big *** problem with wireless network?

Question

I am trying to share internet between a desktop pc and a laptop.The desktop is connected to a speedtouch DSL modem via ethernet.
Windows XP is on the desktop and vista on the laptop.

Here's the problem: The wireless link works fine but there is no internet on the laptop.I also notice that there was no IP address shown (was set to receive IP automatically) on the monitor/config tool that came with the card (on the desktop)..so I disabled that tool (it has that option) and switched to Windows zero config tool..but when I try to turn on internet sharing it tells me that at least one protocol must be installed and then when i try to install tcp/ip I get an error "could not add requested component. The error is: 0x8004A021".

Is there any way to share internet without ICS?
ANY help will be greatly appreciated..I'm close to giving up.

I was hoping to avoid the cost of a router/AP.I mean just 2 pc's doesnt really need an AP.

essbebe, The laptop has an internal Intel PRO(cant remember model) card.The DSL modem is connected to the desktop via ethernet(as I stated) and both PC and laptop work fine when connected directly to DSL modem via ethernet.Haven't tried ipconfig yet..will post details later.

The IP address assigned to the desktop WLAN is 169.254.41.71..subnet 255.255.0.0

As I said earlier the wireless ADHOC link between the desktop PC USB wireless adapter and laptop internal adapter works fine but there is no internet.There are wireless routers for $30??
Are these good quality?

Does the wireless router make ICS unnecessary?

Answer 1

Put a wireless router between the desktop machine and the DSL modem, then the laptop can talk directly to the router. This is better than ICS for two reasons:

1. The desktop machine doesn't have to be running for the laptop to run.
2. Should a problem take out the desktop machine, the laptop can come to its rescue.

My experience down this path also showed that the remote machine's throughput picked up considerably when I ditched ICS.

Answer 2

Does your desktop have a wireless card? If not where do you expect to find a wireless signal that is connected to your DSL modem?

If your desktop has a wireless card (as well as ethernet) you will have to enable ICS between your ethernet card and the wireless card in your desktop.
Then you have an "AP" that your laptop can connect into. You can use AD HOC networking to complete the setup.

You can not connect wireless to anything except an "AP" that "AP" can be a router or another wireless card installed in a computer setup with Internet Connection sharing. but there has to be some AP somewhere for you to connect too. Otherwise there is nothing generating a wireless signal for your laptop to see!

It is much easier and quicker to get a $30 wireless router!
Wireless does require two ends.. your laptop supplies only one!

ADDED
A router will NOT REQUIRE ICS to be enabled. It is an independant device and works by itself. Either computer can then access the internet without having the other machine even turned on!

Answer 3

You don't have wireless internet in your home. You could call your Internet Service Provider and they can come and Install wireless internet in your home for an additional fee (usually around $5 a month since you already have internet) or you could get a wireless router (one time fee around 60 bucks) and install it on your computer. I'm sure there are other possibilities to share the internet between two computers that I don't know off. I also have a xp desktop and vista laptop and share the internet through a router.

Answer 4

1 Laptop is not getting .connected to Internet
Does it have a wireless LAN adapter card? model?
2. Your modem is it wireless ? Model/make.
3. How far is the laptop from the Modem ?
Connect Desktop/ laptop computers to the modem
directly one by one and test you get connected.
4.Start/All Programs/Accessories/Communications
Internet Connection Wizard. Program each computer.
5. Check IP configuration.
start run ipconfig ( or start run cmd ipconfig)
6. The IP address should be different.
Please add details here.

Answer 5

Well if you plan on networking, go for linksys it has a web setting that you can adjust and secure, there are two types one is a linksys wireless router that has no ethernet plug at the back and one that has one, I suggest buying the one with the ethernet plug it comes with a manual, you just need a network adapter for the other pc and the other one with a modem with an ethernet cable....or maybe go on wireless...