[RESOLVED] Troublesome Internet connection sharing

[howie7]

I have 2 Win XP built PC's, connected via twisted ethernet cable. Main PC has a USB connected BT Voyager ADSL modem.
I am continually having Internet connection sharing problems & cannot resolve.
Please can someone advise (or give a definitive) of what network settings I should be using to enable trouble-free Internet, file and printer sharing. Should I be using a Bridge?
The wizard in XP does not appear to use a bridge, but in the past appears to be the only way it will work.
When Internet sharing, when I've managed to make it work (volatile), the PC's appear to fight for the connection, loss of E-Mail connection etc.

[PBase001]

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/

[Stalemate]

Of course, the best practice would be to use a router, where your ADSL model is connected into it and the router in turn shares the connection (and may also offer and added layer of security) to your networked PCs.

[howie7]

Thanks for the info above. However, I need an idiots guide to the settings needed. does anyone have any recommendations for a router to provide connectivity for 2 PC's and a printer?

[Stalemate]

Thanks for the info above. However, I need an idiots guide to the settings needed. does anyone have any recommendations for a router to provide connectivity for 2 PC's and a printer?

Do you want the router itself to share the printer?

A lot of users prefer to go that way since it implies that no specific PC needs to be "always on" to provide access to said printer.

I personally would recommend a D-Link router such as the ones on this page (http://www.dlink.com/products/category.asp?cid=2&sec=1). Depending on whether you need a USB or LPT connector for your printer, you'll find what you need from them.

Another reason I like to recommend these is because of the ease of installation. The installation wizard is clear, brief and very simple to understand with graphics and step-by-step instructions for end users to follow when using the setup CD.

[howie7]

Thanks for the above info which I will bear some thought.
I am currently using a BT Voyager 205 router, where the main PC is connected to it by USB, and a second PC, where I have now successfully connected for Internet share to the router's Ethernet port. The 2nd PC was connected direct to the main PC's Ethernet port. I have now lost file & printer sharing.
Is it still possible for me to now share files between PC's as well as share a printer, which is connected to the main PC?
I have checked all the usual settings but cannot get the PC's to see each other.
What screens/settings should I be using? If I need to set-up using IP addrsses, where do I find these etc?

[rgharper]

Thanks for the above info which I will bear some thought.
I am currently using a BT Voyager 205 router, where the main PC is connected to it by USB, and a second PC, where I have now successfully connected for Internet share to the router's Ethernet port. The 2nd PC was connected direct to the main PC's Ethernet port. I have now lost file & printer sharing.
Is it still possible for me to now share files between PC's as well as share a printer, which is connected to the main PC?
I have checked all the usual settings but cannot get the PC's to see each other.
What screens/settings should I be using? If I need to set-up using IP addrsses, where do I find these etc?

That doesn't sound like a router - routers generally have only Ethernet connections. I'll bet you have a DSL modem, not a router; in which case you will not get your computers to network well or easily since each is being given an IP address in a different range by your ISP.

SOLUTION - Buy a router, attach it to the Ethernet port on your DSL modem, then connect your PCs to the router. All will be well.

[NostradamusZen]

Hi Folks,
I'm having a bit of a nightmare here - I'm simply trying to get a Mac to share my PC's internet connection via a BT Voyager 2091 router. We once had it working, albeit slowly and unreliably, using a DLink DWL-122 wireless USB adapter. But that ultimately ground to a halt.

Since then, I've installed Dave Networking, PC MacLan, tried every kind of setting under the sun, but still the Mac can't talk to any of my PCs or to the router - can't even ping them.

Any inspired solutions would be warmly welcomed - or even someone to share the misery!

TIA, Mark

[NooNoo]

You should have really started your own thread... but never mind

OK, so you want the mac to be wireless? What Mac OS are you using?
Have you tried a direct ethernet connection to the router? Macs are pretty good at networking.

What is the windows operating system you are using?

[NostradamusZen]

You should have really started your own thread... but never mind

OK, so you want the mac to be wireless? What Mac OS are you using?
Have you tried a direct ethernet connection to the router? Macs are pretty good at networking.

What is the windows operating system you are using?

Yep, sorry NooNoo, I'm a total noob here, and haven't quite figured out the etiquette - my first three posts have all ended up in the wrong place :(

I'm not bothered about the Mac being wireless - I've tried a direct Ethernet connection - the Mac gets itself an IP address, but still can't connect to the internet, and still can't ping the router or the PC. From memory, the Mac's running OSX 10.3, and the PC is on XP, SP2. (It's my flatmate's Mac, and he'd happily buy an Airport card, if we had any kind of confidence it might work.

Any clues to save us from our grief would be hugely appreciated. Cheers, Mark

[NooNoo]

OK, the pc may not reply because of the firewall... the router may be set to ignore pings.

It is best to check in the router web browser to see if the mac has connected (it will show the connected devices somewhere with the MAC address - media access control that is!)

What IP address does the mac get?

[NostradamusZen]

Well, Stap me!!

After months of agony, trying all sorts of mullarkey to get the chuffing Mac to talk to anything at all, when I brought it upstairs, and plugged it into the master telephone socket instead of taking the Voyager 2091 router downstairs to a secondary socket, suddenly it works. Would you Adam and Eve it?!

Thanks for your help NooNoo (it was your hint about using the router manager interface that inspired me to have 'one more try'!)

[NooNoo]

If you are in the UK, yes I would. Much strangeness goes on betwixt master and slave in BT :)