Adhoc network - Problems if not created by Vista

[Taless]

Hi. I hope this is the right place to post, as I believe it is something to do with Windows Vista.

These are the computers at my home:

1. Desktop - Windows XP Pro, Internet Gateway (connects to broadband), Linksys WUSB11 v2.8

2. Notebook - Windows XP Pro, Intel 2200BG

3. Notebook (Newcomer) - Windows Vista Home Premium, Intel 3945ABG

All these while, the 1st and 2nd computers have been linked in an ad-hoc way, such that the notebook can use the internet.

The newcomer came, and it has problems. After connecting to the existing network, the new notebook will be fine for a moment (Local & Internet for 1 min?, but variable time), then after a while, the Network and Sharing Centre will show that there is Limited Connectivity, with Windows Vista trying to 're-identify' the connection. I have tried by using manual IP addresses (as opposed to DHCP) but it doesnt help. The connection between 1 and 2 remains unaffected though.

I have tried updating drivers to the newest, turn off power saving, remove WEP, turn of firewall etc., bring computers close to one another but doesn't help.

Today, I tried to create an ad-hoc network, starting from 3. 1 then connects to 3. And voila! The connection for 3 is very very stable, no drops or anything.

I experimented with this many times and found that it is reproducible, so not a random effect. If 1 were to initiate the network, the problem starts again.

Is there a way to go around this? I want everything to be as 'magical' as possible - wouldn't want the user 3 interrupting the 'entire network' just so that 3 could work!

Thanks!!!

Edited June 19, 2007 by Taless