I'm trying to set up home network for the first time. I have 2 PC's (WinXP Home desktop and Win98 laptop) both connected by their ethernet adapters to a Linksys DSL Gateway/4-port router. Both can access the internet without any problems via the DSL Router. Although dial-up modems are fitted to both PC's they are not used except in emergency ( i.e. DSL problems).

I started the Network Setup Wizard on the XP PC and was surprised to get the message: The Wizard found a shared Internet connection on the computer "Unknown Internet Connection Sharing Device" and it recommended that I should use it. This didn't make sense to me (since I was expecting to chose "...connects through a residential gateway....") and, until I can determine why I get this odd message, I've taken the coward's way out and gone no further! I've no idea what this "unknown device" is, unless the Wizard is treating the Router itself as a computer.

The other odd thing is that, after starting the Wizard, when I open Control Panel > Network Connections I see a "new" connection under Internet Gateway that shows a disabled Internet connection. Obvioulsy the "proper" connection is through the router. When I re-boot the PC, this "new" connection disappears from Network Connections and I'm just left with the active LAN connection.

I would be really grateful if someone out there could help me on this one. Obviously I don't want to kill off what is a perfectly good Internet connection via the router.

Regards, Johngie

Why are you running the setup wizard if both PCs can already access the net OK?

XP likes to run wizards every time you blink and I've seen it go through the rigamole you are experiencing. That is why I hate XP. Also, don't get hung up on the terminology that XP uses. It is confusing in its attempt to be user-friendly.

Bottom line: your stuff works as it is, so what is it that you are trying to change/accomplish?

I'm trying to set a network to enable printer and file sharing.

Johngie

Someone else may be able to help you with the XP wizards, but I recommend doing it manually:

• Install printer
  
• In control panel/printers, right-click on the printer
  
• In the sharing tab, enable sharing and give it a name
  
• On the same tab, enable drivers for the other OS
  
• Go to the client machine, navigate to the host machine/printer
  
• Right-click on that printer and "install" it on the client machine (not sure which word is right here)
  

hello how i install win xp on my network ..i have 10 pc on my network

The Windows XP experts are over here

I'm trying to set up home network for the first time. I have 2 PC's (WinXP Home desktop and Win98 laptop) both connected by their ethernet adapters to a Linksys DSL Gateway/4-port router. Both can access the internet without any problems via the DSL Router. Although dial-up modems are fitted to both PC's they are not used except in emergency ( i.e. DSL problems).

I started the Network Setup Wizard on the XP PC and was surprised to get the message: The Wizard found a shared Internet connection on the computer "Unknown Internet Connection Sharing Device" and it recommended that I should use it. This didn't make sense to me (since I was expecting to chose "...connects through a residential gateway....") and, until I can determine why I get this odd message, I've taken the coward's way out and gone no further! I've no idea what this "unknown device" is, unless the Wizard is treating the Router itself as a computer.

The other odd thing is that, after starting the Wizard, when I open Control Panel > Network Connections I see a "new" connection under Internet Gateway that shows a disabled Internet connection. Obvioulsy the "proper" connection is through the router. When I re-boot the PC, this "new" connection disappears from Network Connections and I'm just left with the active LAN connection.

I would be really grateful if someone out there could help me on this one. Obviously I don't want to kill off what is a perfectly good Internet connection via the router.

Regards, Johngie

This is a typical message when you have ICS (Internet Connection Sharing)enable on one comp,(and/or upnp)