.

Thanks. I will have to get a router then. I appreciate all your help.

I think you will find that helps out quite a bit, You can hardwire both to the router , both then will have the Internet, while at same time will be able to file share. You can also get a wireless adapter USB and run one wireless.