Alright, so I'm now pulling my hair out. My network setup is as follows:

I have a cable modem that, when plugged into the computer, installs as a second NIC. So, I'm able to set up ICS by connecting both of my PCs to a switch which through both of their actual NICs. I'm sharing the cable modem connection with the NIC connection. Okay, for some reason my LAN just suddenly lost its Default Gateway. No one touched it in any way; it just randomly disappeared for the sole purpose of driving me nuts. What should I set this to? I've tried everything to fix it; system restore, restarting the ICS service (which doesn't work btw; for some reason the ICS freezes up and isn't able to stop, then won't "respond to commands") and I'm about to go crazy. Please tell me how to set up my home network using ethernet cables, two NICs, a cable modem with both a USB cable and an ethernet connection, a switch, and Windows XP. I'm so fed up with trying to figure it out I'm ready to start over.

We are Microsoft; resistance is futile.

Plug both of the computers into the switch (assuming it has more than two ports) and then plug the modem into the switch as well. Set one computer's IP to 192.168.1.2 and the other to 192.168.1.3 Set both subnets to 255.255.255.0 and then set the default gateway to the address of the modem. If you don't know this then your ISP may be able to help you. This setup should work but no promises. Also who is your ISP?

Matt

www.bbcomputing.co.uk

matt@bbcomputing.co.uk

Dude, buy a router! Better security, more reliable, faster, doesn't require the ICS hosting machine to be on to surf, very inexpensive.

ICS just isn't a good solution 90% of the time. The 10% it is when you can't use a router (dial up connection sharing).

"...but in my defense, it was dark, I was drunk, and it was delicious!"

tau_titan's recommendation did not take into account three issues. One it assumes you were assigned more than one ip address from your ISP [not a good assumption] and two this puts you RAW on the internet with no protection from port trojans [really BAD plan]. Three I don't see you mentioning a switch.

You don't mention a firewall software, antivirus or a spyware checker. Without these in place before you connected your modem to your pc, chances are you are already infected. This would explain your present issues.

Might want to download from a friends protected computer adaware/spybot and zonealarm. burn then to cd and install them at home on this pc. install and update a antivirus product.

this should get you back on line with one machine and then you can work on the ics issue again.

My mistake. A switch was mentioned. I assumed in this day and age most people have firewall and antivirus. Some ISPs are quite good and will assign you more than one IP if you ask them.

Matt

www.bbcomputing.co.uk

matt@bbcomputing.co.uk