I have been trying unsuccessfully to network two computers using XP Pro SP2.Does anyone have any ideas? I have installed ICS on both and can see the other PC in MSHOME but am unable to access it "you don't have admin privileges on this PC" is one message received.

Both computers say they are connected but the 2nd one is unable to access/browse the internet.They are connected by a direct crossover cable.

Thanks in advance for any help. Pat

Re: home networking

A couple of things. You enable ICS on one only, the one with the modem attached. This creates a floppy which you can run on the other pc. At this point, it is probably upset. Check the tcp/ip properties on both. The main pc must have a fixed address - 192.168.0.1, and the second must be set to auto. If you have run ICS on both, they are probably both set the same. File sharing is disabled by default, even on shared docs. Right click shared docs, click sharing and share it (on both). After all this you should be able to access both and browse internet with both. Confirm please that we are discussing a dialup connection.

Chris B

Re: home networking

Hello Chris, I have done all you described prior to posting this query and just to let you know, this is an ADSL connection. thanks for your reply. Pat

Re: home networking

OK. A quick change of gear. I presume then that you have the ADSL modem plugged into a USB port, rather than having two network cards in the first PC. Next then. Ensure that they are both in the same workgroup. Should be if nothing was changed. To do this, right click My Network Places and select Properties. Click Advanced and Network Identification. Basic detail shows here. If the workgroups happen to be different click change and make then the same. Reboot. Back a step, when setting sharing in Shared Documents also tick "Allow network Users to change my files". Open a command prompt on both. Type ipconfig and press enter. The first PC should return 192.168.0.1. The second should return 192.168.0.something (probably 2). The default gateway should be 192.168.0.1. If the default gateway is blank, go to the network connection tcp/ip properties on the second PC, click Advanced and add a default gateway (192.168.0.1). Back in the command prompts, type ping "the other PC's ip address", e.g. on PC one, type ping 192.168.0.2 and on PC two type ping 192.168.0.1. Post back with results. If you had to enter the gateway, you might even be able to access the internet now, but I wouldn't be surprised if it still doesn't work. It will though, be patient.

Chris B

p.s. I really don't like ICS. Sure you can't get hold of a cheap hub - a four port would be great, they are only around $30. Then the ADSL plugs into the hub along with the pc's and they share really easily and don't both have to be on for either to use the internet.

Re: home networking

Hello Chris,

I have done all you suggested and successfully managed to "ping" both computers but the 2nd still can't access the internet. I had to shut down Zone Alarm as it was blocking the 1st computer from accessing the 2nd but that issue is now resolved.

At this stage I am unable to buy a hub but hopefully will be able to soon, we had a family issue so no extra funds at the moment. Thank you for your help so far :-) Pat B

Re: home networking

Ah, Zone Alarm free edition doesn't handle ICS at all, so you might as well remove it and use Windows firewall for now. Don't enable Windows firewall though until you have proved you can connect on both PC's. You say the issue is resolved, I presume you mean it is still running but you have permitted access by adding the ip address to the trusted area. This will not be enough to get you on the internet with the second machine.

Chris B