PLEASE don't get frustrated with the length of this problem, it is probably very simple to someone with even a rudimentary knowledge of computer networking. Linksys Tech support has been no help at all on this one. I have a desktop with XP/Home which is connected to the internet via a Diva LAN/ISDN modem. I wish to establish a wireless network between a laptop running XP, and another desktop running XP. I have the following equipment from LINKSYS: Two Wireless Network adapters (WUSB 11, ver 2.5), One Wireless USB Access point (WAP 11), and a Wireless Network card for my laptop (WPC 11), I also have an Etherfast 10/100 5 port Workgroup switch (but I was told by Linksys tech support that this is not usable with an ISDN connection). The ISDN modem is plugged into my Ethernet Card on the back of my computer. The problem is that if I try and set all of this up through WinXP Network wizard, I get all sorts of weird error messages (like "network cable unplugged", or "hardware not found"). The thing is, I was able to network these PC's together with ICS when the "host computer" (the one plugged into the modem) was running Windows ME (LINKSYS's tech support guy told me this was impossible and that I was lying to him). Is there anyone out there who can walk me through, step-by-step like the barely domesticated chimpanzee that I am, a way to get all of this (including which drivers I need, what I need to get rid of on my computer, and which cable or wire goes where)to function? PLEASE, PLEASE help me as I have a lot of money sunk into all of this equipment and am willing to do anything to get it to configure properly.

Well,

Let me just explain that when XP first came out it was (in some cases still is) incapatible with most (if not all) wireless devices. That's because a major component in the wireless devices comes from one primary manufacturer, and it's that component that was incompatible with XP.

Firmware upgrades are coming out regularly for wireless devices to support XP. The trick is you have to know to go upgrade your equipment. Firmware upgardes are generally always free and generally can be found on the manufactures web page.

You'll most likely want to upgarde all your hardware components, NIC cards (both for the PCs and lapto), and the Access Point.

I don't have a Linksys (I use 3Com), and I use Win2k, but I've heard from others that Linksys does have their firmware upgrade for XP. You'll have to go to their site to check it out.

As for the tech u were talking to, he (or she) sounds clueless. ICS has been standard stuff since Win98SE and later. And the conflict between XP and wireless should have been the first thing that jumped in his (her) mind.

D

Windows-XP/Home version doesn't support ICS. And as D said, Windows 98, ME, 2000 and XP/Professional all do support ICS. So, if you use any of the latter you should be fine.