Hello, I have an xp pro machine on a network routed by another xp pro machine. Uses a standard hub to connect. I can visit all sites on the web except anything having to do with the Microsoft sites including Windows Update site. Any help on how to allow the site to reach the networked XP?

MrSkott

I maybe wrong but I don't think this can be done with 2 computers hooked in series (internet connection sharing). There is certain info that a microsoft site looks for and I'm not sure it can see through one machine into another. If the computers were hooked in parallel (through a router acting as a central hub) then microsoft can see 2 independant computers.

You should consider a router anyway... they're cheap, easy to install, and all computers can still be networked but operate more independantly at the same time.

Could also just be a firewall setting. I have three XP machines. One acts as host using a proxyserver for the other two which are connected via a switching hub. If firewall(Zonealarm) is enabled in the client machines then they get error message when trying to get win updates. Disable the firewall for the duration of update session and re-enable after the job is done.

If you are using ICS then it may be that the Msoft update server just cannot see the client machine. I've never used ICS. Proxy does the job so much better.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.
Teach him to fish and you feed him for life.

How would one set up the primary XP machine as a proxy server? Does it require third party software? Such as winroute. Would be interested in setting up that way to solve these issues.

Thanks to both of you for responding!

Skott

I use 602Lansuite. It has a version that's free for up to 5 users in non-commercial environment.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.
Teach him to fish and you feed him for life.