How to share one Internet connection with another computer using Vista?
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If you have more than one computer at home and have only one internet connection, you might be wondering how to use internet in both the computer.
Let’s assume there are two computers A and B. Computer A runs on Windows Vista and Computer B runs on Windows XP.
Computer A is connected to Internet via cable, so this will be connected through a LAN card. Now to connect computer B, you will need another LAN card in computer A or if you want to connect to more than one computer, you will need a wired hub.
First let me explain how to connect two computers in LAN.
Step 1: In Vista, before doing this you should enable Sharing and Discovery. You can do that by going to Control Panel -> Network and Sharing Center. Under the section ‘Sharing and Discovery, enable Network discovery, File Sharing, Public folder sharing and others if you want to. (See picture below)
Here, first network represents connection to internet and second one the local connection with another computer.
Step 2: If your LAN card that is connecting to another computer is installed, it will be shown under Control Panel -> Network Connections.
Step 3: Right click that local area connection and click properties.
Step 4: Under the tab ‘Networking’, click the properties Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
Step 5: Click the radio button to ‘Use the following IP’ and give an IP address (For example, IP address: 192.168.0.1 and Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0)
Step 6: Don’t give any other information, Click Ok and close everything.
Step 7: In computer B, make sure you enable the LAN card which is used to connect to computer ‘A’. Here you need not give any IP information as Computer ‘A’ will assign an IP address dynamically. If it’s not working make sure there are no IP assigned and change the properties to ‘Obtain an IP address automatically’.
Step 8: Test the connection by pinging. (You can do this by typing ping 192.168.0.1 or whichever is Compter ‘A’s IP in the comand prompt)
Sharing the Internet connection of computer ‘A’ with computer ‘B’:
Right click LAN card which is connected to Internet under Control Panel -> Network Connections and click ‘Sharing’ tab and enable both the options to share Internet. (Note: Unless there is another enabled LAN setting you will not be able to see the shared tab under properties)
Click Ok and close. This option is given by the Windows OS known as ICS (Internet Connection Sharing).
Now you can use Internet from both Computer A and Computer B from a single connection.
Note: You can also setup password protected internet sharing, if you insist in privacy. Read more about in the comment by Termino and following comments.
Update: If you are looking for how to share files and folders between computers in a network, read “How to Share Files and Folders between two Computers with Vista using Wireless or Wired Network?“
hi,
i m saran. i m using a broadband connection with my laptop this is not wi-fi. i want to connect my ipod touch with my laptop by using network sharing i m using windows vista. my ipod is connect with my laptop only localy but not with internet. if anybody know any solutions for it so please help me……………..
Hello, my parental units just recently got a Windows Vista being computer A. Setting up, my Windows XP had internet connection (computer B) Vista didn’t have internet connection however – sharing the same Modem and when Vista got internet – my Windows XP no longer gets internet.
How do I get Vista to provide XP with internet? Or what do I do exactly? Please help.
hi,
i have tried doing this and cannot ping the first computer. it says destination host unreachable. but i can share files between the two. the first computer is a laptop that connects wirelessly to the router, the second is a pc connecting to the laptop via lan.
when i look at the status, it says unidentified network.
please help
Thank you. This worked.
hi
i am kamran i have laptop with wirelessl connection i wan to use inter net in my pc also ,
how to use inter net from my laptop to pc
plse help me
sweatkamran@hotmail.com
hey i did the same thing but both of them has vista ,, i can share my file from comp”A” and “B”, but still can’t use the internet, computer “A” is desktop n “b” is a laptop
How to share one mobile broadband connection on one laptop to other laptops?
I have a similar URGENT need. But the XP (Pro) system is the one with the Interonnect connection (Vzn Wireless Broadband) and the client is Vista32 E. I have tried so many setups, but cannot get the Vista system to connect to the Internet thru the XP system.
Secondary question: If I DO get this working and then start a VPN on the XP system into my company, will that impact the shared Internet connection?
Thanks,
Rick
hey i followed your gui but the connection on hte other pc is still local only and im useing a crossling btween 2 vista pc’s it should work couse i can axxess the other pc local only just it dont get internet
I’ve followed the instructions to a tee, and the XP computer continues to receive the following ip address 169.254.45.117, while my computer with vista has 192.168.1.150. Any idea how to make vista assign an ip address on the same network?
Hi,
I have same problem as Colin got. My XP machine still receives 169.254.200.109 ip address. I have no idea where is it getting that ip from. I checked everything as you said, So far i have made through local network (File sharing), but no signs of internet on XP machine? Any idea how to get internet working on XP?
Thanks
I hope this will reach you. I have this laptop which uses usb sick-type modem. I also hav another laptop that has no wifi. How can I share the internet from the one with modem to the other laptop. Thanks.
i have a ZXDSL831c11 and i am using it on own computer so i want to give connection to another computer so kindly that my request to solve my problem
hi, both my laptops have vista, and i dont know what happened but i had laptop 1 connected to the cable and set up it up with ad hoc connection, so that i didn’t have to buy a router for other laptops at home to connect, and it work for just fine for about 1 1/2 year, and now “just randomly” when i connect it only says local only? can you help? i’ve been reading forums for about 10 hours now, I’ve done almost everything. It seems like quite a few people have this problem, but no one get its answered. im totally frustrated and confused!!
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Can i do the same procedure with a laptop and a PS3?
Hello , i use a win 7 and server 2003 (server 2003)is virtual pc and i want to share the internet connection in win 7 to the virtual pc server 2003 , and in win 7 ICS is in disable start and i cant start that ,any method to share the connection …
I have Windows XP and wanting to do Network Sharing with another computer in my home but the other computer has Windows Vista. Am I able to do Network Sharing with that computer or not? Please let me know and thanks.