Vista laptop to the internet via a XP Pro desktop

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jay
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J

Jay

In 2 days time I take possesion of my new laptop. Vista Business.
At home I have a desktop PC running XP Pro.
The desktop has a broadband connection (non wireless).
It doesn't connect via a router but via a USB single user ADSL modem.
How can I connect to the net from the laptop using the broadband
connection on my desktop pc?
Hardwire or wireless solution? Hardware required? OS setups/configs?
Many thanks.
 
Does the modem have an ethernet jack? If so, you could try
connecting the laptop to that ethernet jack, but eventually
you'll want to get a wireless router. On sale, you can often get a
decent one for $20 after rebate.

Gary VanderMolen
 
In 2 days time I take possesion of my new laptop. Vista Business.
At home I have a desktop PC running XP Pro.
The desktop has a broadband connection (non wireless).
It doesn't connect via a router but via a USB single user ADSL modem.
How can I connect to the net from the laptop using the broadband
connection on my desktop pc?
Hardwire or wireless solution? Hardware required? OS setups/configs?
Many thanks.
Click to expand...

Jay,

Does the desktop computer have an Ethernet adapter? You'll need one. You'll
use the desktop as a router, using ICS, connecting to the laptop by a cross-over
Ethernet cable.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/connecting-two-computers-with.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/connecting-two-computers-with.html

A better solution would be to get a WiFi router, and run the two computers as
peers, but that would require a modem with Ethernet, not USB.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better.html

You could replace the Ethernet adapter in the desktop, and the cable, with a
WiFi adapter in the desktop. This will be a bit more work though. If you
prefer a wireless solution, let us know.
 
Does the modem have an ethernet jack? If so, you could try
connecting the laptop to that ethernet jack, but eventually
you'll want to get a wireless router. On sale, you can often get a
decent one for $20 after rebate.

Gary VanderMolen





- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

Nope, the modem has a phone jack and a fixed cable going to usb on my
pc
 
In 2 days time I take possesion of my new laptop. Vista Business.
At home I have a desktop PC running XP Pro.
The desktop has a broadband connection (non wireless).
It doesn't connect via a router but via a USB single user ADSL modem.
How can I connect to the net from the laptop using the broadband
connection on my desktop pc?
Hardwire or wireless solution? Hardware required? OS setups/configs?
Many thanks.
Click to expand...

Jay,

Does the desktop computer have an Ethernet adapter? You'll need one. You'll
use the desktop as a router, using ICS, connecting to the laptop by a cross-over
Ethernet cable.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/connecting-two-computers-with.html>http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/connecting-two-computers-with.html

A better solution would be to get a WiFi router, and run the two computers as
peers, but that would require a modem with Ethernet, not USB.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better...>http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better...

You could replace the Ethernet adapter in the desktop, and the cable, with a
WiFi adapter in the desktop. This will be a bit more work though. If you
prefer a wireless solution, let us know.

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP [Windows - Networking]http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll check out those URLs when I get a chance.
Wireless would be good.
Simple is best. I'm a software person :)

The way i pictured it was 2 wireless NICs with the laptop "talking" to
the PC and using it to springboard onto the web.
Not that simple?
 
In 2 days time I take possesion of my new laptop. Vista Business.
At home I have a desktop PC running XP Pro.
The desktop has a broadband connection (non wireless).
It doesn't connect via a router but via a USB single user ADSL modem.
How can I connect to the net from the laptop using the broadband
connection on my desktop pc?
Hardwire or wireless solution? Hardware required? OS setups/configs?
Many thanks.
Click to expand...

Jay,

Does the desktop computer have an Ethernet adapter? You'll need one. You'll
use the desktop as a router, using ICS, connecting to the laptop by a cross-over
Ethernet cable.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/connecting-two-computers-with.html>http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/connecting-two-computers-with.html

A better solution would be to get a WiFi router, and run the two computers as
peers, but that would require a modem with Ethernet, not USB.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better...>http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better...

You could replace the Ethernet adapter in the desktop, and the cable, with a
WiFi adapter in the desktop. This will be a bit more work though. If you
prefer a wireless solution, let us know.

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP [Windows - Networking]http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll check out those URLs when I get a chance.
Wireless would be good.
Simple is best. I'm a software person :)

The way i pictured it was 2 wireless NICs with the laptop "talking" to
the PC and using it to springboard onto the web.
Not that simple?
Click to expand...

Wireless, in the long run, is a better use of resources. How many folks want to
buy a portable computer, then restrict themselves to using a cable?

But wireless on a LAN, starting with a USB broadband modem, will be a pain in
the ass.

You have 2 options here.
1) Setup a WiFi router as an access point / bridge, connected to the desktop.
If you connect the desktop to the router by Ethernet, the router becomes a
bridge. If connected by WiFi, the router becomes an access point. You'll be
using ICS in the desktop, and connecting ICS as a WiFi server is a known
challenge.
2) Connect both computers using Wifi without a router. Again, when ICS is
involved, this will be a challenge. This is the picture that you just
mentioned. It looks simple.

See MS-MVP Barbara Bowman advice:
<http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/bowman_02april08.mspx>
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/bowman_02april08.mspx

If at all possible, my preference would be for you to get a broadband modem that
has an Ethernet port, get a WiFi router, and setup a standard WiFi LAN. I'll
advise you, any way that you decide to go, though.
 
Actually, there's another possibility. What sort of internet service do you
have? Can you contact them and see if they have a "normal cable modem"
available? If not, consider a different provider.

If you can get a normal cable modem that has a network port, then run that
into a wired/wireless router ($20 on a good day, other days cost more). Then
you can connect your two PCs, and any PCs a visitor might bring...

Dana Cline - MCE MVP

Jay said:
In 2 days time I take possesion of my new laptop. Vista Business.
At home I have a desktop PC running XP Pro.
The desktop has a broadband connection (non wireless).
It doesn't connect via a router but via a USB single user ADSL modem.
How can I connect to the net from the laptop using the broadband
connection on my desktop pc?
Hardwire or wireless solution? Hardware required? OS setups/configs?
Many thanks.
Click to expand...

Jay,

Does the desktop computer have an Ethernet adapter? You'll need one.
You'll
use the desktop as a router, using ICS, connecting to the laptop by a
cross-over
Ethernet cable.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/connecting-two-computers-with.html>http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/connecting-two-computers-with.html

A better solution would be to get a WiFi router, and run the two
computers as
peers, but that would require a modem with Ethernet, not USB.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better...>http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better...

You could replace the Ethernet adapter in the desktop, and the cable,
with a
WiFi adapter in the desktop. This will be a bit more work though. If
you
prefer a wireless solution, let us know.

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP [Windows - Networking]http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll check out those URLs when I get a chance.
Wireless would be good.
Simple is best. I'm a software person :)

The way i pictured it was 2 wireless NICs with the laptop "talking" to
the PC and using it to springboard onto the web.
Not that simple?
Click to expand...
 
Jay said:
The way i pictured it was 2 wireless NICs with the laptop "talking" to
the PC and using it to springboard onto the web.
Click to expand...

That would be a very inefficient and problematic way of doing it (ICS).
It would also require you to leave the desktop PC on anytime you
wanted to use the laptop.
 
Chuck said:
If at all possible, my preference would be for you to get a broadband modem that
has an Ethernet port, get a WiFi router, and setup a standard WiFi LAN. I'll
advise you, any way that you decide to go, though.
Click to expand...

That would also be my recommendation on how to do it.
As Dana indicated, you may be able to talk your cable provider into
swapping your modem for a standard one with an Ethernet jack.
 
That would also be my recommendation on how to do it.
As Dana indicated, you may be able to talk your cable provider into
swapping your modem for a standard one with an Ethernet jack.
Click to expand...

Gary,

My personal preference would be to take the entire ICS procedure, and pop up a
window saying "Get a NAT router".

Some people have different needs and opinions, so I try to offer alternatives.
 
That would be a very inefficient and problematic way of doing it (ICS).
It would also require you to leave the desktop PC on anytime you
wanted to use the laptop.
Click to expand...

Thanks to all, apologies for the delat getting back.
The laptop arrived only today. I'm going to get to grips with Vista
itselff before plunging into networking it
 
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