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?“
Nice, very useful for my particular situation where my parents refuse to get a good enough wireless router. Thank you.
Hi brother this is an awesome post…
thankz for the help bro..
i was wondering how to use my bsnl broadband to my pc and laptop simultaneously.. this might hepls bro,,,
anyways ur blog design is too kool…
u have hosted ur blog on wordpress or blogger???
i am looking for how to build a inline comment form like this one,,,,, Wow yaaar comment box is awesome…
typing here and priview at the bottom…
@Techcruser, I have hosted using Wordpress and let me know if you are able to use this tip
Thanks! If had only read your tips 2 days before.. Spend 2 days figuring it out. Not. Even contemplated buying a Router and 4 USB adapters (total cost about 500 euro). Now it works like a breeze.
I’ll bookmark this site.
Ton Meijers Netherlands.
I have 4 system at home and 1 boardband connection with 1 static ip address . i want to make the 1 computer as a router or a gateway for other 3 computers. so plz help me out how i can make it ?…
I need help on step by step configuring out A and B computers using both Windows XP on how to connect pc-A to the internet through another pc-B, but pc-B is using only wireless USB network adapter. PC-A and PC-B is connected with 4-port wired router hub. They’re both setup link already. But I need help step by step setup direction. Any one could help me?
how do you get Public folder sharing and printer sharing on Read only, not password required? there is no option for me that will allow free access, only password -_- i hate vista so much.
p.s my internet sharing isnt working at all. both computers can ping each other, both computers sending and recieving, vista(internet host) can view files on XP leech computer, XP cant access Vista AT ALL yet can ping etc..
internet sharing is enabled for the right connection..
my lord im actually a little suicidal over this. =\
ok, everything is set up. ICS and ICF are enabled on pc-b and automatically shows the (LAN) Local Area Network. The pc-B has a ping status of 192.168.1.1 on Default Gateway and IP of 192.168.1.4, which the computer automatically obtained and I leave it blank. The pc-A and pc-B is sharing folders and I can transfer files/folders. But the only thing is when I click Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox2, Netscape Navigator V9.0b2 on pc-A, isn’t that supposed to go through pc-B and access internet? I have Zone Alarm and Norton Internet Security 2007, plus the Win XP Firewall (ICF) enabled. ZoneAlarm, I configured to access trusted Zone for LAN accessible folders. Folders are showing and linking to both pc-A & pc-B. PC-B is using wireless USB network adapter and accessible through internet. But pc-A can’t get access through the Internet passing through pc-B first. Both computers are using Windows XP. Anyone could help me? Let me know.
dear all
in my office we are using 10 computers with internet/sharing through wireless router.
my Personel assistant have all main data’s with his computer.now i want to hide his computer from the network,(no one should cannot see my personel assistants computer is on or not)
please give me a feedback.
i want to connect six computers together so they can share internet using network interface card.i want to setup an internet connection for the computer,where other computer can access this internet via the other computer.
hi,
the problem with me is that my case is opposite. the computer having xp is connected to internet and if i connect my vista laptop to the computer, my laptop does’nt pickup anything. can u explain the procedure for that please.
hi
as u told i have done the settings but i cannot connect the
internet to my lan computer,
so plz can u help in this matter,
thanking you
guls
HELLO , I DID EVERYTHING AND NOW I CAN SEE THE THE NAME OF THE CONNECTION ON THE 2 COMPUTERS BUT WHAT SETTINGS SHOULD I DO NEXT TO LET MY INTERNET EXPLORER WORK 10X
I tried that, but as soon as I click close after checking ICS, it says ” An error ocured while ICS was being enabled”!!
Any idea??
Nick… did you ever find a solution to your problem? I am having the exact same issue and was wondering if you have resolved it yet. Let me know please thank you.
Sir I have my cyber cafe.. I cant Share Internet in vista to my other computer having Xp help me out..
I used to have a desktop and a laptop (wireless) set up where both standalone machines could access the internet independetly.. I decided (?) to set up a network so I could transfer files between them.. So this is all working ok and both can access to the internet…
The problem is unless the desktop is on the laptop cannot access the internet even though it sees the wireless network (which has been renamed slightly) it will not connect unless the desktop is on ..????????
Both are XP Desktop Cat 5 to router
Laptop Wireless /….
Thanks.. PT
@Peter White, Actually you could have transferred files even when you had independent access to internet through the router…I mean like what you had in the beginning…Only thing is that you got to enable file sharing and put your files in shared folders…So you will be able to access the shared files from other computers which use the same router…
just what i needed
thank you
and thank google…
Very useful though I am using XP! Vista and XP have the same logic.
Thank you so much
Hello,
I have a computer, and I connect to the internet with a cable (username and password), but when my friend come to my house, I unplug the cable from my computer, and I plug it on my friend’s laptop, I add a broadband connection, I enter my username and password, and I click connect, and while connecting, it will stop when trying to verify my username and password.
So, I can connect to my brooadband connection from my computer, but I can’t connect it from my friend’s laptop..
can someone help me by saying how can I connect from my friend’s laptop??? what should I do?
NB: I’m sure that I’m writing my username and password correctly
Thank you
I want to connect another computer via internet like my computer in delhi and another computer in Gurgaon so how can i connect the computer please tell me
@Sumit Goel, You have to use remote desktop connection through internet. You may not be able to use the full feature of remote desktop in OS like Vitsa Basic or Premium. But with Vitsa Ultimate or Business you will be able to experience all the features.
Also you can use features like GoToMyPC.com etc…these may be easier but comes with a cost…
i have two computers and one bsnl broad band connection.
i want to share the internet connection in second computer using lan cards.
the computer which has the net connection is installed with windows server 2003 sp2 and the second computer has windows xp as operating system.
how do i share it?
This is very useful, except i need it the other way around. Where computer A has XP and is trying to share with computer B which has Vista.
I would appreciate it very much for your help.
thank you for that useful tip
but i have another question:i have Road Runner at home, and it’s in my laptop already, and my laptop has a wireless signal thing built in it.but then i took roadtrip to another state to my aunt’s house, and she has comcast :O i wanted to connect to her network with her modem, but it wouldn’t work. i tried turning off the modem, unplugging the cable, wait 10secs, then put it on againthat didn’t worki reseted the local area connection thing, but still..then, i tried connecting to her broadband connection ISP thing with her username and password, but it didn’t work..soo, how do you connect to a different network of someone else’s with a different computer?how do i change the firewall settings?
@Melissa, Most of the things should be the same. In XP, you have to enable Internet Sharing Mode and you should be able to work it through.
@Abby, It may be for lots of reasons… There maybe a limit to which the number of computers connected to the wireless modem at a time. In some cases, the machined ids maybe registered and you can try getting internet by using LAN card. Or try connecting your computer to the modem using LAN card for the first time and then try using wireless…These are some that I can think of and it varies highly depending on the ISP, so the best would be to contact them…Hope this helps…
Hey,
Really neat post – but what about the other way? I actually have a laptop which runs Vista and a desktop running XP. For some unbeknownst reason, I can’t connect to my landlady’s DSL connection (broadcasted wirelessly) through Vista; however, I can connect to it using my desktop (running XP).
I do have a cross-wire cable to directly connect the two for a LAN connection…but how do I configure the settings so I can share my internet connection on the desktop (XP) to the laptop (Vista)?
Hi,
I have two laptops with XP and Vista home premium. one statis IP with broadband connection. Now I have to connect internet on both laptop. I hv tried and configured using wireless newtwork, then it gives IP conflict. Please suggest whether I have to keep IP different for both Laptops?
@Mithilesh Kumar, Yeah you have to give different IP address
here’s my case..my PC A(VISTA LAPTOP) using a wireless connection and i want to connect my PC B(XP LAPTO) THROUgh cross-over wire. i try to connect them but the response was just a local and limited connection.what will i do to connect my PC b to internet and to connect my PC B to PC A…comment will be appreciated…tnx
How can I disconnect an ad hoc computer to computer. This seem to disable my connection to the internet on my laptop (Acer Aspire 5570Z).
sir i want to share my pc document to my laptop how do i connect it sir,and i want to connect my pc to a broadband how do i connect it sir.
[...] back I wrote the post how to share internet connection with another computer using vista. That helps to understand how to share internet between computers if you don’t have a wireless [...]
@abu, If you are looking for how to share files and folders between computers, read my new post on “How to Share Files and Folders between two Computers with Vista using Wireless or Wired Network?“
i got a quick question can two computer share a connection to the internet using only wireless network adapters? less say one is a linksys and the other is a belkin wireless adapter and i want to share the computer that has the linksys adapter with the one that has the belkin is it possible? and would there be anything i would have to do to set it up other than install the linksys wireless adapter drives and the belkin drives on the other computer and then just search for are wireless connection we created or no? please respond i have look been looking for away to do this but i wasn’t sure how or if it would even work. i dont want to have to use a wireless router if at all possible. i would like to bypass that part all together just using the wireless network adapters is all. thank you for your time and consideration on this matter
i have connected my internet connection through usb adsl modem
in my system i am having 6 usb port and one lancard
i have shared my internet connection with (desktop pc) usb port adsl broadband connection i make a dail up
in which, i have shared my internet connection in that system i have one lancard
i need want to access internet through lancrad to other desktop pc windows xp professional sp2
please help me step by step and give me link of website to get help and step by step
@mdsami, You can use the same article to connect. First connect Computer A with USB and make sure internet is working. Connect computer B with LAN card and opt for ICS (Internet connection sharing). Now Computer A will act like a server and follow the same steps in the article. You should be able to connect.
Hi, still can’t get access to the internet from my PC-A but the PC-B is excellently accessing the internet. Ok, the host PC-B is using a wireless USB adapter, which the properties of obtain automatically an IP address and the DNS server too. On host PC-B, if I enabled ICS on properties of Wireless USB adapter (an external adapter – the one that gets to the internet), the internal network adapter will automatically obtain an IP address of 192.168.0.1 , it’s programmed that way, and the DNS server is blank. The ICF is not enabled yet until everything is ready. But I have ZoneAlarm Firewall installed both PC-A and PC-B and is configured accessing trusted zone, which are showing each other’s data file and can transfer date files and folders to each other.
Now, in pinging to each other, if the PC-A (client computer), the network adapter’s properties is in obtain automatically and the DNS server, that can’t get ping to the host computer (PC-B) the same as the client computer (PC-A). I tried to ping each other but both don’t reply pinging each other because the client computer is on obtained IP address automatically. If I obtained IP address manually on the client computer (PC-A) such as 192.168.0.x (where x from 2 to 254, your choice), and the default gateway and the preferred DNS is on 192.168.01 and the alternate DNS server must not be the same the last octet number which must be the IP address of the wireless USB adapter (but not sure this alternate DNS server why?), they do both get pinging to each other, the host computer and the client computer. They do both replying and pinging to each other. The good thing is on the client computer on the task bar lower right hand corner it appears the icon connection wireless internet connection from the host computer. But the problem is the PC-A client computer still can’t get access to the internet through PC-B host computer in sharing one internet line.
It shows in the indicator top right corner of ZoneAlarm. It says listening to port numbers on Trusted Zone only and is accessible data transfers to both computers. Have no idea on the alert logs Viewer Tab Menu, there is a chart on Firewall or the program tab. There is also indicates each TCP or Program tells also if is being block or allowed on outgoing or incoming and have no idea where to access to allow. Only I can control the program on the program menu tab that what softwares or device or the program files to allow or block on the internet access or internet server. Anyone, knows about ZoneAlarm? Anyone knows about troubleshooting after ICS is enabled? Let me know. Thanks.
hi,sir i under standed that sharing between com A and com B with two lan cards and one interface (cat5 cable).
my com A having ip address with having dns and gateway,this is host com. And where should i give the ip which you told 192.168.0.1 and sub 255.255.255.0. If i removed my ip and give this ip,in host pc also i am not getting internet.And i am using xp in both computers. (i am using totally 3lan cards perfectly instaled, i am getting file sharing in my both pc’s working fine.)
Bhavani Prasad:
Using windows XP on both ComA and ComB with using only one router hub.
Com A must have 2 Lan cards, 1-A Lan card (external LAN card) must connect to DSL modem. 1-B Lan card (internal LAN card) connect to router hub. Com B has one LAN card and connect CAT 5 cable to LAN card going to router hub.
1A Lan card (that connects to the DSL modem to access internet) properties on TCP/IP properties both obtain IP address and DNS server address must be on obtain automatically. On LAN connection properties, there are General, Authentication, and Advanced Tab. Click the Advanced Tab. You’ll see the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). Check the box on “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.” Then there will show a second box that you must choose the second 1B LAN card (that’s Local Area Connection). Since or if you check the box on ICS, it will automatically create 192.168.0.1 on the second 1B LAN card’s TCP/IP properties on IP address (192.168.0.1)and subnet (255.255.255.0). I’m positive you are ready to access the internet for Com A.
On Com B’s LAN card, for the properties , you must create an IP address; for the IP address, subnet, and default gateway. IP address is 192.168.0.x (where x is from 2 to 254, your choice). Subnet mask is 255.255.255.0. The Preferred DNS server and the default gateway must be the same which is 192.168.0.1. The Alternate DNS server must be the IP address of the host computer’s 1-A LAN card’s TCP/IP (IP address) properties by checking the status (on the support tab) or by typing it on DOS command windows, ipconfig and then press enter. I’m sure you will enjoy and have fun. Enjoy the fun.
BHavani Prasad:
Or if you want telephone line goes to the DSL modem then DSL modem goes to router hub then if you have 8 or 4 ports of router hub, connect all com A and com B to the router hub ports and all or both can go to internet and can even transfers and shares files and folders. There is no host computer. each computer has only one LAN card and both is obtain IP address automatically. But you need each computer must have third product firewall to prevent from hackers accessing your computer. Use any firewall product softwares, ZoneAlarm, Norton Internet Security, and etc. I’m sure you will enjoy everything. Enjoy the fun!!!
Bhavani Prasad:
if your Com A (host computer) has a third product software firewall. You need to adjust it to Medium so the Com B can access to the internet. Also, you can click the box in the ICF (Internet Connection Firewall). If the Com B can’t get access to the internet then uncheck the box on the ICF. But your host will be vulnerable and expose to the internet normally and naturally but Internet Zone cannot shared files and folders on your Com A only your Com B. Ok enjoy the fun.
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Dear Sir,
I want to connect two laptops running Vista Home Premium (Comp -A)and Windows Xp (Comp-B).Comp A will connect to internet via USB port and it will connect to Comp B via ethernet port.
Now when i try to setup connection as per ur guide the Comp B does not Get the IP assigned automatically.thus the connection does not get setup.even pinging does not work. I want to connect both the Laptops to internet using one modem only.
Plzz Reply.
@Harsh, As per step 7 make sure that ‘Obtain an IP address automatically’ is selected. I believe if thats the case it should work if that LAN card in your computer is working properly. (Try connecting computer B to internet directly and confirm if its LAN card is working)
Or else try to give the IP manually and check if it works. In case if you had given 192.168.0.1 as the IP in your computer A, give 192.168.0.2 in your computer B and give the same subnet mask.
ThanX for the reply.My connection got setup as per ur guide ie the IP got assigned automatically.But I am unable to connect to Internet via Comp B ie the XP Comp.I can even see internet gateway on Comp B ,but on entering an address in IE it gives error that server cannot be found. Plz Help.
my problem is that suddenly the sharing goes of and i am not able to re-establish the sharing
i am running a cyber ad my customer are going bcz of this unpredictable lose of connection
can u tell me how to secure my net sharing connection
plz lt me know some solution
thanks
mail me if u can help me
HI I FOUND THAT WHAT YOU SAID DID HELP ME SORT THINGS OUT
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